Major city · Mauritania
Nouadhibouنواحيبو
Spend a half‑day to a full day in Nouadhibou: walk the port, see the train, and grab cheap seafood; one night if you want a quiet stay.
Nouadhibou is Mauritania's second‑largest city, a fishing hub and the terminus of the iron‑ore train. Its compact centre can be explored on foot in under 15 minutes, and taxis cost about 20 ouguiyas per short ride. A single day covers the main sights; an overnight stay adds a relaxed evening and easy access to the train station.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MRU
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Jul–Sep (hottest, some rain)
- Airport
- NDB
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- 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.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Mauritania ↗Apply for the e-visa on the official ANRPTS portal and print the approval; visas on arrival ended in January 2025 and the fee is paid in cash at the airport.
- Mauritania ↗Travel advice differs by region: check your own government's advice for each area on your route, especially in the east and near the Mali border.
- Mauritania ↗Alcohol is prohibited; do not import or carry it.
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
Emergency numbers for Nouadhibou17 ▾
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 Nouadhibou, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (MRU), redenominated in 2018 (1 new = 10 old; prices are sometimes still quoted in old ouguiya).Mauritania-wide
- SIM or eSIMMauritel, Mattel and Chinguitel sell SIMs in Nouakchott; passport needed.Mauritania-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Mauritania-wide
- TippingDriver or guide day: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12).Mauritania-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.Mauritania-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe in daylight; limited street lighting and traffic hazards after dark; travel in groups, especially women.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsBasic in auberges; the desert is the toilet on 4x4 days.Mauritania-wide
- Emergency numbers17 police · 18 fire & ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckWeekend is Saturday and Sunday (changed from Friday in 2014 — check); Friday prayers close shops midday.Mauritania-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportNDB Nouadhibou International Airport (Mauritania Airlines flights to Nouakchott and Gran Canaria).
- Getting aroundWalk the centre (≤15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at highway stopcheck30 MRU
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi short ride within town20 MRU
- Budget bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomMRU 800
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomMRU 1,200
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomMRU 1,800
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MRU 300 · Mid MRU 500 · High MRU 800
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
- NDB Nouadhibou International Airport (Mauritania Airlines flights to Nouakchott and Gran Canaria)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Apr
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Jul–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Sep (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Sep (5 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nouadhibou: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Mar
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
1 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Jul
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
1 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
5 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
3 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 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 the centre (≤15 min). Taxis charge ~20 ouguiyas per short trip; flag down by honking. No regular public transport inside town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Iron‑ore train ride to Choum
cautionDoor to door: check
Board passenger car at Nouadhibou station (depart 15:00–21:00)Board passenger car at Nouadhibou station (depart 3:00 PM–9:00 PM)
Ticket 300 MRU; no lighting, dust, and a scarf is advised; passenger car is often overcrowded.
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 Sahel
International‑standard, near Blvd Maritime
Hotel El‑Aljazeera
Simple rooms, close to airport
Auberge Sahara
Budget rooms ~300 ouguiyas, shared facilities
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
- 300–500 MRU excl. bed
- Mid
- 500–800 MRU excl. bed
- High
- 800 MRU+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range hotel double1 × 1 night × MRU 1,200 | MRU 1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × MRU 500 | MRU 1,000 |
| Taxi from airport to centre2 × MRU 20 · check | MRU 40 |
| One‑day taxi rides (20 ougi each)2 × MRU 40 · check | MRU 80 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × MRU 5,000 · check | MRU 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MRU 1,232 |
| Trip total≈ MRU 6,776 per person per day, bed included | MRU 13,552 |
check
2026 estimate in MRU; flights and visas excluded.
Prices of common things
| Fish meal (local restaurant) | 70 MRU |
| Taxi short ride within town | 20 MRU |
| Ticket for passenger car on ore train | 300 MRU |
| Bottled water (1 L)check | 15 MRU |
| Coffee at highway stopcheck | 30 MRU |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Very little street lighting – carry a torch after dark.
- Road traffic can be chaotic; give way to larger vehicles.
- Do not cross the railway tracks; some areas still have unexploded mines.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire & ambulance
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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Nouadhibouنواحيبو
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
إلى هذا العنوان من فضلكTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire & ambulance18
Embassy
US consulate in Nouakchott; nearest Mauritanian embassy in Rabat, Morocco (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → city centre taxi: ≈20 MRU (check)
- Train passenger car (Nouadhibou → Choum): 300 MRU (check)
Say or show
- سمح لي — Excuse me / Sorry (samḥ li)
- شكرا — Thank you (shukran)
- بكم؟ — How much is it? (bikam?)
- أين الحمام؟ — Where is the toilet? (ayna al‑ḥammām?)
- هل يمكن الدفع بالبطاقة؟ — Can I pay by card? (hal yumkin al‑dafʿ bāl‑biṭāqa?)
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 Nouadhibou. 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–Mar · avoid Jul–Sep (hottest, some rain) · 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
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at Hotel Sahel for a relaxed evening after the train visit.
- Combine with a day trip to Banc d'Arguin for bird‑watching.
Sources
Ask about Nouadhibou
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