Djibouti City, Djibouti ๐ฉ๐ฏ
#1026
11.55665, 43.113395
Nomad Score:
46%
Essentials
๐๏ธ City | Djibouti City is the capital and largest city of Djibouti. It is a major port city located on the Horn of Africa, strategically positioned along the Red Sea. |
๐ฅ Population | Approximately 900,000 residents. |
๐ป Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 25 Mbps. |
๐ธ Currency & Banking | Djiboutian franc (DJF); 1 USD โ 177 DJF. |
๐ฐ Tap Water | Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended. |
๐ Power | Electricity is 220V, 50Hz, with Type C and E sockets. |
๐ถ SIM Card | Providers such as ุชููุณ ู ูุฎูุตูุต and Vodafone offer prepaid SIM cards. |
๐ณ Banking for Expats | Commonly accepted payment methods include Visa and Mastercard. Local banks include Banque de Djibouti. |
๐ Accommodation | Airbnb and local serviced apartments are widely available, with prices ranging from $30 to $100 per night. |
๐ณ Cashless Friendly | Mildly cashless; cards accepted in urban areas, but cash is preferred in local markets. |
๐ Short Term Rentals | Short-term rentals are available via Airbnb and local platforms, prices start around $30 per night. |
๐๏ธ Budget Accommodation | Budget hotels like Hotel Les Acacias offer rooms starting at $25 per night. |
Working and Networking
๐ข Best Coworking Space | The Djibouti Chamber of Commerce has coworking facilities available for freelancers. |
โ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe La Fontaine, known for its strong WiFi and tranquil environment. |
๐ผ Networking Events | Monthly meetups are organized at local hotels for entrepreneurs and expats. |
๐ฅ Social Events for Expats | The Djibouti Expats Facebook group regularly hosts social gatherings. |
Transportation
๐ Best Taxi/Ride App | Djibouti Taxis app is popular for ride-hailing services. |
๐ฒ Bike/Scooter Rental | Bicycle rental services are limited but available at local tourist spots. |
๐๏ธ Best Beach Nearby | Plage de Soleil, about 15 minutes from the city center. |
โ๏ธ Top Regional Airline | Air Djibouti, the local carrier offering domestic and regional flights. |
โ๏ธ Top International Airline | Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines are major international carriers. |
๐ฃ๏ธ Highway Access | The city has access to the RN1 highway, connecting to Ethiopia. |
๐ Main Train/Transit Hub | Djibouti City does not have traditional train services; all transport is by road. |
๐ Public Transport Passes | Local transportation passes are not available; buses operate on a pay-per-ride basis. |
โ๏ธ Regional Travel | Buses connect Djibouti with cities like Hargeysa in Somaliland. |
Health and Wellness
๐ฅ Best Hospital | Hospitals like Cheikh Montour Hospital provide essential health services. |
๐ง Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Djibouti Wellness Center offers yoga classes and wellness programs. |
๐๏ธ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness clubs like Fitness First are available for gym-goers. |
๐งบ Laundry Services | Local laundromats and laundry services are available, with prices starting from $5 per kg. |
Food and Drink
๐ฑ Best Food Delivery App | Glovo and Jumia Food are popular food delivery services. |
๐ฝ๏ธ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Zigni', a spicy meat stew accompanied by injera, popular in local restaurants. |
๐ฑ Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Options are limited, but some restaurants offer vegetarian dishes. |
๐ซ Best Dessert Spots | Pastry shops like La Patisserie Djibouti serve a variety of desserts. |
๐ Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like the Central Market are great for budget shopping. |
๐ E-commerce/Online Store | Local players like Djibouti online storefronts for varied shopping options. |
๐ Grocery Delivery | Basic grocery delivery services are available through local supermarkets. |
๐ธ Bar/Nightlife Area | Place Menelik is the go-to area for nightlife and bars. |
๐ป Local Brewery | A few local breweries exist, but options are limited to local beers. |
๐ท Wine Bars | Limited wine bars, but some high-end restaurants have wine selections. |
๐ฒ Street Food Stalls | Street food options are prevalent around the central market area. |
๐ Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants serve Italian, Lebanese, and Indian food across the city. |
Culture and Attractions
๐๏ธ Must-See Landmarks | The Maritime Museum and the iconic Presidential Palace are must-see attractions. |
๐๏ธ Museums & Art Venues | The Djibouti National Museum showcases the country's history and culture. |
๐ฐ Historical Sites | Visit the historic Central Market, a vibrant hub of local commerce. |
๐ Religious Sites | The Hรถyรผk Mosque is a notable Islamic site in the city. |
๐ Annual Events | The Djibouti International Festival is a cultural highlight every December. |
๐จ Cultural Districts | The downtown area features a mix of modern and traditional architecture. |
๐ญ Theater Venues | Cultural performances are often held at the Institut Franรงais. |
๐๏ธ Local Markets | Central Market for crafts, spices, and local produce. |
๐ผ Music Scene | Local bars feature traditional African music and dance performances. |
๐จ Street Art | Emerging street art scene in downtown Djibouti. |
๐งโ๐ณ Cooking Classes | Learn local cuisine at La Maison de la Culture. |
๐ฉโ๐จ Art Galleries | Very few art galleries; however, local exhibitions pop up occasionally. |
๐ฐ๏ธ Historic Buildings | The Old Port and surrounding buildings reflect Djibouti's colonial heritage. |
๐ด Local Heritage | The Flag of Djibouti symbolizes peace and unity. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
๐ Nearby Nature Escapes | Lake Assal, located about 50 km from the city, is a salt lake with stunning views. |
๐๏ธ National Parks Nearby | Day trips to the Day Forest National Park offer hiking and nature exploration. |
๐ฒ Cycling/Walking Paths | Coastal paths along the Red Sea are great for walking and biking. |
๐ Scenic Viewpoints | The viewpoint at the top of the Khor Ambado hill provides panoramic city views. |
๐ฆ Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching is popular around Lake Abbe, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. |
๐ฅ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Some beaches permit bonfires, including Plage de Soleil. |
Other Services and Amenities
๐ฆ Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and FedEx provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
๐ ๏ธ Tech Repair Services | Local shops offer phone and computer repairs, mainly concentrated in the city center. |
๐ Table Tennis Spots | Local clubs offer facilities for table tennis enthusiasts in various sports centers. |
๐งโ๐ซ Language Classes | The Institut Franรงais offers language classes for French and Arabic. |
๐ Libraries & Study Spots | The Djibouti National Library provides reading and study areas. |
๐๏ธ Community Centers | Various community centers promote cultural activities and language exchanges. |
๐น๏ธ Gaming Lounges | Few gaming lounges exist, with some cafes providing gaming options. |
๐ฐ Casino & Gaming Halls | No casinos in Djibouti, but few informal gaming spaces may exist. |
Business
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,500 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = $60,000). |
๐ข Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,200 per mยฒ (e.g., 40 mยฒ = $48,000). |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,700 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = $102,000). |
๐ 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,400 per mยฒ (e.g., 60 mยฒ = $84,000). |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $1,800 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = $144,000). |
๐ก 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per mยฒ (e.g., 80 mยฒ = $128,000). |
๐ผ Corporate Tax | Standard corporate tax rate is 25%. |
๐ต Dividend Withholding Tax | Dividend withholding tax is 15%. |
๐ฆ Tax System | Djibouti has a progressive tax system based on worldwide income for residents. |
๐ Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 40%. |
๐งพ VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 8%. |
๐ Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are rules governing taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
๐ Property Tax | Annual property tax applies, based on assessed value. |
๐ Property Transaction Tax | Tax applied during property purchases is typically around 7%. |