Gambia
Travel tips for Gambia: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cash is essential. The Gambia is a cash-first country where the Dalasi is essential for daily expenses like taxis, markets, and local restaurants. While upscale hotels and a few supermarkets accept cards, terminals and ATMs are frequently unreliable, making cash absolutely necessary.
Try the food
- Domoda: A rich and savory peanut paste stew cooked with meat or vegetables and served over white rice.
- Benachin: A flavorful one-pot dish of rice cooked in tomato paste with fish, meat, and vegetables.
- Yassa: Tender chicken or whole fish marinated and simmered in a tangy sauce of caramelized onions, lemon, and mustard.
Essentials
- Voltage
- 230V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- SIM tip
- Africell and QCell offer the best nationwide coverage, and you can easily purchase and register a prepaid SIM card at Banjul International Airport upon arrival.
Etiquette
Always use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items, as the left hand is considered unclean in Gambian culture.