Yaoundé
Yaoundé is Cameroon's capital, a hilly, green city of museums, forest trails and government landmarks, best suited to travelers who want a slower pace than Douala.
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Yaoundé is the capital of Cameroon, in the center of the country. German colonial officials founded it in 1889, and it later became the capital, so ministries, embassies and official buildings shape much of the center. The city sits across a set of hills, and roads climb and drop between neighborhoods, with green slopes and forest close by. Walking means steep streets, so keep walking days short and use taxis between districts.
Most visits are built around a handful of places. The National Museum and the Mvog-Betsi Zoo are common first stops, and Mont Fébé, on the edge of the city, has forest paths and wide views. Local markets and small restaurants serve ndolé, a bitterleaf stew cooked with peanuts. Plan two to three days, and visit from December to February if you plan to walk.
Yaoundé in five
- Get a visa and check the yellow fever rule before you flyMost passports need a visa for Cameroon, so check your nationality before you book flights. Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate, since it may be checked on arrival.
- Carry CFA francs in cashCard payment works in hotels and some larger shops, but many small vendors, taxis and markets take cash only. Keep small notes for fares and tips.
- Book the airport transfer from NsimalenNsimalen International Airport is outside the city, so the drive into Yaoundé takes longer than a city-center arrival suggests. Ask your hotel to arrange a pickup for your flight time.Cameroon
- Get a local SIM with mobile dataMTN and Orange are the main mobile networks, and a local SIM is far cheaper than roaming. Buy it with your passport, and test data before you leave the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Agree the taxi fare before you get inYellow taxis have no meters, so settle the price with the driver before you start. After dark, ask your hotel or host to call a car instead of hailing one on the street.
Things to do in Yaoundé
See all attractions in Yaoundé
Need to know
- Currency
- CFA franc (XAF)
- Entry
- Visa needed for most passports; check your nationality before you book
- Emergency
- 117 police, 118 fire; confirm the ambulance number with your hotel
- Tipping
- Not expected in most places; small tips for porters and drivers are common
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, harmattan haze
- FebruaryDry, dusty air
- MarchDry, warming up
- AprilRains begin
- MayRainy season
- JuneRainy season
- JulyShort drier spell
- AugustShort drier spell
- SeptemberRainy season
- OctoberRainy season
- NovemberRains easing
- DecemberDry, dusty air
Right now in Yaoundé
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 76%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 53%
Yaoundé
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°20°53%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 53%.
- Tue28°21°83%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Wed27°20°96%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Thu28°20°80%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 80%.
- Fri28°21°47%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Sat28°21°62%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 62%.
- Sun27°20°76%Sunday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 76%.
Updated 06:46 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XAF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Before you go to Yaoundé
Rules for Yaoundé, checked
- Check the visa rules for your passport before you book, since entry requirements change. Confirm them with the Cameroonian embassy or consulate that serves you.
- Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate, as it may be checked on arrival. Check current requirements with your travel clinic or embassy before you fly.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form. Check the current limit with Cameroon customs before you travel.
- Ask permission before you photograph government buildings, police posts or military sites. Photos of these can lead to questions or confiscation.
Plan around Yaoundé
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Cameroon trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need a visa and what to carry on arrival
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and what to budget for a day in the city
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, rides and road links from the city to nearby towns
Read the guideWhere to stayNeighborhoods and hotel types for a short city stay
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIM options and offline maps for the city and roads
Read the guideYaoundé FAQ
Is Yaoundé worth visiting?
Yes, if you want to see Cameroon's capital, its government quarters and its markets. It is less polished than many capitals, so it suits travelers who want daily life over headline sights.
How do you get from the airport to Yaoundé?
Nsimalen International Airport is outside the city, so arrange a hotel pickup or a pre-booked car. Taxis from the airport are not metered, so agree the fare before you leave.
Do you need a visa for Cameroon?
Most passports need a visa, so check your nationality before you book. Confirm the current rules with the Cameroonian embassy or consulate that serves you.
Which language is spoken in Yaoundé?
French and English are both official languages, and French is used most in daily life. Learn a few French greetings and numbers, since they help in markets and taxis.
Is Yaoundé safe for visitors?
Use the same care as in any large city: avoid walking alone after dark and use cars arranged by your hotel. Ask locally about which areas to avoid before you go out.
How many days do you need in Yaoundé?
Two or three days cover the center, a market visit and the main government and cultural sites. Add a day if you plan a trip to a nearby town.