Destination guide
Last updated: June 15, 2026West Africa’s gateway — teranga (hospitality), mbalax and a buzzing Dakar. Accessible and generally safe, with a few specific cautions. Here is the essential, verified.
Travel essentials
Senegal dropped tourist visas in 2015: European citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days. ECOWAS citizens are also exempt. Yellow fever is an entry requirement (see Health). Always carry proof of return and accommodation — the border may ask.
| Passport | Entry rule | Max stay |
|---|---|---|
| Portugal · Spain · France · United Kingdom | Visa-free (tourism) | 90 days |
| Cabo Verde · Guinea-Bissau · Nigeria · Ghana | Visa-free — ECOWAS free movement | 90 days |
| Angola | To confirm (possible exemption/visa-on-arrival) — check with the embassy | — |
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Health
A yellow fever certificate is required on entry. The vaccine is strongly recommended and mandatory if arriving from an endemic area. Consider malaria prophylaxis depending on your itinerary.
Passport
Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, plus proof of onward travel.
Arrival & Safety
Airport
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), about 50 km from Dakar — it replaced the old Léopold Sédar Senghor airport. Allow time (and data) for the trip into the city.
Getting in
The Yango app operates efficiently and gives a transparent, trackable fare — better than airport taxis, which usually involve haggling. Alternatively, a transfer arranged by your accommodation.
Safety
Dakar is one of the most stable cities in West Africa (Level 1, US), but watch for pickpockets in crowded areas (Sandaga market) and some night-time robberies. The Casamance region (south) is Level 2: separatist groups and landmines — travel only on main roads in daylight, and avoid the borders with The Gambia/Guinea-Bissau.
⚠️ Border rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source (consulate, immigration, travel.state.gov, gov.uk, Portal das Comunidades) before travelling.
Money
Currency: West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro (655.957 XOF = €1). ATMs are common in Dakar and cities; cards in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, but cash dominates in markets and transport.
Connectivity
Three operators: Orange (the largest, best 3G/4G coverage nationwide), Free (formerly Tigo, strong in Dakar) and Expresso (cheaper, urban).
With the airport ~50 km from Dakar, having data on arrival lets you book transport and reach your contacts right away, without relying on public Wi-Fi. An eSIM activated before departure is the simplest way.
Coverage is excellent in Dakar; WhatsApp is the main medium for personal and commercial communication, with no network restrictions. In Saint-Louis and the main corridors it’s good; in rural areas and Casamance rely on Orange.