How many towns to visit: Two or three is the right number for most backpackers. Distances are long, public transport is thin, and midday heat from May to September pushes real activity into early morning and late afternoon. Fewer stops leave you time to sit through a slow tea in a shaded café and see how a town actually runs, which is the point of coming here.
Choosing between kinds of towns: The port capital suits you if you want cheap-ish street food, a working harbor, French-influenced bakeries and the easiest onward connections. Expect grid streets, loud traffic and dust, and in return you get the best choice of beds and restaurants. The quieter Gulf of Tadjoura coast suits slow travelers: low whitewashed buildings, fishing boats and sea breeze after sunset, with a coffee or grilled fish …
read more 👉 How many towns to visit: Two or three is the right number for most backpackers. Distances are long, public transport is thin, and midday heat from May to September pushes real activity into early morning and late afternoon. Fewer stops leave you time to sit through a slow tea in a shaded café and see how a town actually runs, which is the point of coming here.
Choosing between kinds of towns: The port capital suits you if you want cheap-ish street food, a working harbor, French-influenced bakeries and the easiest onward connections. Expect grid streets, loud traffic and dust, and in return you get the best choice of beds and restaurants. The quieter Gulf of Tadjoura coast suits slow travelers: low whitewashed buildings, fishing boats and sea breeze after sunset, with a coffee or grilled fish for company. The inland desert towns suit those who like arid landscapes and local markets, but they are best seen with a hired vehicle or a shared 4x4, and you get wide horizons and very little company.
What it costs: Djibouti is one of the pricier countries in East Africa. Budget US$50 to 90 a day (roughly 9,000 to 16,000 DJF) including a basic guesthouse at US$25 to 50, meals at US$5 to 12 and local minibuses at US$1 to 10 a ride. Gulf ferries cost roughly US$5 to 12. Entry fees to sites are modest, but a guide or shared 4x4 for inland towns runs US$100 to 200 a day, so split it with others and you get the remote stretches without the full bill.
Safety and cultural notes: Djibouti is a Muslim country, so cover shoulders and knees, and ask before photographing people. Do not photograph ports, military sites or border posts, which can lead to detention. Many shops and offices close from around midday into the afternoon, when qat is chewed, so plan errands for the morning and you will move through towns without closed doors. Carry water, a hat and cash in Djiboutian francs, since cards work in few places outside the capital. Stay clear of the Eritrean border zone and follow current government travel advice before heading to far northern areas.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.