Prepare your Stay

Travel & Visa Information: 
Every year, Djibouti welcomes thousands of travellers from all over the world:: tourists, travellers, merchants, military and officials. Djibouti Ville includes all foreign local embassies. 

All visitors to Djibouti must obtain either a visa on arrival to Djibouti, an electronic visa online or a visa from one of the Djiboutian diplomatic missions prior to arrival in Djibouti.

CLIMATE
The Republic of Djibouti has a warm semi-arid climate, with two distinct seasons: the fresh season from October to March with an average temperature of 25 °C and a warm season from April to September with an average temperature of 35°C. Rainfall is irregular and very rare.

LANGUAGE
The official languages are Arabic and French, but the practice of English is common.

CURRENCY
The local currency is the Djiboutian Franc, the rate of which is modelled on the US dollar.
1 USD = 177 DJF
International credit cards are accepted.

RELIGION
Freedom of worship is enshrined in the constitution but Islam is the official religion of the country. This implies respect for local customs in terms of behaviour (clothing, alcohol consumption, etc.).

TELEPHONE & INTERNET
Prefix to call from abroad to Djibouti: +253
Calling code from Djibouti abroad: 00 + country code prefix + correspondent no.
Useful numbers:
Police: 17
Firemen: 18
Central Commissariat: +253 21 353891
Gendarmerie: +253 21 351003

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
• 1 January: New Year
• May 1: Labor Day
• 27-28 June: Independence Day
Muslim festivals are calculated according to the lunar calendar, so their dates vary from year to year.
• Eid al-Fitr: the end of Ramadan
• Eid al-Adha: Feast of the Sacrifice
• The 1st Muharam: Muslim New Year
• The Mouloud: birth of the prophet
• Al-Isra Wl Miraj: The Prophet's Ascension

CUISINE
Djiboutian cuisine is a clever mixture of Somali, Afar, Yemeni, Ethiopian and French culture. Meat and fish are found in the majority of dishes, accompanied by pasta and rice with spicy sauces.