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Nouakchott, Mauritania 🇲🇷
#240 ,

Nomad Score: 44%

Essentials

🏙️ City Nouakchott is the capital and largest city of Mauritania, located on the Atlantic coast.
👥 Population Approximately 1 million residents.
💻 Internet Speed Average download speed is around 20 Mbps.
💸 Currency & Banking 1 EUR ≈ 430 MRU (Mauritanian Ouguiya), 1 USD ≈ 385 MRU.
🚰 Tap Water Not drinkable; bottled water is recommended.
🔌 Power 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets.
📶 SIM Card MTN and Chinguitel are the main providers, offering affordable prepaid plans.
💳 Banking for Expats Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; ATMs are available but can be sporadic.
🛌 Accommodation Options include hotels, guesthouses, and rentals via platforms like Airbnb.
💳 Cashless Friendly Limited cashless payment options; cash is king.
🏠 Short Term Rentals Available via Airbnb and local rental agencies.
🛏️ Budget Accommodation Hostel options like 'Auberge Sakia' starting from approx. €15 per night.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists The area near the beach is popular for tourists.
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads Consider the area around Avenue Moussa Tavele, known for cafes and coworking spaces.

Working and Networking

🏢 Best Coworking Space Coworking Nouakchott located on Avenue Moussa Tavele.
Best Cafe for Work Le Cafe de la Paix offers a relaxed atmosphere with Wi-Fi.
💼 Networking Events Look for events hosted on Meetup or local Facebook groups, though rare.
🥂 Social Events for Expats The Expats in Nouakchott Facebook group organizes occasional meetups.

Transportation

🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App No prevalent ride-hailing apps; local taxis are available.
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental Limited options; consider renting directly from local shops.
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby Nouakchott beach is accessible, perfect for relaxation.
✈️ Top Regional Airline Mauritania Airlines is the main carrier.
✈️ Top International Airline Air France and Royal Air Maroc connect Nouakchott with Europe.
🛣️ Highway Access Route Nationale 1 connects Nouakchott with major cities in Mauritania.
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub Nouakchott doesn't have a major train system; buses are used for long-distance travel.
🚍 Public Transport Passes Limited formal transit passes; buses and 'sept-place' share taxis are common.
✈️ Regional Travel Buses and shared taxis frequent routes to cities like Rosso and Kaedi.

Health and Wellness

🏥 Best Hospital Oumtounsy Hospital is the largest medical facility in Nouakchott.
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers Check out 'Studio Fitness' for yoga classes.
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers Local gyms like 'Club de Sport' offer memberships.
🧺 Laundry Services Laundry services are available but may be limited in quality.

Food and Drink

📱 Best Food Delivery App No dedicated apps; local restaurants may offer delivery.
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try Try 'Mechoui' (roasted lamb), a local favorite.
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options Limited vegan options; check 'La Terrasse' for vegetarian meals.
🍫 Best Dessert Spots Visit 'Pâtisserie Koutoubia' for local pastries.
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots Markets like 'Marché Central' offer cheap fresh produce.
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store Online shopping is limited; domestic options are few.
🛒 Grocery Delivery Very few grocery delivery services; shopping is mostly in-person.
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area Visit 'Nouakchott Beach' for casual evening hangouts.
🍻 Local Brewery Brewery options are limited; local bars serve imported beers.
🍷 Wine Bars Limited offerings, but some restaurants serve wine.
🍲 Street Food Stalls Street vendors near the market are common, selling snacks like 'couscous'.
🍕 Popular International Cuisine Check out 'Le Relais des Cimes' for French cuisine.

Culture and Attractions

🎟️ Must-See Landmarks Visit the Monument de la Réunification and the National Museum.
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues The National Museum of Mauritania presents history and culture.
🏰 Historical Sites Explore the ancient city of Chinguetti.
🕍 Religious Sites Visit the Great Mosque of Nouakchott.
🎉 Annual Events Major events include Independence Day celebrations on November 28.
🎨 Cultural Districts Part of the city showcases art and local culture; walk around the market area.
🎭 Theater Venues Cultural shows are sometimes held at local community centers.
🛍️ Local Markets Marché Central is vibrant with local crafts and spices.
🎼 Music Scene Local music can be experienced at outdoor venues on weekends.
🎨 Street Art Some areas feature murals, particularly near the Nouakchott beach.
🧑‍🍳 Cooking Classes Limited options; inquire locally for culinary experiences.
👩‍🎨 Art Galleries Art exhibitions are best found at local cultural centers.
🕰️ Historic Buildings The Presidential Palace is a prominent architectural site.
🏴 Local Heritage Cultural symbols are often tied to the Moorish heritage.

Nature and Outdoor Activities

🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes Cordon de la Mer (coastal area) offers beautiful landscapes.
🏞️ National Parks Nearby Banc d'Arguin National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage site nearby.
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths Paths along the beach make for nice cycling and walking.
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints Northern beaches offer stunning sunset views.
🦉 Birdwatching Locations Banc d'Arguin is great for observing migratory birds.
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots Public beach areas permit bonfires; check local regulations.

Other Services and Amenities

📦 Parcel Delivery Service DHL and local postal services operate in Nouakchott.
🛠️ Tech Repair Services Local shops can handle basic repairs; options are limited.
🏓 Table Tennis Spots Available in community centers; inquire on-site.
🧑‍🏫 Language Classes Explore options at local universities for Arabic and French.
📚 Libraries & Study Spots The public library is a quiet study option, though limited.
🏘️ Community Centers Cultural centers host events and provide community support.
🕹️ Gaming Lounges Limited gaming venues; check local listings.
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls Gambling is not prevalent in Mauritania.

Business

🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €32,000).
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €24,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €60,000).
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €48,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) Approx. €1,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €96,000).
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) Approx. €900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €72,000).
💼 Corporate Tax Standard corporate tax rate is 25%.
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax Tax rate applied to dividend distributions is 25%.
🏦 Tax System Mauritania has a progressive tax system based on income.
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket Maximum personal income tax rate is 25%.
🧾 VAT Standard Value Added Tax rate is 16%.
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules Yes, there are rules governing foreign companies.
🏠 Property Tax Annual property tax applies, based on assessed value.
🏠 Property Transaction Tax Property purchase incurs a 4% tax.
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads No special tax incentives for digital nomads currently.

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