AI estimate Updated Mar 22, 2026 About guide entries
Essentials
- City
- Dakhla, Oued Ed-Dahab, Morocco (Western Sahara)
- Population
- Approximately 120,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 40-60 Mbps on 4G/5G; Fiber optics available in newer hotels (up to 100 Mbps)
- Currency & Banking
- Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 USD ≈ 10.10 MAD, 1 EUR ≈ 10.95 MAD
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water like Sidi Ali (approx. 6 MAD for 1.5L)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and E sockets
- SIM Card
- Maroc Telecom (best coverage), Orange, or Inwi. 10GB data costs approx. 100 MAD
- Banking for Expats
- Attijariwafa Bank and BMCE; VISA/Mastercard accepted at large hotels, but cash is king
- Accommodation
- Kitesurf camps (all-inclusive) or apartments in the city via Airbnb or local agencies
- Cashless Friendly
- Low; carry cash for local shops, taxis, and small restaurants
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb listings range from $40-$80/night for city apartments
- Budget Accommodation
- Dakhla Spirit (approx. $55/night) or city guesthouses like Dar Rio Oro
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Lagoon Area (PK25 to PK28) for watersports and luxury eco-lodges
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Dakhla City Center (Corniche area) for better internet and access to cafes
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Dakhla For Work (Av. Mohammed V) - Day pass approx. 150 MAD
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe La Tulipe on the Corniche; reliable Wi-Fi and good coffee
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at Heliophora Eco-Lodge or during the Dakhla Kitesurf World Cup
- Social Events for Expats
- Thursday night BBQ sessions at Dakhla Attitude (PK27 Lagoon)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; use 'Petit Taxis' (beige color). Flat rate within city starts at 7-10 MAD
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Dakhla Ride Center; scooters for approx. 250 MAD/day
- Best Beach Nearby
- Dragon Island/Lagoon Beach for kitesurfing; Lassarga for surfing
- Top Regional Airline
- Royal Air Maroc (RAM) with daily flights to Casablanca
- Top International Airline
- Transavia (direct from Paris) and Binter Canarias (from Gran Canaria)
- Highway Access
- N1 National Road connecting Dakhla to Laayoune and Nouadhibou (Mauritania)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Supratours/CTM Bus Station in the city center; no rail service
- Public Transport Passes
- None; transportation relies on Petit Taxis and shared Grand Taxis
- Regional Travel
- Supratours bus to Laayoune (approx. 200 MAD, 7-8 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital Hassan II (Boulevard Mohamed V); Clinique Al Oued for private care
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Ocean Vagabond (Lagoon) offers daily ocean-view yoga for 150 MAD
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- City Gym Dakhla (near the port); monthly memberships approx. 300 MAD
- Laundry Services
- Pressing El Baraka in the city center; approx. 15 MAD per kg
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- No major apps; order via WhatsApp directly from restaurants like 'Pizza d'Or'
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Fresh Dakhla Oysters and Grilled Sea Bass at 'Parc à Huîtres No. 2'
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurant Talhamar (vegetarian tagines available)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie l'Escale for traditional Moroccan cookies and pastries
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Souk Es-Salam for fresh produce, spices, and local textiles
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Jumia.ma (Delivery takes 4-7 days from Casablanca)
- Grocery Delivery
- Limited; local 'Hanout' shops offer manual delivery for regular customers
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Very limited; alcohol only served in high-end hotels like Dakhla Attitude or West Point
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol restricted to licensed tourist establishments)
- Wine Bars
- The bar at 'Hotel Sahara Regency' (Avenue Mohammed V)
- Street Food Stalls
- Night market near Place Hassan II for snail soup and spicy sardines
- Popular International Cuisine
- Villa Dakhla for high-end French-Moroccan fusion
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- The White Dune (Dune Blanche) - a massive white sand dune in the lagoon
- Museums & Art Venues
- Maison de l'Artisanat (local handicrafts and weaving)
- Historical Sites
- Spanish Cathedral (Our Lady of Mount Carmel) from the colonial era
- Religious Sites
- Masjid Al Atiq (The Old Mosque)
- Annual Events
- Dakhla Downwind Challenge (August) and GKA Kite World Tour (October)
- Cultural Districts
- The Old Spanish Quarter near the port
- Theater Venues
- Palais des Congrès (occasional cultural shows and festivals)
- Local Markets
- Dakhla Central Market for Sahara tea and Sahrawi 'Melhfa' fabrics
- Music Scene
- Traditional Hassani music performances at desert camps
- Street Art
- Murals along the Public Beach boardwalk
- Cooking Classes
- Sahara Tea Ceremony workshops at local desert bivouacs
- Art Galleries
- Occasional exhibits at the Dar Souiri cultural center
- Historic Buildings
- The old Lighthouse (Phare de Dakhla)
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Sahrawi nomadic culture and tea rituals
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Imlili Sebkha (Desert pools with fish) - 1.5 hours south of the city
- National Parks Nearby
- Dakhla National Park (Marine and desert conservation area)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The 5km Corniche pedestrian path along the water
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffside at West Point Dakhla overlooking the Atlantic surf
- Birdwatching Locations
- The Lagoon, home to pink flamingos and various migratory species
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Designated desert bivouac sites (tours usually booked through camps)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- AMANA (Moroccan Post) or DHL located on Boulevard Mohammed V
- Tech Repair Services
- Small repair shops in the Souk area (look for 'Reparation Mobile')
- Table Tennis Spots
- Common areas in Dakhla Attitude and Ocean Vagabond
- Language Classes
- Institut Français (limited seasonal courses in French)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The municipal library near the Town Hall
- Community Centers
- Association Sahara pour le Développement (Local NGO community space)
- Gaming Lounges
- Cyber Cafes in the 'Hay Salam' neighborhood
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Gambling is not legally permitted)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 320,000 MAD / $31,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 220,000 MAD / $21,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 7,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 450,000 MAD / $44,500)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 5,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 300,000 MAD / $29,700)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 7,000 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 560,000 MAD / $55,400)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 4,500 MAD per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 360,000 MAD / $35,600)
- Corporate Tax
- 31.25% (Standard Moroccan rate; lower rates apply in specialized 'Free Zones')
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 15%
- Tax System
- Territorial and Resident-based; residents taxed on global income
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 38% for income over 180,000 MAD per year
- VAT
- 20% Standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Morocco has implemented CFC rules to prevent tax avoidance
- Property Tax
- Yes, 'Taxe d'Habitation' based on the rental value of the property
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration duty (4%) + Notary fees and land registry (approx. 2-3%)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- No specific nomad visa yet, but 'Auto-Entrepreneur' status offers reduced taxes (1-2%) for small services
About these guide entries
- Method
- AI estimate
- Last updated
- Mar 22, 2026
- Generated by
- Model not recorded
- Last changed
- None yet
Generated by an AI model without cited sources and not yet checked by research. A research pass replaces these values with sourced ones, compared with similar cities.