Douala, Cameroon 🇨🇲
#420
4.042938, 9.706201
Nomad Score:
50%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Douala is Cameroon’s economic capital, known for its vibrant port and diverse cultural landscape. |
| 👥 Population | Approx. 2.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average of 10-15 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Central African Franc (XAF), 1 USD ≈ 600 XAF |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | MTN, Orange, and Nexttel are popular providers with reasonable prepaid data plans. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Local banks such as Afriland First Bank, accessible ATMs, PayPal can be used for online transactions. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local guesthouses, and serviced apartments. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Limited; cash is preferred, but mobile money services are increasingly popular. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Available through platforms like Airbnb and local real estate apps. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like La Belle Epoque offer affordable rates. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | COWORKING DLA offers reliable Wi-Fi and work-friendly environment. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café de L'Institut: a quiet spot with good coffee and Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Tech events hosted by Douala Digital Hub feature monthly meetups. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook Groups like 'Expats in Douala' organize regular social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Yango and Uber operate in Douala for convenient rides. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Few options; delivery services like Jumia Food offer bicycle deliveries. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Plage de la mosaïque, about 15 km from Douala. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Camair-Co for regional flights. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Ethiopian Airlines operate flights from Douala. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to A2 highway connecting major towns. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Douala Railway Station connects to interior regions. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Limited options, mainly pay-per-ride via local taxis and buses. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses and minivans (gbaka) available for travel to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Laquintinie Hospital, a major healthcare facility in the city. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Douala offers classes and wellness workshops. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Park Douala is equipped and popular among locals. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromat services like Speedy Clean provide wash and fold services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Jumia Food for various options from local restaurants. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Ndolè, a popular dish made with bitter leaves, served with plantains. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Alimentation provide vegetarian-friendly meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Café Nescafé renowned for pastries and coffee. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Marché des Fleurs for local produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Jumia Cameroon for a variety of shopping needs. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Available through local services like KAMER - Live Grocery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Akwa district is known for its nightlife and bars. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brasserie de la Libi, also known for brewery tours. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Le Grand Chêne offers a fine selection of wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Found throughout the city, particularly near markets. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Zenith Restaurant offers Italian and French fare. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Cathedral of St. Paul is a highlight of Douala. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Douala offers insights into local history and arts. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The typical colonial architecture around Bonanjo. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Basilique de Sainte-Marie is a major historic church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Douala Carnival held annually showcases local culture. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Bonanjo is known for its art galleries and cultural centers. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Cinea Palace offers a platform for local performances and movies. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Marché de Cité Scac, a bustling local market for crafts and food. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at venues like Le Magneto is popular among locals. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Discover murals and graffiti in the Nyala district. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at Le Gourmet Douala focus on local dishes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Art Gallery Douala features works by local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Old Customs Building is a notable historical site. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Symbolic representation of Batanga culture seen in local festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Mount Cameroon for hiking enthusiasts, about 50 km away. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Limbe Wildlife Centre for nature lovers and conservation education. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Paths along the Wouri River for scenic walks. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Visit La Nouvelle Liberté for beautiful sea views. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Parc Naturel de Waza, 200 km away, a birdwatching hotspot. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beaches near Limbe allow recreational bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and UPS offer reliable parcel delivery service. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech Point for mobile repairs and electronics. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Available at local community centers and parks. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Alliance Française Douala offers French classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Bibliothèque Municipale for a quiet study environment. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centre Culturel Français for cultural and social events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Places like GameOn provide facilities for gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino de Douala offers gaming opportunities. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €48,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €32,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €90,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €60,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €96,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 16.5% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Progressive tax system for residents based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 40% |
| 🧾 VAT | 19.25% |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | No significant CFC regulations. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Based on valuation with annual payments. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 6% standard rate on property purchases. |