Capital: Djibouti
Time zone: GMT + 3
Telephone services: Country Code: 253 Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Not present.
Tourist information: Office Nationale du Tourisme et de l’Artisanat (ONTA), BP 1938, place du 27 juin, Djibouti, Djibouti Tel: 353 790 Fax: 356 322.
Passport information: Valid passport required by all. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may be subject to change at short notice. Contact the appropriate diplomatic or consular authority before finalising travel arrangements.
Visa information: Required by all except nationals of France for a maximum stay of 3 months. An extension may be granted in Djibouti on request to the headquarters of the Police Nationale. Entry and Transit Visas are granted
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination Required.
Malaria: Take precautions as Falciparum variety exists throughout the year. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.
Yellow Fever: Required. A vaccination certificate is required for visitors over one year of age arriving from infected areas.
Other Health Risks: Cholera.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Djibouti Franc (DFr) = 100 Centimes.
Credit cards are accepted by airlines and large hotels only. French is the preferred currency in travellers cheques, but they are only accepted if marked as an External Account or Pour Compte Etranger. Sterling and US Dollars also accepted.
ATM availability: Unavailable
Cost of living: Expensive and should be avoided by those with tight budgets.
Languages: Arabic and French. English is spoken by hoteliers, taxi drivers and traders.
Weather: Very hot and dry between June and August. Slightly cooler between October and April with occasional rain.
Electricity: 220 Volts Ac 50 Hz
Post: Approximately 1 week to Europe by Airmail
Transport: TAXIS: Fares increase 50% after dark. CAR HIRE: 4 -wheel drive is recommended. Water and petrol supplies must be carried. RAIL: There is only 1 service to Ethiopia which tourists and business people are prohibited from using.
Special information: NOTE: HIGH RISK All but essential travel to Djibouti should be avoided. Do not use land border crossings Areas of the country are closed, and risk of banditry and fighting is prevalent in certain areas. Check with the Foreign and Commonwealth Travel Advice unit before departure. Visitors should register with their Embassy or Consulate shortly after arrival. Despite Djibouti being a Muslim country, casual wear is acceptable. However beach-wear should not be worn in the towns.