Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Cameroon depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for CameroonEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 17
- Ambulance
- 15
Currency
- Name
- Central African CFA Franc
- Code
- XAF
- Symbol
- CFA
Cash economy. ATMs available in Yaoundé and Douala. Orange Money and MTN Mobile Money are widely used. USD and EUR exchangeable at banks.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type E
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
WAT (UTC+1) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
November–March is the dry season — best for hiking Mount Cameroon, the highest peak in West Africa, and wildlife in Waza National Park. April–October is wet season; the south is equatorial and wet year-round.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Not always expected in local eateries |
| Guides (Mount Cameroon) | $10–15 USD per day | — |
| Hotels | CFA 1,000–2,000 for porters | — |
Dress Code
- Modest dress throughout, especially in the predominantly Muslim north
- Practical clothing for hiking Mount Cameroon (layers — it gets cold at altitude)
- Smart casual in Douala and Yaoundé
Social Etiquette
- Cameroon is bilingual (French and English) and multicultural — 250+ ethnic groups with extraordinary diversity
- Greet everyone before beginning any interaction — a direct question without greeting is rude
- Football (soccer) is a national obsession — the Lions Indomptables unite the country
- The Bamileke people of the western highlands are known for their elaborate funerary and cultural festivals
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- The Anglophone crisis (northwest and southwest regions) involves an ongoing armed conflict — check your government's travel advisory before visiting those areas
- LGBTQ+ activity is criminalised and prosecutions occur regularly
- Photography of military, police, government buildings, and the Presidential Palace is prohibited
- Corruption at police roadblocks exists — stay calm, polite, and carry all required documents
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (French) | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| How are you? (French) | Comment ça va? | koh-MAHN sah VAH |
| Thank you (French) | Merci beaucoup | mehr-SEE boh-KOO |
| No problem (Cameroonian Pidgin) | No wahala | noh wah-HAH-lah |
| Let's go (French/Pidgin) | Allons-y / Make we go | ah-lohn-ZEE / make wee GO |
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