How many attractions to visit: Plan on
one major attraction per two days, which means four to six over a two-week trip. That number comes from transport reality. Roads are slow, power and cash problems eat time, and many sites need a guide arranged or a local contact met. Cram in ten and you will mostly see windshields.
Prioritizing by travel style: First-timers should choose
cultural and heritage experiences in the south: palaces, shrines, markets, museums and music venues. They are easiest to reach, most social, and best explained by a local host. Nature-focused travelers should pick forest, wildlife and waterfall areas, accepting rougher access and more driver costs. Festival chasers should build the whole trip around dates, because a mid-December event can be worth more than three quiet …
read more 👉 How many attractions to visit: Plan on one major attraction per two days, which means four to six over a two-week trip. That number comes from transport reality. Roads are slow, power and cash problems eat time, and many sites need a guide arranged or a local contact met. Cram in ten and you will mostly see windshields.
Prioritizing by travel style: First-timers should choose cultural and heritage experiences in the south: palaces, shrines, markets, museums and music venues. They are easiest to reach, most social, and best explained by a local host. Nature-focused travelers should pick forest, wildlife and waterfall areas, accepting rougher access and more driver costs. Festival chasers should build the whole trip around dates, because a mid-December event can be worth more than three quiet sites. I would skip anything sold as a pristine “resort” experience on the Lagos coast unless you want a beach day, since prices are high and the setting is generic.
Budget per day and per visit: A budget backpacker can manage roughly US$30 to 55 a day (about ₦45,000 to 85,000 at recent exchange rates, which move often) covering a basic guesthouse at US$12 to 25, local meals at US$4 to 10, and shared transport. A comfortable range is US$70 to 120. Entry fees are often small, about ₦1,000 to 5,000 (US$1 to 4) for museums, palaces or parks, though foreigner rates can be higher. Guides usually run US$10 to 30 a day, and a hired car with driver for day trips US$50 to 100 including fuel. Motorbike taxis and ride-hailing within cities cost US$1 to 8 per trip.
Costs and delays that catch travelers out: Cash shortages are common, so carry enough naira for several days and withdraw in larger cities. Foreign cards fail often. Informal “donations,” camera fees and “registration” charges can appear at sites. Ask the price before entering, agree it with your guide, and keep small notes. Another trap is fuel and traffic: a fixed taxi fare can double after fuel price jumps, so settle fares in advance. Delays hit flights and buses, so avoid same-day tight connections. Mobile data is cheap, and a local SIM saves headaches with ride-hailing and messaging.
Safety and cultural considerations: Check current government travel advisories before choosing any state. Large areas of the northeast and northwest, and parts of the southeast, Niger Delta and middle belt, face kidnapping, armed attack or unrest, so keep to well-advised regions and avoid road travel after dark. Use a trusted local guide or host, and share your plans with someone. Keep valuables hidden in crowded markets and on public transport.
Cultural etiquette matters at sites. Dress modestly, especially in the north and at religious places. Ask before photographing people, shrines, ceremonies or officials, and expect to be refused, or to pay. Greet elders first, use the right hand for giving and receiving, and remove shoes where asked. Same-sex relationships are criminalized, so discretion is smart. During Ramadan in northern areas, avoid eating or drinking openly in daylight.
Official permits and police or military checkpoints are normal. Keep passport copies, stay polite, and never offer bribes. Carry a yellow fever certificate, since it is required for entry, and take malaria prophylaxis.
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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.