✈️ Heading to Gabon? We've gathered some tips from the bunq community to make sure your trip is the smoothest it can be. 😎
Check them out below! 🌈 👇
Using your card
💳 Do I need cash in Gabon, or can I use my card everywhere?
Cash is king in Gabon, so make sure you have enough. Cards, especially Mastercard are often only accepted at high end hotels.
EcoBank ATM accepts Mastercard.
💰 What currency do they use here?
The currency of Gabon is called the Central African CFA franc (XAF). The symbol is FCFA, but is also called céfa or Franc
To give you an indications: 1.000 franc is around the €1,52 (September 2019).
🏧 Which ATM’s can I use for free?
No tips yet.
💵 If I want cash, how much should I take out of an ATM?
With 200.000 Franc (around the €305) you will get by for a few days.
Staying connected
📱 Can I roam, or should I get a local SIM?
It is recommended that you buy a local sim when you arrive. You can use Gabon Telecom or Airtel Gabony.
Useful things to know
💁♀️ How does tipping work?
Taxi: it is not expected, but feel free to round it up if you enjoyed the ride.
Restaurants: between 5-10%
🍺 How much does a 0.5L beer cost?
This will cost 1.424 Franc (around the €2,17)
🍽 How much does an average meal cost?
A basic meal in a fastfood restaurant will cost between around the 4.500 Franc (around the €6,70). It you want to eat a bit more fancy, you will pay around the 18.000 Franc (around the €27,50).
🚨 What’s the emergency number?
- Ambulance: 1300, 1399
- Fire: 18
- Police 177 (in Libreville: 01 76 55 85; in Port-Gentil: 07 36 22 25)
🔌 What type of plug do they use?
They use a so called type C plug, it looks like this:
🚗 What side of the road do they drive on?
They drive on the right side of the road here.
🗺 How do I navigate my way around?
✈️ plane
The fastest way to move around is by plane. Keep in mind, flights aren’t cheap nor regular.
🚙 car
One they airport there a several places where you can rent a car. Roads are not great so for instance be aware to rent a 4x4 during the raining season. You can also hire someone that will drive you all day.
🚌 bus
Most buses are elderly, have open windows and the seats are hard, but it's cheaper and often more comfortable than being cramped in a taxi.
🚖 taxi
Taxies are available. You can a taxi with no passengers or just buy a seat and share a taxi. To stop a taxi, stand on the correct site of the road. When a taxi starts to slow down, shout ‘one place’ followed by the name of your destination. If the taxi driver wants to take you, he will stop.
🚤 boat
There are also different type of boats you can take.
❗️ Safety Tips
- Do not drink tap water. Bottled water is widely available.
- Recommanded vacations: Hepatitis A and B, polio, tetanus, diptheria, and typhoid
- Smoking is not allowed in public places. It's frowned upon for women to smoke.
🏜 Must See
Things you must visit while your are staying in Gabon
- Loango National Park
- Fernan Vaz Lagoon
- Ivindo National Park
- Makokou & Kongou Falls
👀 Any other good tips?
If you've been to Gabon 🇮🇹 share your experience! The following would be really useful for other bunqers to know:
- Which ATMs are free to use?
- What card should I use and where?
- Any other info you think may be useful.
Share your experience with us in the comments below! 🌈 👇
