How to Find Hotels in Djibouti City, Djibouti

For an action-packed trip to the Republic of Djibouti, Djibouti City is the place to go. About two thirds of the country's population lives in this capital city. Investigate the local open-air markets for a true taste of Djibouti City.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A phrasebook to help you communicate with the locals.
• A map of Djibouti City.

Plan Your Itinerary

1. Buy a rug or a tanned animal hide at Djibouti City's Central Market.

2. Attend a sporting event at the Stade de Ville stadium.

3. Pay a visit to the Hamouli Mosque.

4. Learn about traditional Djibouti crafts from the National Tourism Office.

5. See an art exhibit at the Centre Culturel. To find the dates of exhibitions, visit the Djibouti Telecom Web site.

Find the Right Accommodations

6. Examine your itinerary and your map of Djibouti City to decide what part of town to stay in.

7. Choose accommodations close to the central market to make souvenir shopping quick and easy.

8. Make reservations at a beachfront hotel and relax on the beaches of Djibouti City's eastern shore. Dorale and Khor Ambado are both popular beaches for swimming or a pleasant walk in the sand.

9. Arrange for accommodations on a large fishing boat if the open water and up-close observation of Djibouti's busy seaports appeals to you.

10. Choose the eastern area of Djibouti City for quick access to the ocean and beachfront restaurants.

11. Peruse the list of hotel accommodations available in the tourism section of Djibouti Telecom's Web site to see what's available in different areas of town, then make reservations through a travel agent or online.

Tips & Warnings

• Djibouti is a Muslim country. If you plan on visiting a mosque while you are there, be sure to observe the rules and proper etiquette. Remove your shoes, and if you are a woman, wear a head covering.
• Know the language. You can get by with a smattering of French and Arabic, but you'll also hear plenty of Somali and Afar. It's a good idea to know a few essential phrases and questions in at least one of these languages.
• Familiarize yourself with the exchange rate so you'll know what you're paying when you buy food or souvenirs. One American dollar is equivalent to about 170 Djibouti francs.
• Pack for warm weather! Djibouti is a desert country with average year round temperatures of about 90 degrees, so plan for the heat and remember to drink plenty of bottled water while you're there.