Douala

What you need to know about Douala

By Expat Guru Last Updated:

About Douala

I lived for 2.5 months in Kumbo, hours outside of Doula, in summer (their winter) 2009, doing feminist humanitarian aid work. If I could go back in time, I never would have gone as I developed chronic fatigue syndrome for 4.5 years starting during this trip, due to overvaccinating (several tropical diseases injected into me in a short time), the Malarone effects, poor diet, stress, etc. I stopped by Doula for a one night stay both when I arrived and when I left. Do not give men at the airport money. Don't let anyone handle your suitcases. Guys came out wearing (fake) uniforms, then repeatedly demanded money from me. I eventually told them in French to "leave me alone," which worked, but the cab drivers took my luggage even though I told them I was waiting for the hotel to pick me up (hotels should do this, I used Ibis and it was very clean and comfortable, with hot water). The woman working at Ibis told me not to go outside at all, even during the day. (I was traveling alone.) An activist I met in Kumbo said they knew someone who was robbed at knife point at 11 a.m. in Doula. I had black stuff coming out of my nose after the bus ride through town from the pollution being so bad. The airport demanded more money when I returned, and I honestly couldn't tell if it was legit, the guy kept insisting and they even had a booth. Living in Kumbo, I was one of only about 10 white people I saw the entire time I was in Cameroon. It took three days to travel between there and Doula. I felt much more comfortable in the small town, but was often lectured by older men about not greeting properly (once said "hey" to my friend and he berated me for being so casual until I started crying). I had stomach spasms from eating and developed a rash from the dirty water (though there are clean water sources, I just chose to use the shower instead of a bucket). I spoke French in Doula and English in the Northwest region, I'm not sure if many people speak English in Doula or not. I met people who'd gotten malaria while staying in Cameroon, and people waited to take malaria pills till after they got sick, since it's the same pill (which is what I'd do in hindsight). Overall, it was the most culture shock I've ever had and a very challenging experience. As far as I know, people only traveled there to help social causes like I was (the Peacecorps has a presence), not for tourism. I'm not sure how it is now, but in 2009, I had to go to a (pretty slow) internet cafe, didn't have internet at home (though I believe they had it in the Doula Ibis hotel), and there were days-long electricity outages. So I don't know that it would make sense for a digital nomad long term.

Nomad Guide of Douala

Explore Douala like a local with our comprehensive nomad guide. Find the best places to work, live, and play, all tailored to the digital nomad lifestyle. Stay connected and make the most of your time in Douala with our insider tips and recommendations.

Continent :

Africa

Country :

cameroon

Weather :

29°C + Humidity 96% = 38°C Feel

Internet Speed :

1 Mbps

Insurance :

Safetywing

Air Quality :

184AQI

Best Neighborhood :

Upcoming Neighborhood :

Power :

230V50Hz

Average Trip Length :

Days

Best Taxi App :

N/A

1000 XAF to USD :

$1.5 USD

Tap Water Quality :

No, not drinkable

Visitor per year :

N/A Visitors

Tourist now :

N/A tourists

Population :

1907479 people

GDP per capita :

$1374 / year

Population Density :

Gender Ratio (Expats) :

H 50% / F 50%

Religious Gouvernment :

Non-religious

Appartement Listing :

Lamudi

Online electronics shop :


Weather in Douala

Stay updated on the weather in Douala with our reliable data source. Plan ahead for changing conditions and make the most of your time in the city. Check the forecast and stay prepared for any weather events.


Cost of Living in Douala

Discover the cost of living in Douala with our data source. Compare expenses for housing, food, transportation, and more to make informed decisions about your budget. Stay informed and make the most of your money in Douala.

Cost of Living for Expats :

$1,108/mo

Cost of Living for Nomads :

$1,509/mo

Cost of Living for Families :

$2,493/mo

Cost of Living for Local :

$712/mo

Cost of coffee :

$0.75

Rent for 1 bedroom :

$677/mo

Dinner:

$2.62

Beer :

$1.46

Coca Cola :

$1.09

Tax for 50k income :

$

Tax for 100k income :

$

Tax for 250k income :

$


Pros and Cons Living in Douala

Like many other cities Douala have a lot of advantages to offer its residents and visitors, but it also has its fair share of drawbacks. We have made this pros and cons table to help you better vizualize them.

Pros

  • ✅ Affordable to live
  • ✅ Pretty safe
  • ✅ Lots of fun stuff to do
  • ✅ Warm now
  • ✅ Warm all year round
  • ✅ Good air quality usually
  • ✅ Spacious and not crowded
  • ✅ Not many people smoke tobacco

Cons

  • ❌ Freedom of speech is weak
  • ❌ No democracy
  • ❌ Unusably slow internet
  • ❌ Very sweaty and humid now
  • ❌ Bad air quality today
  • ❌ Difficult to do business
  • ❌ Quality of education is low
  • ❌ Hospitals are bad
  • ❌ Roads can be dangerous
  • ❌ People don't speak English well
  • ❌ Not safe for women
  • ❌ Not family friendly
  • ❌ Hostile towards LGBTQ+

Quality of Life in Douala

No Data for now.


Visa Requirements in Douala

No Data for now.


Security and Crime in Douala

Stay informed on security and crime in Douala with updated information on crime rates, types of crimes and measures being taken. Ensure personal safety by staying informed and taking steps to protect yourself and loved ones. Help keep Douala safe.

020406080100

Normal Crime rate

020406080100

Medium Security Index


Polution and Air Quality in Douala

Stay informed about the air quality and pollution levels in Douala. Our data source provides up-to-date information on various pollutants and their effects on health and the environment. By monitoring the air quality in Douala, you can take steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the harmful effects of pollution.

Similar cities to Douala

Discover cities that are similar to Douala in terms of attractions and amenities. Our hand-picked list includes locations with similar cultural settings, recreational activities, and high-quality lodgings. These cities are worth visiting if you're looking for a place with a similar atmosphere or just a change of scenery. Plan your next urban journey by visiting these similar cities.

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#6

Air Quality
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wifi

36

Mbps

FEELS 21°

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$3,637/mo

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#5

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Kuala Lumpur

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#34

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FEELS 39°

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$1,601/mo

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Johannesburg

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#130

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

6

Mbps

FEELS 22°

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$2,628/mo

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The Paradise Of Cusco

Cusco

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#179

Air Quality
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wifi

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FEELS 13°

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$1,778/mo

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Nairobi

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#41

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wifi

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Mbps

FEELS 25°

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Santiago

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#147

Air Quality
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wifi

7

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FEELS 24°

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Antigua

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#107

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

3

Mbps

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Cities near Douala to visit

There are several cities and places close to Douala worth your visit. In addition to sightseeing in Douala, spare some time to discover the surroundings of the city.
You can discover Lagos, Lagos, Ibadan, Kaduna, and Benin City, who are a few kilometres away either by car or public transport.

Trending

Person Standing Near Body Of Water During Golden Hour

Lagos

Portugal

#11

Air Quality
Good
wifi

33

Mbps

FEELS 23°

23°

$2,026/mo

Trending

Top View of Houses and Building Roofs

Lagos

Nigeria

#175

Air Quality
Unhealthy
wifi

3

Mbps

FEELS 35°

29°

$1,899/mo

Trending

Photo Of Man Bringing Radio

Ibadan

Nigeria

#384

Air Quality
Unhealthy
wifi

3

Mbps

FEELS 41°

30°

$1,498/mo

Trending

Photo Of Man Bringing Radio

Kaduna

Nigeria

#463

Air Quality
Unhealthy
wifi

3

Mbps

FEELS 34°

30°

$1,640/mo

Trending

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Benin City

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#504

Air Quality
Unhealthy
wifi

3

Mbps

FEELS 41°

30°

$1,791/mo

Trending

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Port Harcourt

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#557

Air Quality
Unhealthy
wifi

3

Mbps

FEELS 35°

28°

$1,586/mo

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Lome

Togo

#722

Air Quality
Moderate
wifi

1

Mbps

FEELS 34°

29°

$1,021/mo

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Abuja

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#761

Air Quality
Unhealthy
wifi

4

Mbps

FEELS 39°

30°

$2,257/mo

Reviews of Douala - Feedback from travelers

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Discussion (1)

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I lived for 2.5 months in Kumbo, hours outside of Doula, in summer (their winter) 2009, doing feminist humanitarian aid work. If I could go back in time, I never would have gone as I developed chronic fatigue syndrome for 4.5 years starting during this trip, due to overvaccinating (several tropical diseases injected into me in a short time), the Malarone effects, poor diet, stress, etc. I stopped by Doula for a one night stay both when I arrived and when I left. Do not give men at the airport money. Don't let anyone handle your suitcases. Guys came out wearing (fake) uniforms, then repeatedly demanded money from me. I eventually told them in French to "leave me alone," which worked, but the cab drivers took my luggage even though I told them I was waiting for the hotel to pick me up (hotels should do this, I used Ibis and it was very clean and comfortable, with hot water). The woman working at Ibis told me not to go outside at all, even during the day. (I was traveling alone.) An activist I met in Kumbo said they knew someone who was robbed at knife point at 11 a.m. in Doula. I had black stuff coming out of my nose after the bus ride through town from the pollution being so bad. The airport demanded more money when I returned, and I honestly couldn't tell if it was legit, the guy kept insisting and they even had a booth. Living in Kumbo, I was one of only about 10 white people I saw the entire time I was in Cameroon. It took three days to travel between there and Doula. I felt much more comfortable in the small town, but was often lectured by older men about not greeting properly (once said "hey" to my friend and he berated me for being so casual until I started crying). I had stomach spasms from eating and developed a rash from the dirty water (though there are clean water sources, I just chose to use the shower instead of a bucket). I spoke French in Doula and English in the Northwest region, I'm not sure if many people speak English in Doula or not. I met people who'd gotten malaria while staying in Cameroon, and people waited to take malaria pills till after they got sick, since it's the same pill (which is what I'd do in hindsight). Overall, it was the most culture shock I've ever had and a very challenging experience. As far as I know, people only traveled there to help social causes like I was (the Peacecorps has a presence), not for tourism. I'm not sure how it is now, but in 2009, I had to go to a (pretty slow) internet cafe, didn't have internet at home (though I believe they had it in the Doula Ibis hotel), and there were days-long electricity outages. So I don't know that it would make sense for a digital nomad long term.