Pick pockets and other Nouadhibou, Mauritania Tourist Trap Tips

During the night and especially in the Ville, pick pockets are always willing to take your wallet with them. Probably the best place to get robbed is in the area of the Cellular phone selling area, after the Spanish Consulate.

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As everything looks a bit alike in the beginning here in Nouadhibou, you'll be better with a map drew by a local. You will have a better idea of how does the town is organized making you able to find out where to start first.

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Indeed phones can trap you because are very expensive. Usually 1 second is 10UM making 60 seconds 600 UM of course. 5 minutes 3000UM (and I remember you that a average worker salary for one month is from 12000 to 15000UM).
Phone shops can be found everywhere in town. You'll be surprised of how many there exist.

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At Least Do This: The best thing to do is to make a call right in front of the phone counter and be able to see how many periods you have.
Alternative: On the picture you can notice the big gate to the Authonome Port de Nouadhibou.

People on the street sell them. Maybe in a location of 500 metres you have 20 people selling them. Now always remeber they can be fake or already used.

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At Least Do This: By phone cards in phone shops.

There is no ATM’s. For cash and TC’s you get the best rates in Nouakchott. In Nouadhibou it is quite difficult to change travellers cheques; they try to get up to 15% commission, so you need to bargain a bit on that or change your TC’s in the capital. Except in a few serious exchange bureau’s (not the ones in the market!) in Nouakchott, bargaining on rates seems to be necessary.

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At Least Do This: Also be very informed before exchange some money, and dont be pressures for exchange it under pressure. Go for a walk on the city and start asking prices on exchanging rates. everytime you ask a bit more to see if people rise the price. When i was exchangin my money for the first time the guy gave me 300UM for each Euro but later in Nouakchott i got 380UM! better wait.

if you go with car, don't forget to pass in one of the existing offices in town to take care of your car ensurance. Police will stop you. Be sure that all around the city if full with police and that they will stop you asking for the ensurance papers.if you dont have you'll pay a big fine, so make sure you'll do it. For one month costs about 20 euros.

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At Least Do This: on the pic SMAI ensurances in Boulevard Median.