Mid-Range Travel Guide: Dakar

Accommodation

$35-85 per night

Private rooms in mid-range hotels, boutique guesthouses, or well-located hotels with private bathrooms and basic amenities

Food & Dining

$15-40 per day

Mix of local restaurants, hotel dining, seafood spots near the coast, and occasional upscale Senegalese cuisine

Transportation

$8-25 per day

Combination of taxis, ride-sharing apps, occasional private transfers, and some public transport for longer distances

Activities

$20-60 per day

Guided city tours, island excursions, cultural sites, art galleries, music venues, and organized day trips

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)