Major city · Cameroon
Garoua
Spend 1–2 days in Garoua: see the Grand Mosque, public garden and market, then rest in a central hotel.
Garoua is a river port in northern Cameroon, the third‑largest city. Its main sights are clustered near the centre and can be visited in a half‑day each, so a short stay of one to two days is enough.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XAF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry season, cooler temperatures)
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season, heavy floods)
- Airport
- GOU
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 8Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Sort the visa before the flight
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- Central Africa ↗Sort the visa before the flight: none of the seven countries reliably issues tourist visas on arrival to Western passports, and e-visas here are tied to named airports.
- Central Africa ↗Carry the original yellow fever vaccination certificate in your hand luggage; health desks at every Central African airport ask for it, and a missing card can mean refusal or a jab at the desk.
- Central Africa ↗Before booking anything in or near the DRC, read the WHO Ebola situation page and your own government's health notice: the 2026 outbreak brought quarantine and boarding rules for people who have been in the DRC.
- Cameroon ↗Apply for the Cameroon e-visa on evisacam.cm and fly into Douala or Yaoundé; arrivals by land or sea need a visa stamped by an embassy beforehand.
- Cameroon ↗Check your government's advice region by region: the Far North, North-West and South-West regions, Bakassi and strips along the Nigeria, Chad and CAR borders carry advice against all travel.
- Cameroon ↗Book a travel-clinic visit several weeks ahead: malaria prevention is needed everywhere in Cameroon, all year.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Garoua117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Garoua, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), shared with neighbouring countries in the region and pegged to the euro (655.957 XAF = €1 (≈ US$2)).Cameroon-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN and Orange are the main networks (Camtel's Blue and Nexttel too); buy a SIM at an official shop with your passport — registration is compulsory.Cameroon-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.Cameroon-wide
- TippingHotel restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge.Cameroon-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cameroon-wide
- SafetyGaroua is generally safe in daylight; avoid night travel outside the centre and stay updated on regional advisories.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; squat or pit toilets on the road.Cameroon-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysOffices close on public holidays and Friday afternoons in Muslim areas; many shops close Sunday.Cameroon-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportGOU Garoua International Airport (Flights from Douala, Maroua and N'Djamena).
- Getting aroundWalk or take local taxis; most attractions are within 2 km (1.2 mi) of the city centre.Walk or take local taxis; most attractions are within 1.2 mi (2 km) of the city centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a caféFCFA 300–500
- Street or quick mealStreet food (bâton de manioc)FCFA 200–400
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (city, 5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi (city, 3.1 mi (5 km))FCFA 2,500–3,500
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomXAF 35,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomXAF 45,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomXAF 60,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XAF 15,000 · Mid XAF 25,000 · High XAF 40,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- GOU Garoua International Airport (Flights from Douala, Maroua and N'Djamena)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (14 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Garoua: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walk or take local taxis; most attractions are within 2 km of the city centre. Taxis charge by meter; negotiate if no meter.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Maroua
goDoor to door: ≈4 h round‑trip
Bus from Garoua station, about 3 h
Check bus schedule; good for a day visit.
Lake Chad
cautionDoor to door: ≈10 h
Private driver, 5 h each way
Remote; ensure security clearance.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel La Benoue
Single rooms FCFA 25,000; free Wi‑Fi; central location.
Hotel Relais de Hubert
Single rooms FCFA 20,000; on Rue du Mgr Yves Plumey.
Shalom City Hotel
Pool, free parking, air‑conditioned rooms; near Plateau.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- FCFA 15,000–20,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- FCFA 20,000–35,000 excl. bed
- High
- FCFA 35,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × XAF 45,000 | XAF 45,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XAF 25,000 | XAF 50,000 |
| Taxi from airport to city centre2 × XAF 5,000 · check | XAF 10,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × XAF 8,000 · check | XAF 16,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XAF 12,100 |
| Trip total≈ XAF 66,600 per person per day, bed included | XAF 133,100 |
2026 estimate in XAF; flights and long‑distance bus not included.
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | FCFA 300–500 |
| Street food (bâton de manioc) | FCFA 200–400 |
| Taxi (city, 5 km) | FCFA 2,500–3,500 |
| Meal at a mid‑range restaurant | FCFA 5,000–8,000 |
| Entrance to Village Artisanal | FCFA 1,000–2,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Roads can be poorly lit at night; avoid travelling after dark.
- Check flight schedules at Garoua Airport; limited connections.
- Security advisories for northern Cameroon; stay in well‑populated areas.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
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GarouaGaroua
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance119
Embassy
US consulate in Douala; other embassies in Yaoundé.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre (taxi): about FCFA 5,000, 15 min (check)
- Local bus Garoua ↔ Maroua: ≈ FCFA 7,000, 3 h (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bonʒur)
- Merci — Thank you (mɛʁsi)
- Combien ? — How much? (kɔ̃bjɛ̃ ?)
- Où est le marché ? — Where is the market? (u ɛ lə maʁʃe ?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Garoua. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry season, cooler temperatures) · avoid May–Oct (rainy season, heavy floods) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport‑to‑hotel shuttle contracts for GOU.
- Map of safe walking routes around the city centre.
- Links to local market and craft tours.
Sources
Ask about Garoua
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