Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Dakar

Accommodation

$8-25 per night

Shared dormitories in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget hotels with shared bathrooms, or homestays in local neighborhoods

Food & Dining

$5-15 per day

Street food stalls, local markets, traditional Senegalese eateries, thieboudienne from neighborhood spots, and occasional self-catering

Transportation

$2-8 per day

Public buses (car rapides), shared taxis (sept-places), walking, and occasional motorcycle taxis for short distances

Activities

$3-12 per day

Free walking tours, public beaches, local markets, occasional museum visits, and community cultural experiences

Eat at local markets and street food stalls instead of tourist restaurants (typically 60-80% cheaper)

Use public buses and shared taxis instead of private taxis (usually 70-85% savings on transportation)

Stay in neighborhoods like Medina or Grand Dakar rather than tourist areas (generally 30-50% less for accommodation)

Buy fresh produce from local markets for breakfast and snacks (can reduce food costs by 40-60%)

Visit free attractions like public beaches and local markets instead of paid tours (saves $20-50 per day)

Travel during rainy season for significantly lower accommodation rates (typically 25-45% cheaper)

Book accommodation directly with properties rather than through booking sites (often 10-20% savings)

Taking taxis everywhere instead of learning the public transport system (can cost 4-6x more daily)

Eating only in Niamey tourist restaurants instead of exploring local neighborhoods (typically 100-200% markup)

Booking accommodation at the last minute during high season (usually 50-100% more expensive)

Not negotiating prices at markets and with taxi drivers (can overpay by 30-80%)

Changing money at hotels instead of official exchange bureaus (typically 5-15% worse rates)