Districts · Douala
Douala by district
Bonanjo (the old administrative quarter, the cathedral and the government streets) lies south-west near the river; Akwa (hotels, banks, restaurants) is the commercial centre to its north-east; Bonapriso is the quieter residential district to the south; Mboppi and New Bell lie east and are busy market districts; Bonabéri is across the Wouri bridge.
About these names
Addresses work by quartier and landmark more than by house number: tell the driver the district and a nearby landmark, and keep a screenshot of a map pin.
- BonanjoseeSuits: A morning of sightsThe colonial-era administrative quarter: cathedral, Place du Gouvernement, the palace and the art centre. Quiet after offices close.5 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- AkwasleepeatSuits: First-time visitors, business tripsHotels, banks, supermarkets and restaurants along the Boulevard de la Liberté; busy and noisy, and best left by car after dark.1 sights · 2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- BonaprisosleepeatSuits: A calmer base and dinnersLeafy residential streets with restaurants, embassies and consulates; a quieter place to sleep, though everything else is a car ride.2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Mboppi and New BellseeSuits: Market trips with a driverLarge, crowded market districts east of the centre; go early with a car, leave valuables at the hotel.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Deidoskip as a baseSuits: Local life, Sawa heritageAn old Duala quarter by the river; not set up for first-time visitors, go only with a local contact.District guide →
- Bonabériskip as a baseSuits: Road links northAcross the Wouri bridge; traffic-choked and a transport point rather than a sightseeing stop.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Bonamoussadi and Makepeskip as a baseSuits: Residents and long staysNewer residential districts with restaurants and bars, far from the centre; a car ride with traffic risk.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Douala International Airport (DLA) (30–60 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Deido, Bonabéri, Bonamoussadi and Makepe. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Bonanjo: The colonial-era administrative quarter: cathedral, Place du Gouvernement, the palace and the art centre. Quiet after offices close. Suits: A morning of sights.
- Akwa: Hotels, banks, supermarkets and restaurants along the Boulevard de la Liberté; busy and noisy, and best left by car after dark. Suits: First-time visitors, business trips. Price band $$.
- Bonapriso: Leafy residential streets with restaurants, embassies and consulates; a quieter place to sleep, though everything else is a car ride. Suits: A calmer base and dinners. Price band $$$.
- Mboppi and New Bell: Large, crowded market districts east of the centre; go early with a car, leave valuables at the hotel. Suits: Market trips with a driver.
- Deido: An old Duala quarter by the river; not set up for first-time visitors, go only with a local contact. Suits: Local life, Sawa heritage.
- Bonabéri: Across the Wouri bridge; traffic-choked and a transport point rather than a sightseeing stop. Suits: Road links north.
- Bonamoussadi and Makepe: Newer residential districts with restaurants and bars, far from the centre; a car ride with traffic risk. Suits: Residents and long stays.
- Sleep area Akwa: suits First-time visitors, business trips, price band $$.
- Sleep area Bonapriso: suits A calmer base and dinners, price band $$$.
- Douala International Airport (DLA), 30–60 min by the usual route.