Essentials
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Cansado (scenic, southern tip) or near the Port Autonome
- City
- Nouadhibou, Dakhlet Nouadhibou, Mauritania
- Population
- Approximately 120,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 10-20 Mbps on 4G; Fiber optic available in select hotels at 30 Mbps
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 39.5 MRU (Mauritanian Ouguiya). ATMs available at BMCI and Société Générale
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; use bottled water (e.g., brand 'Tiviski' 1.5L for ~25 MRU)
- Power
- 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C / E sockets
- SIM Card
- Moov Mauritel or Mattel; 10GB data costs approx. 400 MRU ($10)
- Banking for Expats
- Société Générale Mauritanie is the most reliable for international cards
- Accommodation
- Guesthouses and hotels like Hôtel Sahel or Free Zone apartments
- Cashless Friendly
- No, extremely cash-reliant; cards only at top-tier hotels
- Short Term Rentals
- Limited Airbnb; better to book via Booking.com for 'Appart-Hôtels'
- Budget Accommodation
- Camping Baie du Lévrier (approx. 800 MRU per night)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Centre Ville (near Boulevard Médian) for proximity to shops and better signal
Food and Drink
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None; commerce is physical or via WhatsApp groups
- Grocery Delivery
- Bona Supermarché (Phone orders popular for expats)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Alcohol is prohibited in Mauritania; social life centers around tea (Ataya) hubs
- Local Brewery
- None (Alcohol-free country)
- Wine Bars
- None (Illegal)
- Street Food Stalls
- Grilled fish stalls near the Port de Pêche Artisanale
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizza de la Baie (Italian-ish) and various Lebanese grills
- Best Food Delivery App
- None; direct phone ordering for local restaurants
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Thieboudienne (Fish and rice) - found at local stalls for ~150 MRU
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Restaurant Le Pêcheur (Grilled vegetables and salads)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie du Centre (French-style pastries)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché Grand (Central Market) for fresh produce
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Cape Blanco (Cap Blanc) Seal Reserve
- Museums & Art Venues
- SNIM Museum in Cansado
- Historical Sites
- The Ship Graveyard (mostly cleared now, but some shipwrecks remain visible)
- Religious Sites
- Grande Mosquée de Nouadhibou
- Annual Events
- Zrag (Traditional Mauritanian welcoming festivals, dates vary)
- Cultural Districts
- Cansado (Company town built by mining interests)
- Theater Venues
- Outdoor performances at Institut Français
- Local Markets
- Marché aux Poissons (Fish market is a sensory overload)
- Music Scene
- Moorish traditional music (Tidinit) at weddings and private events
- Street Art
- Limited; mostly commercial hand-painted signs
- Cooking Classes
- Informal classes hosted by guesthouse owners like Chez Abba
- Art Galleries
- Exhibits at the Alliance Française
- Historic Buildings
- Colonial-era administrative buildings in the town center
- Local Heritage
- The Iron Ore Train (longest in the world) - a symbol of local industry
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Banc d'Arguin National Park (UNESCO site, 3 hours south)
- National Parks Nearby
- Banc d'Arguin
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Promenade along the Baie du Lévrier
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The cliffs at Cap Blanc
- Birdwatching Locations
- Baie de l'Étoile (Flamingos and migratory birds)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Remote dunes outside the city limits (check for landmine safety zones)
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Mauripost or DHL Nouadhibou Office
- Tech Repair Services
- Small stalls in the 'Souk' area near Boulevard Médian
- Table Tennis Spots
- Club de la SNIM
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française for French and Hassaniya Arabic
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Centre Culturel Français Library
- Community Centers
- Maison des Jeunes
- Gaming Lounges
- Cybercafé 'La Liberté'
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- None (Prohibited)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $800/m² - (e.g., 40m² = $32,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $500/m² - (e.g., 40m² = $20,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $750/m² - (e.g., 60m² = $45,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $450/m² - (e.g., 60m² = $27,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. $700/m² - (e.g., 80m² = $56,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. $400/m² - (e.g., 80m² = $32,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Standard rate)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence based; Nouadhibou Free Zone offers tax exemptions
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 30%
- VAT
- 16% (Standard rate)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- Yes, based on rental value (approx. 3-10%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- Approx. 5-7% registration fee
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Moderate; the Free Zone (ANZF) is very attractive for registered businesses
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- None official; Nouadhibou Free Zone (ANZF) offices offer business facilities
- Best Cafe for Work
- Pâtisserie El Medina (quiet mornings, decent Wi-Fi)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at the French Institute (Institut Français de Mauritanie) branch
- Social Events for Expats
- Weekend gatherings at the Club Cansado
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps; green/yellow shared taxis (10-20 MRU per seat for short runs)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Not available; best to purchase a used bike at the local market (~3000 MRU)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Baie de l'Étoile (Kitesurfing and calm waters)
- Top Regional Airline
- Mauritania Airlines (Connects to Nouakchott and Las Palmas)
- Top International Airline
- Binter Canarias (to Gran Canaria), Air Algérie
- Highway Access
- Route Nationale 1 (5-hour drive to Nouakchott through the desert)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- SNIM Train Station (Home of the famous Iron Ore Train)
- Public Transport Passes
- None; pay per ride in cash
- Regional Travel
- Bush taxis (Minibuses) to Nouakchott depart from the 'Garage' north of town
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hôpital des Spécialités de Nouadhibou (The 'Cuban Hospital')
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Private sessions at Hôtel Aljazira
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Gymnase de la SNIM in Cansado
- Laundry Services
- Pressing Moderne on Boulevard Maritime