Expatriates Forums in Mauritania

NIGHTLIFE IN MAURITANIA / MAURITANIA NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Mauritania Info — Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:17 am

Author: Mauritania Info

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 5:17 am

NIGHTLIFE IN MAURITANIA

Since Mauritania is a Muslim country, there are few legal bars or night clubs. Most people entertain among themselves in homes. On the whole, there really isn't much to do in Mauritania. So you have to make your own fun. There is always the desert to explore, and the beach is nice. Surf fishing is popular and there is a golf course of sorts here

FOOD & DINING IN MAURITANIA / MAURITANIA DINING GUIDE

Mauritania Info — Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:36 am

Author: Mauritania Info

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:36 am

FOOD & DINING IN MAURITANIA

GENERAL

Eating is better, in terms of price. You should be able to get around on US$7 a day for food, but this involves a bit of Mauritanian fast food. Nouakchott and Nouadhibou have some nice restaurants, doing mainly foreign cuisines, like Chinese, Lebanese, and Moroccan. Eating here is quite reasonable, and a three course meal shouldn't set you back more than US$7- 10. Apart from this, Mauritanian food has been considered as dull and not tasteful, but the situation has been improved in recent years by better system of food distribution all over the country.

Mauritanian food includes mechoui (whole roast lamb), dates, spiced fish and rice with vegetables, fish balls, dried fish, dried meat and couscous. Consumption of alcohol is prohibited by the Islamic faith, but alcoholic beverages may be found in hotel bars. Zrig (camel’s milk) is a common drink, as is sweet Arab tea with mint.

Tipping: 12 to 15 per cent is normal.

PLACES TO DINE

Camping Tergit
At the end of the road leading to the ocean, Nouakchott.
Tel.: (222) 5256673
Fax: (222) 5251684

SHOPPING IN MAURITANIA / MAURITANIA SHOPPING GUIDE

Mauritania Info — Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:26 am

Author: Mauritania Info

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 2007 3:26 am

SHOPPING IN MAURITANIA

Mauritania has a good range of offers for travellers looking for interesting items to shop. The main problem is that the general price level of Mauritania makes this slightly expensive. The best way of getting souvenirs at good prices, is to bring along Western goods for a trade. These products are very expensive in Mauritania and often hard for locals to get by. Such a trade will often leave both parties very satisfied.

Handicrafts such as dyed leather cushions and some engraved silver items, rugs and woodcarvings can be bought on the open market. A fine selection of silver jewellery, daggers, wood and silver chests, carpets and decorated nomad tents can be bought in the crafts centre in Nouakchott. Unique to the Tagant region are neolithic arrowheads, awls and pottery, while at Boutilimit in the south is a Marabout centre (Institute of High Islamic Studies) where fine carpets of goat and camel hair are made.

As for what to bring, the rule is that you bring all typical Western products. You either don't get it in Mauritania, or you pay more than you would be doing back home.

Shopping hours

Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1400-1900.

Banking hours

Sun-Thurs 0800-1600.

Currency

Mauritanian Ouguiya (MRO) = 5 khoums. Notes are in denominations of MRO1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of MRO20, 10, 5 and 1, and 1 and 0.2 khoums.

Currency exchange

Currency declaration forms are issued on arrival and should be kept. Currencies can be exchanged at the airport or at the main banks in Nouakchott. It is illegal to exchange money on the black market.

Credit & debit cards

Generally not accepted. American Express is accepted in a few hotels in Nouakchott and Nouadhibou. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Traveller's cheques

Limited use. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in US Dollars.

Currency restrictions

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There is no restriction on the import of foreign currency provided the amount is declared on arrival. The balance of foreign currency not spent but declared on entry may be exported, but the import declaration must be produced.