Dakar: What to Know Before You Go

Short answer: carry your physical passport when heading to the port for the Île de Gorée ferry, ride the electric TER train from the airport whenever you travel during daytime operating hours, agree on yellow taxi fares before stepping inside (or use a ride-hailing app), and never skip a polite greeting before asking a question.

Teranga, Wolof and French greetings

Social life in Senegal revolves around Teranga, an ethic of warmth, patience and hospitality toward guests. Entering a shop, taxi or market stall and immediately barking a question without saying hello is considered abrupt. Always begin with a friendly Bonjour or Bonsoir in French, or the universal Wolof exchange: Salaam aleekum (answered with Maleekum salaam), followed by Nanga def? ("How are you?") and Mangi fi rekk ("I am well, thank you"). Adding Jërëjëf ("thank you" in Wolof) brings instant smiles from Plateau to Ngor Island.

Gorée ferry passports, cash and cards

Although Île de Gorée is part of the city of Dakar just twenty minutes offshore, boarding the state passenger ferry (la chaloupe) at the Gare Maritime Internationale requires presenting an original passport or official photo ID at the ticket window. For everyday spending, upmarket hotels, supermarkets and oceanfront restaurants in Plateau and Les Almadies accept Visa and Mastercard, but street taxis, pirogue crossings to Ngor, tailors, fruit vendors and neighbourhood dibiteries run entirely on cash notes in small denominations.

Ocean currents and peninsula geography

Because the Cap-Vert peninsula juts deep into the Atlantic, ocean currents can be strong along open beaches. Swim only at sheltered bays such as Plage de Ngor, the island coves or monitored stretches of Virage and Yoff, ask permission before photographing fishing crews at Soumbédioune, and use our transport breakdown to move smoothly between the southern and western tips of the capital without getting stuck in weekday commuter traffic.