Yaoundé is Cameroon's capital, a city of government offices, embassies and monuments set among hills at around 750 metres above sea level. Its economy revolves around the civil service and diplomatic services, and it has a reputation for a higher standard of living and security than much of the rest of the country. Weekday traffic can be heavy, but weekends are noticeably quieter.
For a visitor, the useful geography is fairly compact. The city centre holds government offices, some hotels and the central market. Bastos is the diplomatic and expatriate quarter, Etoudi is where the presidential palace and compound are, and the bus companies that connect Yaoundé with the rest of the country operate out of the Nsam and Mvan districts. This guide covers which of these areas to base yourself in, what each is like, and what to expect at different price levels.
Best areas to stay in Yaoundé
1. City centre (Quartier Elig Essono and the Quartier des ministères)
The city centre is where government offices, some hotels and the central market are found, and it is the most practical base for a first visit. You will find the widest spread of accommodation here, from simple downtown places to the most upscale options in the city. It suits first-time visitors and anyone whose business is with the administration or the diplomatic services.
It is also the most connected part of town: several hotels sit near the railway station, and the central market is within the same area. Expect weekday traffic to be heavy, so plan your movements around it.
2. Bastos
Bastos is the district where foreign embassies and the expatriate European, American and other continental communities are based, drawn mainly from the diplomatic corps. Most homes there are owned by Cameroonians, and there are many hotels in the mid-range bracket. It suits visitors who want a quieter, more residential base within reach of the centre.
Mont Fébé rises behind Bastos, so parts of the area sit on higher ground. If you are staying in Bastos, you are close to the embassy quarter and a short trip from the city centre.
3. Nsam and Mvan
These districts are where many bus companies operate from, which makes them the logical base if you are arriving or leaving by long-distance bus. You will find budget accommodation here, including places near the Nsam bus station. It suits budget travellers and anyone breaking a journey rather than sightseeing.
The trade-off is distance from the central sights and the embassy quarter, so you will rely on taxis or buses to reach them.
4. Biyem-Assi
Biyem-Assi is a residential district away from the centre, with a mix of budget and guesthouse-style accommodation. It suits travellers who are staying several nights and want to negotiate a rate, or who prefer a local neighbourhood over the administrative core.
It is not within walking distance of the main sights, so factor in taxi journeys. Some properties sit on high ground with views over the city.
5. Tsinga
Tsinga is home to the Congress Centre, one of the city's notable buildings. It suits visitors attending events there, or those who want to be near that part of town rather than in the administrative centre.
As with other districts outside the core, you will depend on taxis to reach the central market, the museums and the embassy quarter.
6. Mvog-Betsi
Mvog-Betsi is known for its small zoo and botanic park, and there is accommodation in the neighbourhood above Carrefour Mvog Mbi. It suits families and visitors who want the zoo and park close at hand.
It sits away from the city centre, so plan on taxis for everything else.
7. Etoudi
Etoudi is where the presidential palace and compound are located. It is a government district rather than a tourist quarter, and it suits visitors whose business takes them there.
Because it is an official area rather than a commercial one, you will find fewer places to stay and eat than in the centre or Bastos.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: Private rooms, dorms and guesthouses, sometimes with camping space in a garden and shared bathrooms. Expect barebones facilities; warm water is not available everywhere, and internet speeds are far below what you might expect. Rates can almost always be negotiated, especially for several nights, and credit cards are often not accepted.
- Mid-range: Simple hotels with a television, air conditioning and warm water, and often a restaurant on site. Wi-Fi may be advertised but not always functional. This is the bracket where you find the many hotels in Bastos.
- Splurge: The most luxurious options, at least by Cameroonian standards, concentrated in the city centre. These are the places where laundry is available as an official service and where a wider range of cards may be accepted.
At lower-range places, you can ask employees to wash your clothes for a small sum. Clothes dried on an outdoor line need ironing afterwards to kill sand flies they may have caught.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in the city centre, around Quartier Elig Essono and the Quartier des ministères. It puts you among the government offices, the central market and the widest choice of accommodation, with the railway station nearby and the embassy quarter of Bastos a short trip away. For a first visit, that combination of transport links and choice is hard to beat.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Yaoundé?
The city has a lengthy wet season running from March to November, with a noticeable lull in July. Temperatures stay fairly even through the year, and the altitude keeps them from being as hot as you might expect near the equator.
How do I get around Yaoundé?
Traffic in the city can be heavy on weekdays but is very light at weekends. Taxis are the usual way to cover the distance between districts such as Biyem-Assi or Mvog-Betsi and the centre. Long-distance buses leave from the Nsam and Mvan districts, and the train runs west to Douala and north to N'Gaoundéré.
Can I pay by card at hotels in Yaoundé?
Credit cards are not universally accepted, especially at cheaper places to stay. Those that do take cards usually accept only Visa.
Should I book ahead or negotiate on arrival?
Hotel rates can almost always be negotiated, particularly if you are staying several nights. That said, it is worth comparing live prices before you commit.
Compare live prices for your dates with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.