Is it safe?
Yes, Mauritania is a safe country. As long as you take normal precautions as you would anywhere, such as keeping your belongings close to you, then your trip should be incident free.
Is it safe for women?
Yes, Mauritania is safe for women. As it is a conservative country, there may be instances of male shopkeepers ignoring a solo female, or other small situations like that, but most people are friendly and there is not much harassment.
Do women need to wear a headscarf?
No, it is not required for women to wear a headscarf. Most local women do have their heads covered, so women traveling solo might feel more comfortable covering their head to draw less attention, but it is not necessary.
Do I need a visa?
Yes, all travelers (except those from visa exempt countries) need to apply for an evisa online. You must bring a printed out paper version of your evisa to the airport or land border and pay in exact cash (55 EUR or 60 USD) at immigration on arrival. You can read more about the visa requirements here .
Do I need to take cash?
Yes, you will definitely need to be prepared with cash. You are unlikely to find a working ATM in the city, and most places do not accept credit cards. While it is not an expensive country, many products are imported, so prices will be higher than you might think. You can expect to spend around $10-$20 on meals per day, plus of course whatever you will need for your tour if you are joining one, or your transport and accommodation if you are organizing things yourself on the go. Read more about money in Mauritania here .
Is alcohol banned?
Both alcohol and pork are illegal in Mauritania. This means it is against the law to bring any alcohol or pork with you into the country, and you will be asked at immigration if you have any.
What is the best time of year to visit Mauritania?
To avoid the scorching summer heat, the best time to visit Mauritania is from November to March. The days are comfortable and warm, but the nights are cooler, so be prepared with a jacket.
If I’m on the iron ore train for thirteen hours, where do I go to the bathroom?
You might not like the answer, but typically a designated corner of the train car is chosen as the bathroom. The cars are quite big, and the way the iron ore is piled typically gives a decent amount of privacy. Bottles can also be used. It is far too dangerous to attempt going to the bathroom off the side of the cart, so there are truly no other options.
