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Eastern Africa

DjiboutiTravel guide

Explore Djibouti visa rulesCommon scams in Djibouti

Djibouti is on the Gulf of Aden in the Horn of Africa. It has coastal plains, volcanic plateaus and northern mountains, with very little land suitable for farming.

Why go

  1. Lake Assal lies 150 metres below sea level.

  2. Lake Abbe has limestone chimneys up to 50 metres high.

  3. Coastal reefs have abundant sea life.

  4. The Gulf of Tadjoura and Ghoubet Kharrib offer sea kayaking.

Best time to go: October to April is cooler, with occasional rain. November to January offers the best chance of seeing whale sharks.

Getting there

By air

  • Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport is 5 kilometres south of Djibouti City. Its airport code is JIB.
  • The airport has connections with Ethiopia, Eritrea, France, Kenya, Qatar, Somalia, Somaliland, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

By land

  • Roads connect Djibouti with Assab in Eritrea and with Ethiopia through Dikhil. Road conditions are generally poor, and travel can involve security risks.
  • Check transit rules before travelling through Ethiopia or Eritrea because political conditions change. There are no formal border posts with Eritrea, and the border region is extremely unsafe.
  • Passenger trains connect Addis Ababa with Djibouti City. The journey covers more than 700 kilometres and reportedly takes about 12 hours.

By sea

  • Ferry services connect Djibouti with Yemen.

Customs

  • Khat cannot be taken out of Djibouti through the airport. This leafy stimulant is also illegal to possess in many other countries.

Getting around

  • Taxi

    Taxis operate in Djibouti City, Ali-Sabieh, Dikhil, Dorale and Arta. Look for the billboard showing expected taxi fares when leaving the airport. Fares can rise by 50% after dark.

  • Bus and minibus

    Buses connect Djibouti City with most towns and villages. They leave when full. Minibuses in Djibouti stop on request and use fixed fares.

  • Ferry

    Ferries leave daily from L'Escale in Djibouti City for Tadjoura and Obock. The journey takes about three hours.

  • Car

    Drive on the right and take extra care in chaotic traffic. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommended for the interior. Avoid driving outside Djibouti City after dark. Some vehicles have no working headlights, and livestock may be on the road. Carry extra water and petrol when leaving main routes. An International Driving Permit is recommended but is not legally required.

What to see and do

  • Lake Assal

    At 150 metres below sea level, this is the third-lowest point on Earth. Hire a car or arrange a ride with a resident, and expect rough roads.

  • Lake Abbe

    This remote landscape has limestone chimneys up to 50 metres high. Its appearance is often compared to the moon.

  • Devil's Island

    The road to Lake Assal passes within sight of the island and offers impressive views.

  • Scuba diving

    Reefs off the coast support many kinds of sea life.

  • Sea kayaking

    Explore the Gulf of Tadjoura and Ghoubet Kharrib by kayak. You may see whale sharks and sea turtles.

  • Whale shark tours

    Snorkelling and diving trips offer a chance to see whale sharks. The source gives a 70–80% chance in November to January, falling close to zero in warmer months.

Food and drink

  • Local food

    Local dishes are much cheaper than Western food. Meals outside tourist areas average US$4 with a drink.

  • Ethiopian Community Center

    This offers a wide choice of tasty local dishes at reasonable prices.

  • Western food

    Djibouti City has many places serving Western food, but it is often expensive.

  • Drinking water

    Tap water is unsafe to drink unless it has been boiled or otherwise treated to kill germs.

Money

Djiboutian franc, written as Fdj or DJF.

  • The franc is tied to the US dollar at a fixed exchange rate. The source lists about 178 francs to US$1 as of July 2026.
  • Street money changers work in the Djibouti market area and are generally honest. Have your money ready and check the exchange rate beforehand.
  • Larger department stores accept US dollars for food and general goods.
  • Tourist shops may use poor exchange rates and charge high prices.

Typical costs

  • A meal outside tourist areas averages US$4, including a drink.
  • About 1 gigabyte of mobile data costs US$3.
  • Western food is often expensive, while local food is much cheaper.

Language

  • French and Arabic are the official languages.
  • Somali and Afar are widely spoken.
  • English may be spoken at tourist facilities, but most locals and taxi drivers do not speak it.

Staying safe

  • The border region with Eritrea is extremely unsafe because of a long-running border dispute.
  • There is a risk of banditry outside Djibouti City.
  • Avoid driving outside the capital after dark because of unlit vehicles and livestock on roads.
  • Natural hazards include earthquakes, droughts and flash floods. Storms from the Indian Ocean can bring heavy rain.
2 common scams in Djibouti, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Follow local customs in this Muslim country. Casual clothing is widely accepted.
  • Expect many restaurants to close until dusk during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting.
  • Expect shorter working hours during Ramadan.

Don't

  • Avoid wearing shorts outside hotels, beaches or sporting activities.
  • Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, even if you are not Muslim.

Staying healthy

  • Health insurance is advisable. Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment.
  • A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for visitors over one year old arriving from infected areas.
  • Cholera is a serious risk. Seek up-to-date advice about precautions and whether vaccination is appropriate.
  • Vaccination against typhoid is usually advised.

Phone and internet

  • The country has a third-generation mobile phone network, known as 3G, using the 900 megahertz frequency band.
  • The maximum stated speed is 7 megabits per second, but actual speeds are lower.
  • About 1 gigabyte of data costs US$3.

Outdoor adventures in Djibouti

Djibouti has salt lakes, volcanic landscapes and coastal reefs rich in marine life. Visitors can explore by sea kayak or snorkel and dive with whale sharks. October to April is cooler, while summer is very hot.

  • Lake Assal

    More to do

    October to April has cooler weather.

    Hire a car or ask someone who lives in Djibouti to drive you there.

    • Expect a rough drive. Truck traffic has badly damaged roads outside the capital.
    • There is a risk of banditry outside the capital.

  • Whale shark tours

    SnorkellingOff Djibouti's coast

    November to January

    Join a whale shark tour to snorkel or scuba dive with them.

  • Lake Abbe

    More to doEthiopian border

    October to April has cooler weather.

    • There is a risk of banditry outside the capital.
    • Summer is very hot.

  • Coastal reef diving

    Scuba divingDjibouti's coast

    Explore the reefs off the coast by scuba diving.

  • Gulf of Tadjoura sea kayaking

    KayakingGulf of Tadjoura

    Explore the gulf by sea kayak.

  • Ghoubet Kharrib sea kayaking

    KayakingGhoubet Kharrib

    Explore Ghoubet Kharrib by sea kayak.

  • Day Forest National Park

    More to do

    October to April has cooler weather.

    • There is a risk of banditry outside the capital.

Airports, metros and trains in Djibouti

Airports with scheduled flights

  • JIBDjibouti-Ambouli AirportDjibouti CityMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
93 km
Electrified
81 km

People and safety in Djibouti

Religion

Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.

  • Muslim97%
  • Christian2%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #146 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

58% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 25 of 198 countries can visit Djibouti easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required2
  • Visa on arrival23
  • eVisa172
  • Visa required1

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Europe12 of 46 countries
  • Asia9 of 50 countries
  • Americas3 of 35 countries
  • Africa1 of 53 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

When is the weather cooler?

October to April is cooler, with occasional rain. Summer is very hot.

Will people understand English?

English may be spoken at tourist facilities, but it is not widely spoken by locals or taxi drivers. French, Arabic, Somali and Afar are more useful.

What money should I use?

The local currency is the Djiboutian franc. Larger department stores also accept US dollars.

How do local buses work?

Buses leave when full. Minibuses stop on request and charge fixed fares.

Can I drink the tap water?

Only if it has been boiled or otherwise treated to kill germs.

Can I eat cheaply?

Local food is much cheaper than Western food. A meal outside tourist areas averages US$4, including a drink.

When can I see whale sharks?

The best chance is November to January. Sightings are close to zero during warmer months.

What should I wear?

Casual clothing is widely accepted. Shorts are generally inappropriate outside hotels, beaches and sporting activities.

Can I travel by ferry within Djibouti?

Daily ferries run from L'Escale in Djibouti City to Tadjoura and Obock. The journey takes about three hours.

Will I need cash for medical care?

Doctors and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment. Health insurance is advisable.

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