Downtown
Dakar in a word: Soulless.
Chance of Hooking up: 3 / 5
Quality of Girls: 4 / 5
Nightlife: 3.5 / 5
Smoking tolerance level: 2 / 5
Costs €$£
Beer: €2.50-€5 for a small Star beer.
Bed: €35 for a private room.
Bud: ? No more than $4 per gram.
Board: €7 for an average meal in restaurant.
Budget other: You will taxis to go anywhere. They are not cheap. One trip downtown during the day and a nighttime excursion will a cost minimum of $20 a day. It’s $10 entrance to most clubs every night, some places the beers cost $10 too! Also budget for trip to Goree island.
Overview
Dakar is my least favorite city in West Africa. It’s ugly, the people aren’t very friendly and it’s prohibitively expensive. Getting around the city is a chore. The good news: it’s highly multi-cultural and you can find a party most nights (if you have the cash), but the scene is rather soulless. Go for the weekend, see the renaissance statue, have a few beers, chat up a few chicks, then leave.
The Girls
If you haven’t already, I’d strongly recommend you read my article Sex in Africa 101 before continuing.
Aissa Maiga
Like in many parts of Africa, all the good looking women are nocturnal. The standard on the street is poor, but if you go out during the weekend to Los Almadies, your head will be spinning! You will easily see some of the sexiest bodies of your life. If you like slim, brown model-types with long legs and ample T&A, you will be in heaven. Why all this talent? All the prettiest girls of the surrounding Francophone countries come here to do some gold digging. During the week, nearly every girl out is a hardcore pro. At the weekend, you are more likely to meet wealthy local girls just out for a good time and expats. If you look foreign, you have zero exotic capital as most guys who can afford to go are non-black. You will need a little French in most cases, but many girls have very basic English. Enough to say “You need friend?” or “We go home?”. Most girls are Muslim and do not drink. Expect to be asked to pay for $6 cokes. Never do this. In my experience, Dakar has the most hardcore pros in West Africa. Be careful. Consider pipelining to weed out decent women. Day game is also an option, consider restaurants and malls.
Nightlife Recommendations
The nightlife is Dakar is very disappointing given the population. Nightlife is sparse with the exception of the overpriced Los Almadies strip. In all likelihood you will end up here. Dakar is considerably more enjoyable at the weekend. Ask around, I’m convinced there’s a better Dakar out there somewhere.
La Patio
Busy every night, free in and on the strip: this place restaurant / bar / nightclub looks like it should belong in Havana. It has a great vibe and attracts tons of gorgeous girls. Most end up in the pokey nightclub attached. Be warned as soon as you enter the club part the drink doubles in price. You will be spoiled for choice, but remember most girls are not there for the atmosphere. Considering exchanging numbers and meeting up when she’s off duty.
Duplex club
Up the road from La Patio. You are more likely to find good girls here. The most renowned club in Dakar has an entrance is $10 everynight and beers are the same price. If you got the cash to splash head here after a few warm up drinks in Le Patio.
Le Mix in the opposite direction is similary priced to Duplex, but the crowd’s a little older.
Getting High
Where to buy marijuana: Not that easy. Dakar is a world away from Gambia and the locals are quite paranoid of the police. Ask the staff in your hotel. Your best bet is to bring some in Gambia. They didn’t check out bags at the border. There is a lot of tourists on this route.
Marijuana Prices: Unpredictable, don’t get ripped off. Typically a small bag of a little over 5 grams should cost no more than $20.
My Dakar Experience
Mixed. My french was seriously put to the test as it was the start of our trip. We stayed here four nights but end only going out two. The last night I brought back a girl from the Congo, but that didn’t end well (complicated). I was asked out by a sexy Senegalese waitress but alas I was leaving that day. In truth, I was delighted to be leaving Dakar; the city is a shit hole.
😉
Why not check out more Cheeky City Guides?
Doesn’t sound like much of a honeymoon destination eh? Ha.What happened with the girl from the Congo?
@The Hunger: Let’s just say my gut told me bringing her into the room was a bad idea. I got the ‘I’m going to rob your ass’ vibe off her.
I sounds like a seriously dissapointing city. What’s up with the prices ? Its still Afrika right ?
I just the Bolivian flag last night. What a battle and a train wreck of a lay. need to upgrade that flag pronto.
@Neil: You’d be surprised. West Africa is more expensive than Eastern Europe.
At least its a new flag.
Hi!
I know it’s OT, but I was curious to know in which countries shave or do not shave their pussies (&c.). Please! Do a post about that!
Cheers!
In 2011, I’ve never been to a country where chicas don’t shave. Even in the third world they sort that shit out.
PS: correction “…in which countries [girls] shave…”
Looks like you’re going to have to add one more country to your list if you want to achieve your “going to every country” goal http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/05/south-sudan-un_n_890705.html
I’m considering moving to Dakar for work. Its easy to hook up with girls in Senegal even though the majority are Muslim? Is the city a shithole? I heard its development is booming and the beaches are beautiful.
Yes to both questions. Beaches are so so
yo im thinking of going to senegal on holiday but spending 3 nights in dakar, i heard its extremely friendly and the clubs are amazing…..how expensive is it tho????
I can’t imagine why you say that Dakar is unfriendly.
I have visited Senegal often and Dakar is one of the most friendly places in the whole of West Africa.
I agree it can be expensive, and a little crazy at times, but the local people are quite wonderful.
The Senegalese (like Gambians) are some opf the most accomodating and charming people I’ve found in Africa.
Dakar is not really a holiday city anyway, so its better to stay on the coast or go to Saint Louis in the north (fabulous small city).
For a peaceful, chilled vacation, go to The Gambia.
It is also cheaper there.
Peace…
awesome and quite spot on, lol
Taxis are much cheaper than what you paid for them, you could easily manage to get around for a day in taxis for 10 dollars if you knew some lines
You naughty boy, what did you expect to see? I guess, being an average joe was a bit too much for you. Or were you expecting being hoisted like a god sent white boy – like johnny just dropped from the sky? Between your lines, i sense a feeling of being treated like an average cheap guy. Am i wrong? Please, let me know. Thanks for your time.
I expected not to pay 5 star prices in one of the world’ biggest shitholes.
awesome and quite spot on, lol
Even among the world biggest shitholes, there should be a rating system. I guess, then dakar is a 5 stars shithole. Backpackers know better than going to the Almadies. Even the homegrown middle class does not go to the 5 stars shitholes expecting to be treated according to their standard. I think, you would be more useful to your audience – who, i believe, is interested in a downhome style vacation, if you roam witihn your/their means. Unless you are pretentious backpacker. Thanks
Where else would you recommend for some laid back fun in the city?
entirely understandable that a no money guy, French illiterate would be lost in Dakar
Hi,
Im going in a month time to Senegal for 2 weeks.
Any recommendations on how how I will manage around? Learn some French words maybe?
Assistance will be appreciated!!
Defo learn some French. Try Pimsleur French!
Nomad you’re right with the gold digging girls but guess what, Le Patio’s entire business scheme is built around that. Seems like you need a local to better guide you around our “shithole”. Les Almadies strip is the most expensive area you could have possibly been to and all the spots you talked about unfortunately happen to be right there. And lastly as someone else alluded to, the taxis definitely got you cause the longest rides within the city shouldn’t top 3000 francs or $6. If you ever visit again ask how much before getting on, and just a walkaway bluff would most likely cut the price in half.
Japanese, and a lot of Chinese women don’t shave.
Halo people am your responsible source to get bud and any substance you want in dakar,my number is discreet and follow professional steps to deliver it to your place.just use the number 0938070099
WhatsApp is great as it is p2p encryption.0938070099 get your buds and any substance you want
I think the reason you had such a crappy time , is because you went there looking for all the wrong things . Like weed , hoes , and etc. Senegal is a beautiful place , and full of amazing, respectful people . If your looking for the low life stuff , you need to back to america . Smh
And senegal is not expensive whatsoever , the just take advantage of ignorant people . Like yourself , all that you paid for taxis and etc you could have got it way more cheaper . Senegal is a third world country , regular people would not be able to survive on the prices you listed above.
I’m sorry you didn’t like Dakar that much, but I think that a lot of the bad experiences you got were because you didn’t know the right places to go to, or you were crooked because you’re a foreigner.
Firstly, taxis are super cheap here. You have to negotiate with them before you get in the car, but it’s a basket case if you don’t speak any wolof. You say you spent $20 a day on taxis ? It would be closer to $5 dollars a day if you didn’t get crooked.
Secondly, there are more places to party at than the few you mentioned. You should go to the Pacha, Baramundi, Vogue, etc… these are very popular places to go to at night that you apparently didn’t visit.
🙂
I am a white American male, speak minimal French and have been coming to Senegal many years. You need to overcome the language barrier. Yes you do not find the debauchery of Nairobi but you can meet beautiful loving Senegalese ladies who will treat you like a king. The first thing is to take ones time at a bar and do not go for the first several “professionals” who will approach you, being courteous but firm (these are not mean spirited ladies, just trying to make ends meet, so be nice) and make an effort to meet a lady who waits for you to make the move. You have to be willing to get out there and dance and show some respect and you will be rewarded if you are gentlemen. These are ladies that have a day job that typically do not pay all that well but are looking to have some fun and pick up some extra cash. I have had many fine mistresses who when taken to a restaurant or a club turn heads, being drop dead gorgeous and very sweet.
Nomad,
Am planning to visit ma girl friend in Dakar. Like to get some safe and clean bed and breakfast arrangements during July-Aug.2015.
Are there self drive rental cars/bikes available in Senegal?
I would also like to know, as a foreigner can i open a bank account in foreign / local currency ?
Can i get long term retirement residence permit in Senegal?
Thanks.
Google dude.
I lived there for almost 2 years..from 2013 to 2015 I found it extremely opposite of what you mentioned above, the city is great, good weather, nice people, expensive..yes, but totally worth for the service you get compared to other African countries, it might not be an ideal place for a two night travel or you should have done some work before reaching or with a local person, Sally is a paradise, not sure why u haven’t mentioned about that! Anyway those who are planning to go for a long visit or to work there…believe me…the place is fine..just go for it!
Could I open a bar there? Could I teach English? Is the a petty crime, mafia police problem?