Douala, Cameroon 🇨🇲
#420
,
Nomad Score:
47%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Douala is the largest city in Cameroon, serving as the economic hub of the country. |
| 👥 Population | About 2.8 million residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 10 Mbps, with some coworking spaces providing faster options up to 20 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF). 1 EUR ≈ 655 CFA, 1 USD ≈ 610 CFA. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Tap water is generally not drinkable. It is advisable to drink bottled water. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity runs on 220V, 50Hz with Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Mobile providers like MTN and Orange offer prepaid SIM cards with data packages. Activation takes a few minutes. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | International debit and credit cards are accepted in most places, especially Visa and Mastercard. Mobile banking apps like Orange Money are popular. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb for short stays and hotels like Pullman Douala for mid-range to luxury. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Cash is preferred, but major establishments accept cards. Mobile payments are growing. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb and local agencies like Immo Douala offer various short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Douala offers dormitory accommodations starting at around 10,000 CFA per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Bonanjo is popular among tourists for its proximity to restaurants and attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Akwa is known for its vibrant atmospheres, coworking spaces, and cafes suitable for remote work. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | L'Espace provides fast internet and collaborative workspaces for around 15,000 CFA/day. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe N'est Ce Pas offers good Wi-Fi and a quiet atmosphere for working. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Look for meetups on platforms like Meetup.com; events vary by month. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in Douala' organize regular meetups and social events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | The majority use local taxis; however, taxify is available in some areas. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | There are no major bike-sharing services in Douala. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | La Plage de Dioda, a short drive from the city center, is a popular beach spot. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Camair-Co serves various regional destinations. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Ethiopian Airlines operate frequent flights from Douala. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | The A2 highway links Douala with Yaoundé and other major cities. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | The main transit hub is the Douala Station, mostly serving regional routes. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport is mainly via shared taxis and there are no standard public transport passes. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses operate between Douala and other cities like Limbe and Buea. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Emergency Hospital Douala provides comprehensive healthcare services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Douala offers various yoga classes weekly. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness center at Le Meridien Douala is one of the well-equipped gyms. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laverie Agence services provide laundry services throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Jumia Food offers a variety of local and international cuisines for delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Ndolé, a traditional dish made from bitter leaf, is a must-try. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Le Moulin des Saveurs offers a range of vegetarian dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pâtisserie Natie is famous for its pastries and cakes. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets in Bonanjo offer fresh produce and typical local products. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Jumia provides online shopping for a variety of goods. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermart delivers groceries directly to your home. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Nightlife in Akwa and Bonanjo offers a range of bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie de l'Amitié produces local beer in Douala. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Verre d'Or stocks a diverse selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | You can find many street food stalls offering suya and grilled plantains. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restos like Pizza du Monde offer Italian cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Douala Maritime Museum and La Nouvelle Liberte statue are prominent attractions. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Douala Art Museum showcases contemporary art from local artists. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Check out the old customs house in the city center. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul is a notable church in Douala. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | The Douala Jazz Festival occurs annually and showcases many artists. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Akwa is known for its vibrant culture and history. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | The Palace of the Arts occasionally hosts performances and cultural events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercato de Douala is a bustling spot for local goods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music can often be found at various clubs in Akwa. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals around the city depict the local culture. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local chefs offer classes in traditional Cameroonian cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Arts & Culture Gallery in Bonanjo features various art exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Cathedral of St. Paul is also a hallmark of the city. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Douala cultural heritage is rich and celebrated through various festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Limbe Botanical Gardens are about 1.5 hours away from Douala. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Mount Cameroon National Park is a popular hiking destination near Douala. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The waterfront promenade offers a great walking path with views of the ocean. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Visit the lookout at Mount Fako for panoramic views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Douala Wildlife Reserve is a spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | There are designated areas at La Plage de Dioda for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and local couriers provide reliable shipping services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech-Care Douala offers device repairs at reasonable prices. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local parks sometimes host ping pong tables, though availability is limited. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Language centers in Akwa offer French language courses for beginners. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Municipal Library in Bonanjo provides reading spaces. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | The Douala Community Center organizes various cultural and social events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming centers like Gamers Avenue offer a range of video games. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Douala offers various gambling options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 250,000,000 CFA per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 10,000,000 CFA) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 150,000,000 CFA per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 6,000,000 CFA) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 235,000,000 CFA per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 14,100,000 CFA) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 190,000,000 CFA per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 11,400,000 CFA) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 240,000,000 CFA per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 19,200,000 CFA) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 180,000,000 CFA per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 14,400,000 CFA) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 15% is applied to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | The tax system is based on a worldwide income basis. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | The maximum personal income tax rate is 35%. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 19.25%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are strict regulations governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the property's value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | A standard rate of 10% applies during property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | There are no specific tax benefits for digital nomads currently in Cameroon. |