How to Find Luxury Hotels in Djibouti City, Djibouti

Djibouti is the capital of Djibouti. Rather, the city of Djibouti is the capital of the Republic of Djibouti. But as the capital is the only city in this small country, they are somewhat interchangeable. Nevertheless, the city's location on the Gulf of Aden makes it a beautiful coastal town.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Credit card
• Passport
• Visa
• Telephone
• Computer with Internet access

Choose Your Lodgings

1. Stay on the beach in the Djibouti Palace Kempinski, located just outside the city center. Request a deluxe or presidential suite for views of the Red Sea. Reservations can be made online at the hotel's Web site (see Resources below) or by phone at 011 ([phone]. Rates are moderate.

2. Head to the port. Located in the northwest section of the city, the port is the most important commercial area in the country.

3. Lounge on the city's eastern coast. Djibouti provides plenty of hot, sunny weather; make good use of it on these white, sandy beaches located on the Gulf of Aden.

Organize Transportation

4. Fly into Djibouti-Ambouli International Airport and take a taxi to your accommodations.

5. Use taxis to get around both the city and the country.

6. Travel by bus between cities if you are not in a hurry and want to spend time with the locals. Buses do not leave for a destination until they are full, so choose them only as a last resort or for a unique tourist experience. Reliable train service is available to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia.

Know Your Destination

7. Know that the city of Djibouti is the center of government, population, commerce and tourism for the country.

8. Obtain a visa from the Djibouti Embassy in Washington before your trip. Apply at least a month in advance to ensure ample time for processing. For information, call [phone].

Tips & Warnings

• 011 is the dialing prefix used for telephoning abroad from the United States. If you're calling from another country, check which international dialing prefix to use. All country codes are within parentheses and begin with a “+” sign.
• You will need a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever to enter the country. Check the Centers for Disease Control Web site (see Resources below) for additional health guidelines.
• Djibouti has a very hot climate--make sure your room has air conditioning.
• Don't expect metered fares when you hire taxis, as drivers usually charge flat fees. Negotiate these fees in advance to avoid unexpectedly high charges.