How to Find Hotels in Mauritania

Bordered by the countries of Senegal, Mali and Algeria, Mauritania is a country located in northwest Africa. Known for the friendliness of its people, Mauritania is a vast country because of its many remote desert areas and the wide expanse of the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, which borders the country on one side. Read on to learn how to find accommodations in Mauritania.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer with Internet access
• Passport
• Proof of yellow fever vaccine
• Visa

Book Suitable Accommodations

1. Find accommodations through the Mauritania Ministry of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism at 011 ([phone].
2. Try a budget hotel for decent accommodations in Nouakchott for little money, but do not to expect to find much else for lodging or accommodations outside of this city.
3. Stay downtown in Nouakchott, where most of the accommodations are, for moderate prices. Only 15 minutes from the beach, close to the embassy and international airport, this location is a good option for many travelers.

Find Transportation

4. Take an expensive charter flight from France to Atar, a desert area of Mauritania. Otherwise, flights can be taken from Europe to Nouakchott, the capital of this country.
5. Rent a 4 x 4 vehicle to get around Mauritania. This allows access through some of the desert locations other vehicles cannot navigate.
6. Pay for public transportation to get between some of the major cities within Mauritania.
7. Go for a ride on the desert train for a more exclusive look at the remote desert areas.

Know Your Destination

8. Become familiar with the Arabic language, or at least some key phrases, as it is the official language of Mauritania.
9. Convert American dollars to Ouguiya, the currency of the area.
10. Bring along a passport, visa and proof of yellow fever vaccine, all of which are needed upon entering the country.
11. Know that this country is predominantly Muslim and the population depends strongly upon their agriculture and livestock.

Visit Local Attractions

12. Drive to the ocean at Banc d' Argun to see the many large sand dunes and the countless number of birds in the area.
13. Make a trip to see Ardar, a rocky desert location that has small mountains and fewer dunes.
14. Stop at the Terjit Oasis, located in the Sahara desert or hike the dunes around that area of Mauritania.

Tips & Warnings

• Book accommodations online to find exclusive package deals.
• The Mauritania Ministry of Commerce, Handicrafts and Tourism has no booking Web site.
• 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.
• If you plan to visit the Sahara Desert, only do so with a suitable guide, a reliable vehicle and a supply of food and water.
• When traveling in Mauritania, keep in mind it is illegal to import alcohol into the country.

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