Major city · Mauritania
Atar
Spend one day in Atar to see the mosque, museum and market; add a night only if you need a rest before longer trips.
Atar is the gateway town of the Adrar region. Its small size lets you walk most sights in a few hours, and the market and historic mosque give a taste of Saharan life. One day covers the basics; a second night helps if you plan multiple day trips or want a slower pace.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- MRU
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat)
- Airport
- ATR
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Atar17 ▾
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 Atar, 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
- SafetyDaytime travel in Atar is generally safe; keep valuables hidden, avoid walking alone after dark, and verify bush‑taxi drivers through your auberge.
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.
- AirportATR Atar International Airport (Small charter flights; no regular scheduled service).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; taxis from the central round‑about charge 100–300 MRU depending on distance.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Sit-down mealThree‑course lunch at Auberge Bab SaharaMRU 700
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Three‑course dinner at Auberge Bab SaharaMRU 3,500
- Metro or bus rideBus/minibus from NouakchottcheckMRU 4,000
- Budget bedAuberge Bab Sahara room, a night, per personMRU 2,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget MRU 5,000 · Mid MRU 8,000 · High MRU 12,000
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
- ATR Atar International Airport (Small charter flights; no regular scheduled service)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
not flagged
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
Jun
Avoid
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Jul
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Aug
Avoid
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
Sep
not flagged
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
Oct
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Nov
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (1 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Atar: 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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
0 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
0 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
May
42°C (108°F)108°F (42°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
0 rd
Jun
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
0 rd
Jul
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
0 rd
Aug
48°C (118°F)118°F (48°C)
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
1 rd
Sep
45°C (113°F)113°F (45°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
1 rd
Oct
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
0 rd
Nov
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
0 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
Town is walkable; taxis from the central round‑about charge 100–300 MRU depending on distance.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Choum
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Bush taxi from Garage Atar, about 1 h 30 min
Ticket to the iron‑ore train can be bought in Choum for 1,500–2,000 MRU.
Terjit oasis
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
4×4 hire from auberge, 1 h drive
Entry fee around 500 MRU.
Azougi (old ksar)
goDoor to door: ≈2 h 30 min
Bush taxi or 4×4, 1 h 15 min
Ask at the market for a driver; no formal entry fee.
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.
Auberge Bab Sahara
Terrace/tent spots from 2,000 MRU; huts 5,000 MRU; hot‑water showers
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
- MRU 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- MRU 8,000–12,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Auberge Bab Sahara room1 × 1 night × MRU 2,000 | MRU 2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × MRU 5,000 | MRU 5,000 |
| Taxi within town (average 200 MRU)1 × MRU 200 · check | MRU 200 |
| eSIM data (1 week)1 × MRU 3,000 · check | MRU 3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | MRU 1,020 |
| Trip total≈ MRU 11,220 per person per day, bed included | MRU 11,220 |
Tent spot 2,000 MRU; hut 5,000 MRU.
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Meal at Restaurant Agadir | MRU 600 per plate |
| Meal at Restaurant De la Coin | MRU 300 per plate |
| Three‑course lunch at Auberge Bab Sahara | MRU 700 |
| Three‑course dinner at Auberge Bab Sahara | MRU 3,500 |
| Taxi (short ride) | MRU 100–300 |
| Bus/minibus from Nouakchottcheck | MRU 4,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Daytime heat can exceed 40 °C (104 °F) in summer; carry water and sun protection.Daytime heat can exceed 104 °F (40 °C) in summer; carry water and sun protection.
- Night transport is limited; arrange taxis or 4×4s the day before.
- Check safety of bush‑taxi drivers; ask your auberge for trusted contacts.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Fire & ambulance
- 18
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
AtarAtar
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Lâkâ l'âdîraTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Fire & ambulance18
Embassy
US consulate in Nouakchott; other embassies in Nouakchott.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Nouakchott → Atar minibus: about MRU 4,000, 5–6 h (check)
- Atar taxi (short): MRU 100–300 depending on distance
Say or show
- Salam — Hello / Good morning (salaam)
- Kamâl? — How much? (kama:l?)
- Shukran — Thank you (shukran)
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 Atar. 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 · avoid Jun–Aug (extreme heat) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Atar
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