Brazzaville
A river capital where you can see Kinshasa across the water, with live Congolese rumba in its bars and clubs.
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Brazzaville is the capital of the Republic of the Congo, on the north bank of the Congo River. Kinshasa, capital of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, sits directly across the water, and the two cities face each other over Stanley Pool, a wide stretch of river. The city was founded in 1880 as a French post named after the explorer Pierre Savorgnan de Brazza.
Most visitors come for the river, for live Congolese music in bars and clubs, and to see a working capital rather than a resort. Brazzaville suits a short stay of two or three days, or a stop between trips elsewhere in Central Africa. The drier months, June to August, are the most comfortable time to walk around, since the rainy months are hot, humid and wet. Entry rules, visas and border crossings change, so confirm them before you book.
Brazzaville in five
- Get the visa before you book flightsMost passports need a visa for the Republic of Congo, and it has to be arranged before you travel. Check the requirements with the Congolese embassy or consulate that covers your country.Visas and entry
- Carry CFA francs in cashCard payments are limited outside hotels and larger shops, so bring enough CFA francs for taxis, markets and small meals.Money and costs
- Set up your eSIM before you landCheck that your phone is unlocked and that the eSIM plan covers Congo before you leave home. Download offline maps before you arrive.Phones and eSIM
- Carry your yellow fever certificateCheck whether your route requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and keep the original card in your hand luggage, not the hold.
- Get a DR Congo visa for KinshasaKinshasa is across the Congo River in another country, and it needs its own visa. Arrange that before you plan any day trip across the river.
Things to do in Brazzaville
See all attractions in Brazzaville
Need to know
- Currency
- CFA franc (XAF)
- Entry
- Visa needed for most passports; check the official government travel advice
- Emergency
- Ask your lodging for police and ambulance numbers
- Tipping
- Ask your hotel or guide what is customary
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryShort dry spell
- FebruaryRainy, hot
- MarchRainy, humid
- AprilRains easing
- MayRains ending
- JuneDrier, cooler
- JulyDry, cooler
- AugustDry, cooler
- SeptemberDry, warm
- OctoberRains return
- NovemberRainy, humid
- DecemberShort dry spell
Right now in Brazzaville
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 87%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 63%
Kinshasa
01:36 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today31°24°63%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 63%.
- Wed31°23°37%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 37%.
- Thu31°24°71%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 71%.
- Fri31°24°55%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sat31°24°46%Saturday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Sun31°23°65%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 65%.
Updated 10:37 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
Before you go to Brazzaville
Rules for Brazzaville, checked
- Most nationalities need a visa for the Republic of Congo. Check entry rules with the Congolese embassy and your government's travel advice before you book.
- Ask before you photograph people, especially at markets.
- Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Officials may ask for it on arrival, so check the current requirement before you travel.
- A visa for the Democratic Republic of Congo is separate from a Congo visa. Entering Kinshasa from Brazzaville needs that DR Congo visa.
- Declare cash and goods on the customs form if asked. Check the current limits with Congolese customs before you travel.
Plan around Brazzaville
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Congo trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical daily spending in CFA francs
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, car hire and the airport transfer into the city
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses by area and budget
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data options and offline maps for the trip
Read the guideBrazzaville FAQ
Do I need a visa for Brazzaville?
Most nationalities need one, and it should be arranged before you fly. Check the current requirement with the Congolese embassy or consulate for your country, and confirm it on your government's travel advice page.
Can I visit Kinshasa from Brazzaville?
Yes, but Kinshasa is in the Democratic Republic of Congo, across the Congo River. You need a DR Congo visa, and the crossing is by boat, so check current services before you go.
What currency is used in Brazzaville?
The Central African CFA franc (XAF). Bring enough cash for taxis, markets and small meals, since card payments are limited outside hotels and larger shops.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate?
Carry one, and check whether your route requires it. Keep the original card in your hand luggage so you can show it on arrival.
How do I get from the airport to the city?
By taxi from Maya-Maya airport. Agree the fare before you get in, and ask your lodging to arrange a pickup if you arrive late.
When is the best time to visit Brazzaville?
June to August, when the weather is drier and cooler than the rest of the year. The rainy months are hot, humid and wet for much of the year.