How to Find Hotels in Luanda, Angola

Sitting on the Atlantic Ocean, Luanda is the capital of Angola. Although Angola has been no stranger to violence since its 1975 independence from Portugal, achieved by military coup, adventurous tourists can enjoy world-class beaches and a rarely seen part of the world.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Visa for entry

Know Your Destination

1. Know that oil wealth keeps Angola a country of hope, while civil war, violence and infectious disease make it a somewhat dangerous place for travelers.

2. Dress for warm weather most of the year, as temperatures range from 70 to 80 degrees on average.

3. Pack warmer clothes for winter as breezes off the Atlantic Ocean keep temperatures down.

4. Bring rain gear between the months of October and May.

5. Apply for a visa early. They cost $50 USD and can take two weeks to process.

6. Make sure to carry cash. The USD is widely accepted, but only the new large-faced bills.

7. Brush up on your Portuguese (the official language), although many African dialects are also spoken.

Organize Transportation

8. Arriving by air in Luanda can be done directly from Paris, London, Lisbon and Houston.

9. Arriving by land can only be done from Namibia, as all other borders are either closed, reserved for refugees or too dangerous to cross.

10. Travel in the city is limited to car, taxi and bus, although road conditions are less than favorable.

11. Traveling around Angola is difficult due to limited rail access and dangerous conditions.

Choose Your Lodging

12. To book accommodations, contact Angola Ministry of Hotels and Tourism at 011 ([phone].

13. Accommodations are limited in Luanda and hotels should be booked online through a travel agency in advance.

14. Expect an array of prices, but the safest hotels charge around $130 USD per room.

15. Accommodations in Luanda are the safest in the entire country, but vigilance is still required.

Be Familiar with Local Information

16. Be aware that photographing government buildings or using binoculars near them can lead to arrest.

17. Be aware that some officials have been accused of trying to extort tourists.

Tips & Warnings

• All phone numbers include the United States international prefix "011." When calling internationally outside the United States, substitute that "011" with "00." All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a "+" sign.
• Malaria, hepatitis A and B, rabies and polio are all prevalent in Angola.
• In Luanda, there are two acceptable medical facilities that are expensive and demand on-the-spot payment.
• Cholera outbreaks are common.
• Tap water and drinks with ice should be avoided; use only bottled or boiled water.
• Milk is unpasteurized and should be boiled or avoided.
• Travel outside of Luanda should be avoided unless traveling with a sponsor who has guaranteed safe passage.
• There is a risk of violence and kidnapping.
• Unexploded ordinance litters the surrounding areas.
• The Angolan Civil War flares up frequently, with fighting predominantly in the northern parts of the country.