TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
TBA |
| Currency |
(MRO)
Ouguiya |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 222 |
Climate:
Most of the country is hot and dry with practically no rain. In
the south, however, rainfall is higher with a rainy season which
runs from July to September. The coast is tempered by trade winds
and is mild with the exception of the hot Nouakchott region (where
the rainy season begins a month later). Deserts are cooler and
windy in March and April.
Clothing:
Lightweight cottons and linens, with a warm wrap for cool evenings.
Waterproofs are necessary for the rainy season.
Food
& Drink: Moroccan, Lebanese, Chinese and French restaurants
can be found in the capital, especially in hotels. Local cuisine,
based on lamb, goat and rice can be sampled throughout 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.
Shopping:
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.
Shopping
hours: Sat-Thurs 0800-1200 and 1400-1900.
Currency:
Mauritanian Ouguiya (UM) = 5 khoums. Notes are in denominations
of UM1000, 500, 200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of UM20,
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.
Travellers
cheques: Limited use. To avoid additional exchange rate
charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in
US Dollars.
Language:
The official language is Arabic. The Moors of Arab/Berber
stock, speaking Hassaniya dialects of Arabic, comprise the majority
of the people. Other dialects include Soninke, Poular and Wolof.
French and English are increasingly spoken.
Religion:
Islam is the official religion. Despite ethnic and cultural
differences among Mauritanians, they are all bound by a common
Muslim attachment to the Malekite sect.
Time:
GMT.
Electricity:
127/220 volts AC, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are normal.
