Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
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Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Yellow fever vaccination is required if you’re arriving from a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. Recommended vaccinations include hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, and rabies. Consider routine vaccines like MMR, Tdap, chickenpox, polio, and the annual flu shot. Always consult with a travel health professional for the most accurate advice.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Djibouti, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for DjiboutiCulture & Customs
Dress modestly, particularly women, wearing long skirts and covering shoulders to respect local customs. Public displays of affection are frowned upon. Always use your right hand for eating and passing items, as the left is considered unclean. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory.
LGBTQ+ travelers should exercise discretion, as homosexuality is illegal. Solo female travelers should be cautious and may benefit from joining group tours. Always ask for permission before taking photos of people, especially in rural areas.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Djibouti.
- Skudahkharis: This is Djibouti’s take on a spiced rice dish, similar to a biryani, often made with lamb or chicken. It’s richly flavored with cardamom, cumin, and cinnamon, reflecting the country’s Arabian influences. A hearty meal that’s a staple at gatherings.
- Fah-fah: A traditional goat meat stew that’s simple yet flavorful, often seasoned with green chilies and tomatoes. It’s a go-to comfort food and shows off the pastoral lifestyle of Djibouti.
- Sabayaad: This is a type of flatbread that resembles a cross between Indian paratha and Somali canjeero. It’s a breakfast favorite, often served with honey or stews, highlighting the blend of regional culinary traditions.
- Canjeero: A kind of spongy, sour flatbread that’s similar to Ethiopian injera. It’s often enjoyed with stews or as part of breakfast, underlining the shared culinary heritage with neighboring Ethiopia and Somalia.
- Laxoox: A thin, pancake-like bread that’s subtly sweet and often served at breakfast with tea or coffee. It’s a staple in Djiboutian households and reflects the influence of Yemeni and Somali cuisines.
Tap water in Djibouti is generally not considered safe for tourists, even though some locals may drink it. It’s recommended to stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid potential stomach issues. Make sure the bottled water’s seal is intact before purchasing.
The main language in Djibouti is
Somali. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Somali skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Djibouti includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
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Get the Travel Guide - In Djibouti,
English is not the primary language, but it is widely understood, especially in urban areas and among the younger population. The official languages are French and Arabic, with French being the more commonly used in government, education, and business. English is increasingly taught in schools and is often spoken in tourist areas, hotels, and restaurants.
While you may encounter many locals who can communicate in English, particularly in the capital city, Djibouti City, fluency levels can vary. In more rural areas, English proficiency may be limited, so having basic French phrases can be helpful. Overall, travelers should find that English is sufficiently spoken to navigate most situations, but learning a few words in French or Arabic can enhance the experience and foster better interactions with locals.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Djibouti is DJF (Fr).
If you’re headed to Djibouti on a backpacker’s budget, here’s the lowdown on handling money. First off, ATMs are mostly found in Djibouti City, so plan on grabbing cash before you venture out to rural areas. Most ATMs accept Visa and MasterCard, but it’s wise to carry some cash just in case.
When it comes to cash, both USD and Euros are widely accepted, but USD tends to get you better rates. Keep some local currency, Djiboutian Franc (DJF), for smaller vendors and rural areas where foreign currency might not be welcomed.
Card acceptance is limited outside of major hotels and restaurants in the city, so don’t rely solely on plastic. For exchanging money, stick to banks or official exchange offices to avoid the dodgy street deals. Always double-check rates and fees, and keep some smaller denominations for everyday expenses.
Tipping in Djibouti isn’t mandatory, but it’s appreciated for good service. In restaurants, leaving a tip of about 10% is common practice. For taxi drivers or hotel staff, rounding up or giving a small amount is generally acceptable.
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Best Backpacking
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.