Douala Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 4.5/10
- Best time to visit
- The drier window from November to February is best, as the city sees heavy rains from June to October.
- Population
- 3.9M
Overview
Cameroon's largest city and economic engine, Douala is a steamy, fast-moving port on the Wouri River. It's the main gateway for arrivals, packed with markets, nightlife and the country's busiest harbor handling trade for much of Central Africa.
Getting around
Shared yellow taxis and moto-taxis dominate; agree on fares first, and allow plenty of time as traffic is notoriously heavy.
Local etiquette
Greet warmly in French before business, and dress neatly despite the heat. Photography of the port and government sites is restricted, so ask first.
Safety
Street crime is more common here than in Yaoundé, so stay alert in crowds and avoid displaying phones or cash. Use registered taxis at night.