Mauritania

Government advisories

• ☐ United States: level 3/4 — Level 3: Reconsider Travel
• ☐ United Kingdom: level 2/4
• ☐ Canada: level 3/4 — Avoid non-essential travel (with regional advisories)

Health notices

• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Diphtheria in Sub-Saharan Africa (level 1)
• ☐ Global Measles (level 1)

Entry requirements

☐ Most visitors to Mauritania may obtain an electronic visa to Mauritania, unless they are a national of one of the visa-exempt countries.

Practical

• ☐ Plug type C/E/F, 220V — bring an adapter if yours differs
• ☐ Drives on the right
• ☐ Emergency (police): 117
• ☐ Emergency (ambulance): 101
• ☐ Emergency (fire): 118
• ☐ Money: The country's currency is the Mauritanian ouguiya (pron. oo-gee-ya), denoted by the symbol "UM" or "أوقية‎‎" (ISO code: MRU). It was revalued in Dec 2017: 10 old UM (ISO: MRO) = 1 new UM (MRU). Prices are occasionally still written in the old MRO system, especially in restaurants and hotels that cater to Westerners, so don't be put off by the seemingly high prices.

Laws that could get a tourist arrested

• ☐ Restricted military zones — The Mauritanian armed forces close certain parts of the country to tourists, particularly in the eastern and northern regions. Verify which regions are closed before planning your travel.
• ☐ Apostasy and blasphemy — Criticizing or disrespecting Islam is a crime. The death penalty is statutory for apostasy and blasphemy.
• ☐ Religious literature and debate — Distributing non-Islamic religious literature or encouraging religious debates is prohibited. Avoid speaking negatively about Islam.
• ☐ Same-sex sexual activity — Same-sex sexual activity is a severe offense. It is punishable by death for men and a lengthy prison sentence for women.

Before you go

General trip-prep, not specific to Mauritania — the same short list applies anywhere.

• ☐ Register with your embassy's traveler program if one exists
• ☐ Check your passport's validity and blank-page requirements on your destination's official entry-rules page
• ☐ Photograph/screenshot your passport, visa, and travel insurance documents
• ☐ Download offline maps for your destination
• ☐ Confirm your bank/card issuer knows you're traveling
• ☐ Check whether your phone plan needs a travel add-on or a local SIM