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Senegal price guide

Prices in Senegal in 2026: fair price vs tourist trap

Short answer: cheap, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit 21% below the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price.

29 prices checked Apr – Aug 2026 6 verified, 21 estimates, and 2 rough estimates How I check

Fair prices at a glance

All 29 prices are also in the free app for iPhone and Android, and they work offline. Get it

One day in Senegal: F CFA 11,025 or F CFA 49,400

About $19 or $85 a day.

The first number is what locals pay, the second what tourist spots charge for exactly the same day.

Same day, same things: the tourist version costs 4.5× as much.

Restaurant meal alone: F CFA 25,000, or 51% of the tourist-trap day.

+F CFA 38,375 (about $66) for the same day

What's in the day. Middle of each range
Item Fair (F CFA) Trap (F CFA)
Street food meal 1,400 5,500
Restaurant meal 5,500 25,000
Coffee (espresso) 850 3,500
Water 1.5 L 425 2,100
Local beer 1,300 5,000
Public transit ticket 2 rides 550 2,800
Short taxi ride about 1 km 1,000 5,500
Total 11,025 49,400
  • Sightseeing comes on top: a ticket to a top museum or attraction is F CFA 1,500 –⁠ F CFA 5,000 (about $2.60 –⁠ $8.60).
  • Accommodation is left out on purpose: it swings too much with the season and the night of the week for one honest number.

Where tourists overpay most in Senegal

Tourist-trap price compared with the fair price, using the middle of each range.

  1. 1 Private transfer (app) Fair F CFA 600 – F CFA 3,000 Trap F CFA 5,000 – F CFA 20,000 Tourist prices are about 6.9× the fair price
  2. 2 Fridge magnet Fair F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,500 Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 10,000 Tourist prices are about 6.5× the fair price
  3. 3 City taxi 1 km Fair F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,500 Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 8,000 Tourist prices are about 5.5× the fair price

Check a price you were quoted

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about $8.60

Tourist-trap price

Fair F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,500 Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 8,000

F CFA 5,000 is 5.0× the middle of the fair range (F CFA 500 –⁠ F CFA 1,500).

Tourists often get charged F CFA 3,000 –⁠ F CFA 8,000. From F CFA 3,000 you are paying the tourist-trap price.

In the app, every expense you log on a trip gets the same check, offline.

Fair vs tourist prices in Senegal, item by item

What 29 everyday things should cost, and what tourists often pay instead. Typical for Dakar, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor.

Show prices in
  • Fair price
  • Tourist-trap price
  • Verified
  • Estimate

Bars run from zero to each item's top tourist-trap price.

Food & drinks 8 prices, up to 4.5×

Restaurant meal: fair is F CFA 3,000 –⁠ F CFA 8,000. From F CFA 15,000 you are on the tourist menu.

  • Water 0.5 L

    Bottled, convenience store

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.3× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 150 – F CFA 300 ≈ $0.26 – $0.51
    Trap F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,000 ≈ $0.86 – $1.70

  • Coffee (espresso)

    Cafe or street vendor

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 4.1× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 100 – F CFA 1,600 ≈ $0.17 – $2.70
    Trap F CFA 2,000 – F CFA 5,000 ≈ $3.40 – $8.60

  • Local beer

    Draft, at bar or restaurant

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.8× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 800 – F CFA 1,800 ≈ $1.40 – $3.10
    Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 7,000 ≈ $5 – $12

  • Restaurant meal

    Tourist area, main course

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 4.5× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 8,000 ≈ $5 – $14
    Trap F CFA 15,000 – F CFA 35,000 ≈ $26 – $60

  • Street food meal

    Local market or stand

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 3.9× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 300 – F CFA 2,500 ≈ $0.51 – $4.30
    Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 8,000 ≈ $5 – $14

  • Cocktail at bar

    Mixed drink, bar

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.9× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 6,000 ≈ $5 – $10
    Trap F CFA 6,000 – F CFA 11,000 ≈ $10 – $19

  • Bottle of wine (restaurant)

    House wine, restaurant

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.1× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 4,500 – F CFA 6,500 ≈ $8 – $11
    Trap F CFA 8,000 – F CFA 15,000 ≈ $14 – $26

  • Fresh juice

    Cafe or street stall

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.8× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 300 – F CFA 1,500 ≈ $0.51 – $2.60
    Trap F CFA 2,000 – F CFA 3,000 ≈ $3.40 – $5.10
Transport 4 prices, up to 6.9×

Airport taxi to the center: fair is F CFA 15,000 –⁠ F CFA 25,000. At F CFA 30,000 or more, walk away.

  • Airport taxi to center

    Standard route

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.3× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 15,000 – F CFA 25,000 ≈ $26 – $43
    Trap F CFA 30,000 – F CFA 60,000 ≈ $51 – $105

  • City taxi 1 km

    Metered or typical fare

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 5.5× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,500 ≈ $0.86 – $2.60
    Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 8,000 ≈ $5 – $14

  • Public transit ticket

    Single ride

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 5.1× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 150 – F CFA 400 ≈ $0.26 – $0.69
    Trap F CFA 800 – F CFA 2,000 ≈ $1.40 – $3.40

  • Private transfer (app)

    Grab / Bolt / Uber

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 6.9× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 600 – F CFA 3,000 ≈ $1 – $5.10
    Trap F CFA 5,000 – F CFA 20,000 ≈ $9 – $34
Souvenirs 3 prices, up to 6.5×

Fridge magnet: fair is F CFA 500 –⁠ F CFA 1,500. From F CFA 3,000 you are paying the souvenir-stall markup.

  • Fridge magnet

    Tourist shop

    Rough estimate
    Tourist prices are about 6.5× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,500 ≈ $0.86 – $2.60
    Trap F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 10,000 ≈ $5 – $17

  • Printed T-shirt

    Tourist shop

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 4.0× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 2,000 – F CFA 5,000 ≈ $3.40 – $8.60
    Trap F CFA 8,000 – F CFA 20,000 ≈ $14 – $34

  • Local handcraft

    Ceramics, textiles, etc.

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 5.3× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 3,000 – F CFA 12,000 ≈ $5 – $21
    Trap F CFA 20,000 – F CFA 60,000 ≈ $34 – $105
Daily essentials 6 prices, up to 4.9×

Tourist SIM: fair is F CFA 5,000 –⁠ F CFA 10,000. From F CFA 15,000 it is the tourist-kiosk price.

  • Tourist SIM card

    Data package

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.0× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 5,000 – F CFA 10,000 ≈ $9 – $17
    Trap F CFA 15,000 – F CFA 30,000 ≈ $26 – $51

  • Sunscreen SPF50

    Pharmacy or shop

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 1.8× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 6,000 – F CFA 12,000 ≈ $10 – $21
    Trap F CFA 12,000 – F CFA 20,000 ≈ $21 – $34

  • Water 1.5 L

    Supermarket

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 4.9× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 250 – F CFA 600 ≈ $0.43 – $1
    Trap F CFA 1,200 – F CFA 3,000 ≈ $2.10 – $5.10

  • Cigarettes

    Pack of 20

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.5× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 500 – F CFA 1,100 ≈ $0.86 – $1.90
    Trap F CFA 1,500 – F CFA 2,500 ≈ $2.60 – $4.30

  • Painkillers (paracetamol)

    Pack of 20 tablets

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.6× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 700 – F CFA 1,100 ≈ $1.20 – $1.90
    Trap F CFA 1,300 – F CFA 1,600 ≈ $2.20 – $2.70

  • Mosquito repellent

    Spray or lotion

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.6× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 6,000 – F CFA 9,600 ≈ $10 – $16
    Trap F CFA 10,000 – F CFA 15,000 ≈ $17 – $26
Services 4 prices, up to 4.3×

One-hour massage: fair is F CFA 15,000 –⁠ F CFA 20,000. From F CFA 30,000 you are paying for the address.

  • Men's haircut

    Local barbershop

    Rough estimate
    Tourist prices are about 4.3× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 1,000 – F CFA 3,000 ≈ $1.70 – $5.10
    Trap F CFA 5,000 – F CFA 12,000 ≈ $9 – $21

  • Laundry (per kg)

    Laundry service

    Verified ·
    Tourist prices are about 3.5× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 400 – F CFA 900 ≈ $0.69 – $1.50
    Trap F CFA 1,500 – F CFA 3,000 ≈ $2.60 – $5.10

  • Massage (1 hour)

    Standard full-body massage

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.3× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 15,000 – F CFA 20,000 ≈ $26 – $34
    Trap F CFA 30,000 – F CFA 50,000 ≈ $51 – $86

  • Women's haircut

    Basic cut, salon

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.7× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 5,000 – F CFA 10,000 ≈ $9 – $17
    Trap F CFA 15,000 – F CFA 25,000 ≈ $26 – $43
Attractions 4 prices, up to 3.3×

Top museum or attraction: fair is F CFA 1,500 –⁠ F CFA 5,000. Above F CFA 5,000, check that you are not buying through a reseller.

  • Top museum / attraction

    Entrance ticket

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 2.6× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 1,500 – F CFA 5,000 ≈ $2.60 – $8.60
    Trap F CFA 5,000 – F CFA 12,000 ≈ $9 – $21

  • Half-day group tour

    Organized excursion

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 3.3× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 20,000 – F CFA 45,000 ≈ $34 – $77
    Trap F CFA 65,000 – F CFA 150,000 ≈ $110 – $255

  • Full-day group tour

    Organized excursion 6-8h

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.8× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 40,000 – F CFA 65,000 ≈ $69 – $110
    Trap F CFA 80,000 – F CFA 110,000 ≈ $135 – $190

  • Cooking class

    Local cuisine cooking class

    Estimate, reviewed
    Tourist prices are about 1.8× the fair price
    Fair F CFA 20,000 – F CFA 35,000 ≈ $34 – $60
    Trap F CFA 40,000 – F CFA 60,000 ≈ $69 – $105

Converted at 1 USD = 583 XOF, the rate on October 3, 2026. Approximate.

Money and tipping in Senegal

Currency

West African CFA franc (XOF)

  • 1 USD = 583 XOF

Rate as of October 3, 2026

Quick converter, XOF to USD

$17

Approximate. Your card or exchange booth adds its own margin.

When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, choose XOF. The rate it offers is almost always worse.

Tipping in Senegal

Tipping in Senegal is appreciated but informal, leave 500–1,000 CFA (about €0.75–1.50) for good restaurant service; guides and drivers at Lac Rose or Casamance expect around 2,000–3,000 CFA per day.

Bargaining in Senegal

Bargaining is standard at Dakar's Marché Sandaga and craft markets, start at 40–50% of the initial price; sellers are sociable and building rapport before negotiating often leads to better deals.

Fuel prices per liter

  • Gasoline F CFA 990 / liter ≈ $1.70
  • Diesel F CFA 755 / liter ≈ $1.30

Fuel prices as of

Scams and safety in Senegal

What tourists actually run into, from overcharging tricks to local laws. Open any item for the details.

Health Malaria, yellow fever and water safety

Senegal requires yellow-fever vaccine for entry. Malaria is year-round in Casamance, Tambacounda and Saint-Louis regions, peaking July–November. 85% of tourists get traveller's diarrhoea within 5 days. Take atovaquone/proguanil, use DEET 30%+, drink only sealed water (brands: Kirène, Société d'Exploitation d'Eaux Minérales) and budget 2,500 francs CFA per bottle of water at hotels.

Emergency numbers in Senegal

Not sure who you need? Call this one. 17 Police

Senegal has no single universal emergency number. Dial 17 for police, 1515 for ambulance (SAMU National), 18 for fire. Calls are free and answered 24/7.

Medical costs

  • Doctor visit Private clinic, general consultation without insurance $16 –⁠ $40 ≈ F CFA 9,330 –⁠ F CFA 23,300
  • Hospital night One night in a general ward without insurance $50 –⁠ $100 ≈ F CFA 29,100 –⁠ F CFA 58,300
  • Ambulance Emergency transport to hospital $20 –⁠ $80 ≈ F CFA 11,700 –⁠ F CFA 46,600
  • Dentist Check-up or basic treatment at a private practice $11 –⁠ $100 ≈ F CFA 6,410 –⁠ F CFA 58,300

Typical private prices a tourist pays without insurance.

Good to know before you go

Gestures and etiquette 1 note

Tea ritual & group greetings

Never refuse the attaya tea ceremony, it's a deeply important social ritual in Senegal, and declining is considered very rude. Always use your right hand for eating and greetings, as the left hand is considered unclean. When entering a room, greet everyone individually, skipping someone is seen as a serious sign of disrespect.

Buying souvenirs 1 note

Wax prints & glass paintings

Wax print fabrics (thioup) in vibrant patterns are Senegal's most colorful souvenir, buy at Sandaga or HLM markets in Dakar. Souwer (sous-verre) glass paintings depicting scenes of daily life are a unique Senegalese art form. Hand-carved wooden masks, djembe drums, and woven baskets are traditional crafts. Café Touba (coffee spiced with selim pepper), baobab fruit powder, and handmade jewelry round out the options.

Driving and tolls 1 note

Getting around Senegal by shared taxis

The main method of travel is by sept place shared taxis. Prices are fixed for popular routes such as Dakar to Ziguinchor at 9500 CFA per seat. Negotiate luggage fees separately at 500 to 1000 CFA per piece.

Did you know? 3 notes

  • Senegal is known as the "Land of Teranga" (hospitality). Guests are treated with extraordinary generosity and warmth.
  • Lac Rose (Pink Lake) near Dakar gets its striking pink color from a type of algae. It was the traditional finish point of the Paris-Dakar Rally.
  • Thieboudienne (rice with fish) is Senegal's national dish and was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2021.

Cities these prices cover 3 cities

The prices on this page are typical for these cities and the tourist areas around them.

  • Dakar
  • Saint-Louis Ndar
  • Ziguinchor

How Senegal compares

The TruePrice Index for Senegal, next to the countries people weigh it against and its nearest neighbors, all on one scale. 100 is the median of the 60 countries I track.

  1. Ethiopia 33 Prices about 58% lower than in Senegal
  2. Egypt 50 Prices about 37% lower than in Senegal
  3. Tunisia 56 Prices about 29% lower than in Senegal
  4. Senegal 79 This page
  5. Morocco 101 Prices about 28% higher than in Senegal
  6. Turkey 112 Prices about 42% higher than in Senegal
  7. Jordan 116 Prices about 47% higher than in Senegal

Bars show each country's TruePrice Index. The dotted line marks Senegal.

See all 60 countries in the TruePrice Index Browse every country guide

Common questions about prices in Senegal

Is Senegal expensive to visit?

Short answer: cheap, if you pay what locals pay. Fair prices sit 21% below the 60-country median, while tourist prices are about 3.1× the fair price. On the TruePrice Index, Senegal scores 79, the 17th cheapest of the 60 countries I track.

How much does a day in Senegal cost, without flights and hotel?

Roughly F CFA 11,025 (about $19) a day at fair prices, or F CFA 49,400 (about $85) at tourist prices. That covers two meals, a coffee, a bottle of water, a beer, two transit rides and a short taxi ride. Sightseeing comes on top (F CFA 1,500 –⁠ F CFA 5,000 for a top museum or attraction), and accommodation is not included.

Do you tip in Senegal, and how much?

Tipping in Senegal is appreciated but informal, leave 500–1,000 CFA (about €0.75–1.50) for good restaurant service; guides and drivers at Lac Rose or Casamance expect around 2,000–3,000 CFA per day.

What currency does Senegal use?

The West African CFA franc (XOF). On October 3, 2026, 1 USD was worth 583 XOF. Card terminals and ATMs that offer to charge you in your home currency usually give a worse rate, so pay in XOF.

How much is a meal and a beer in Senegal?

A restaurant main course is F CFA 3,000 –⁠ F CFA 8,000 (about $5 –⁠ $14) at fair prices, while tourist menus charge F CFA 15,000 –⁠ F CFA 35,000. A street food meal runs F CFA 300 –⁠ F CFA 2,500. A local beer is F CFA 800 –⁠ F CFA 1,800 (about $1.40 –⁠ $3.10), or F CFA 3,000 –⁠ F CFA 7,000 in tourist bars.

How much money should I bring to Senegal?

Budget roughly F CFA 11,025 (about $19) a day for food, drinks and getting around at local prices, or about F CFA 49,400 (about $85) at tourist prices. Add F CFA 1,500 –⁠ F CFA 5,000 for each major sight, plus your accommodation.

What is the emergency number in Senegal?

If you are not sure who you need, call 17, the police line. Direct lines: ambulance 1515, fire brigade 18.

Sources and method

Where these numbers come from, and how sure I am about each one.

Prices
29 items: 6 verified, 21 estimates, and 2 rough estimates
Checked
to
Exchange rate
1 USD = 583 XOF,
Fuel prices
Cities
Dakar, Saint-Louis, and Ziguinchor
Page updated

What the labels mean

Verified
Checked against recent local sources.
Estimate
Based on related prices and not yet confirmed.
Rough estimate
Thin data. Treat it as a ballpark.
Fair price
What locals typically pay.
Tourist-trap price
What tourists are commonly charged in tourist areas.
Markup
The middle of the tourist-trap range divided by the middle of the fair range. 3.0× means three times the fair price.
TruePrice Index
Fair prices for all 29 items compared with the median of the 60 countries I track. 100 is the median, 50 means half the median price and 200 twice it.

How to cite

TruePrice Index, October 2026, truepriceapp.com/en/trueprice-index/

Spotted a price that looks off? Email me at contact@truepriceapp.com and I will check it.

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