Major city · Nigeria
Calabar
Give Calabar 2–3 nights: colonial Duke Town and the slave-history museums in a day, the drill monkeys and Tinapa on another. Come Nov–Feb; December is carnival and the busiest, priciest week.
Calabar is Cross River State's capital and one of Nigeria's oldest trading towns, set on a hill above the Calabar River. The old town holds colonial buildings, churches and the slave-trade museums; the December carnival is the country's biggest street festival. Sights are spread out and taxis are the practical way around, so plan two full days plus a travel day.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- NGN
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry season)
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy monsoon rain); December is carnival — book beds early
- Airport
- CBQ
- Nights
- 2–3
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.
- Nigeria ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport with the Nigeria Immigration Service or a Nigerian mission; most visitors need a visa arranged before travel.
- Nigeria ↗Governments advise against all or all but essential travel to a number of Nigerian states; check your own government's advice for each state on your route.
- Nigeria ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Nigeria before you fly; carry the certificate with your passport.
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 Calabar112 ▾
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 Calabar, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Nigerian naira (NGN, ₦).Nigeria-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckMTN, Airtel, Glo and 9mobile; SIM registration needs a passport and NIN-style biometric capture — foreigners register at company offices (check).Nigeria-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Nigeria-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if service is not added.Nigeria-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets D/G. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): fits · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Nigeria-wide
- SafetycheckCalabar is calmer than Lagos, but treat it as a normal Nigerian city: no night walks, no unlit streets, and check state-level advice.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and restaurants; carry tissue and hand sanitiser.Nigeria-wide
- Emergency numbers112 National emergency · 112 police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysSunday mornings are church time in the south; Friday midday prayers in the north.Nigeria-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckCBQ Margaret Ekpo International Airport (About 1 h by air from Lagos; daily schedules vary by airline — check before booking.).
- Getting aroundTaxis and ride-hailing cover the city; agree the fare before you get in, since meters are rare.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBeer in a bar₦1,500–3,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi across the centreAgree before boarding.₦2,000–5,000
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or resort entry₦500–3,000
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personNGN 12,000
- Mid-range bedHotel double room, a night, per roomNGN 60,000
- High-end bedHotel double room, a night, per roomNGN 150,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget NGN 25,000 · Mid NGN 55,000 · High NGN 120,000
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
- CBQ Margaret Ekpo International Airport (About 1 h by air from Lagos; daily schedules vary by airline — check before booking.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
May
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Jan–Feb, Nov. Mixed: Dec. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (24 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Calabar: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8 rd
Apr
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
May
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
24 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
24 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
23 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 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
Taxis and ride-hailing cover the city; agree the fare before you get in, since meters are rare. Streets in the centre were widened and resurfaced, but local taxis are often old — pick a newer car or a ride-hailing app. Distances between Duke Town, Tinapa and the airport are short by car.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Obudu
overnightDoor to door: Half a day each way
Road via Ikom and Ogoja, several hours
Cool highland resort; too far for a return day trip.
Ikom
cautionDoor to door: About 2–3 h
Road north-west of Calabar
Base for the Cross River monoliths; check road and security advice first.
Odukpani
goDoor to door: Under 1 h
Road north of the city
Short run out of town; pair with a river stop.
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.
Duke Town / old town
Colonial streets, the museum and waterfront within walking distance; quieter at night.
Marian / State Housing
Central, near Marian Market and many restaurants; good taxi access.
Atekong / Big Qua
Guesthouses and eateries along Atekong Drive; handy for the drill monkey centre.
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
- ₦25,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₦45,000–90,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₦90,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel double room1 × 3 nights × NGN 60,000 | NGN 180,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × NGN 55,000 | NGN 330,000 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × NGN 8,000 | NGN 16,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | NGN 52,600 |
| Trip total≈ NGN 96,400 per person per day, bed included | NGN 578,600 |
2026 estimate in naira; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bottle of water | ₦300–600 |
| Local meal (jollof, soup and swallow) | ₦2,500–6,000 |
| Beer in a bar | ₦1,500–3,000 |
| Taxi across the centreAgree before boarding. | ₦2,000–5,000 |
| Museum or resort entry | ₦500–3,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Power cuts are common — check that your hotel has a generator or inverter.
- Heavy rain Jun–Sep can flood roads; build slack into airport days.
- Agree taxi fares up front; meters are rare.
- Check your government's travel advice for Cross River State before booking.
Emergency numbers
- National emergency
- 112
- Police
- 112
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
CalabarCalabar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Abeg, carry me go this addressTake me to this address, please
Emergency
- National emergency112
Embassy
No embassies in Calabar; most countries' missions are in Abuja, with consulates in Lagos. Check your government's list.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Taxi across the centre: ₦2,000–5,000, agree first
- Flight Lagos → Calabar: about 1 h; fares vary by airline (check)
Say or show
- How you dey? — Hello / How are you? (how you day)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much is it? (how much)
- Abeg — Please (ah-beg)
- Where toilet dey? — Where is the toilet? (where toilet day)
- I no want — I don't want it (I no want)
Emergency numbers and fares are 2026 estimates — verify locally.
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 Calabar. 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) · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy monsoon rain); December is carnival — book beds early · 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
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CBQ: airline schedules, taxi fallback and a late-arrival rung.
- Walking clusters for Duke Town, the waterfront and Marian, with rescue anchors.
- Place pages with verified opening hours (National Museum, Duke Town church, drill centre) and eat pages with last orders.
- Carnival-week fixtures so December dates can go green.