Reality Brief: Djibouti
What to know about Djibouti, gathered from AfriPilot's sourced information: alerts, rules, addresses and useful places. Nothing is added without a source.
Region: Djibouti RegionGathered from 9 sources checked on October 2, 2026.
Current alerts
No official alerts recorded for this region.
Alerts checked on October 2, 2026 against the sources cited.
Essentials before you arrive
A visa is required: online (e-visa, evisa.gouv.dj) for transit and short stays, from an embassy, or on arrival for one month, paid in cash in dollars, at the discretion of the airline and immigration. Carry proof of onward or return travel.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence
Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival (after departure according to Canada).
GOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: DjiboutiGuide: Entry and residence
Police 17, fire 18; ambulance +253 21 35 09 62 or +253 21 35 27 12.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: DjiboutiGuide: Health
You can travel freely in the country, but land and sea borders should be avoided: the Eritrean border is strongly advised against (also by the UK), as are the road to Loyada beyond the Decan refuge and the Seven Brothers archipelago outside approved excursions. Somaliland is strongly advised against.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safetyGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: warnings and insuranceGuide: Safety and emergencies
The currency is the Djiboutian franc (DJF). The economy is mainly cash-based: cards are not widely accepted.
Government of Canada, Travel advice: DjiboutiGuide: Money and banking
Dress modestly and be discreet in public; during Ramadan, do not eat in public in the daytime. Public drunkenness is an offence; drugs carry 1 to 20 years in prison. Do not photograph military sites, official buildings or anyone without consent; avoid bringing a drone.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful informationGuide: Daily life and local laws
Friday is the day of rest; the weekend covers Friday and Saturday.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, entry and residenceGuide: Daily life and local laws
Living in Djibouti
No attack in Djibouti City since 2014, but stay alert in places used by expatriates, the historic centre and near military and port sites.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies
Dress modestly and be discreet in public; during Ramadan, do not eat in public in the daytime. Public drunkenness is an offence; drugs carry 1 to 20 years in prison. Do not photograph military sites, official buildings or anyone without consent; avoid bringing a drone.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful informationGuide: Daily life and local laws
Mobile network and internet are unreliable and expensive; some social networks are blocked.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful informationGuide: Daily life and local laws
The currency is the Djiboutian franc (DJF). The economy is mainly cash-based: cards are not widely accepted.
Government of Canada, Travel advice: DjiboutiGuide: Money and banking
Field experience
- Tip
Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (12), clinics (5), hospitals (14). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.
- Tip
Where to shop for food
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (5), supermarkets (11). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.
- Tip
Banks, cash machines and exchange
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (21), cash machines (3), currency exchange (2), money transfer (1). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.
- Tip
A shop for your SIM card
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (6). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.
- Tip
A furnished flat for the first weeks
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (4). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.
- Tip
Consulates in the city
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (2). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Police 17, fire 18.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026
Ambulance
Ambulance, Djibouti.
GOV.UK (FCDO), Djibouti travel advice: getting help· Oct 2, 2026
Central police station
Police, Djibouti.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
National gendarmerie
Gendarmerie, Djibouti.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Embassy of France in Djibouti
Passport: FranceFrench embassy, also covering Eritrea.
Boulevard Idriss Omar Guelleh, BP 2039, Djibouti+33 3 59 39 70 03France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Consular section of the Embassy of France
Passport: FranceConsular services.
Boulevard du Maréchal Lyautey, BP 75, Djibouti+33 3 59 39 70 03France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Djibouti, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026