Senegal

Travel tips for Senegal: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Carry some cash. While cards work at large supermarkets, hotels, and some restaurants in Dakar, Senegal is largely cash-based. Recent travelers highly recommend carrying CFA francs for daily expenses or setting up a local mobile money app like Wave using a Senegalese SIM card.

Try the food

  • Thieboudienne (Ceebu jën): A hearty one-pot dish of fish, broken rice, and vegetables simmered in a rich tomato and herb sauce.
  • Yassa Poulet (Yassa guinaar): Tender chicken marinated in a tangy mixture of lemon, caramelized onions, and mustard, then grilled and braised.
  • Mafé (Maafe): Chunks of meat stewed in a thick, savory peanut butter sauce with root vegetables, served over white rice.

Say it in French

  • Hello: Bonjour
  • Thank you: Merci
  • Please: S'il vous plaît
  • Excuse me: Excusez-moi
  • How much is this?: C'est combien ?
  • The bill please: L'addition, s'il vous plaît
  • Yes / No: Oui / Non
  • Goodbye: Au revoir

Essentials

Plugs
Type C / Type D / Type E / Type K
Voltage
230V, 50Hz
Driving
Right side
Tap water
Avoid — buy bottled
Emergency
17 (Police), 15 (Ambulance), 18 (Fire)
SIM tip
Pick up an Orange or Free SIM card at Blaise Diagne International Airport upon arrival for the most reliable nationwide coverage.

Etiquette

Always use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean.

Airports in Senegal