Your stay — Leybato
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The Property — Leybato
Leybato is a straightforward 3-star guesthouse on the Atlantic coast, a five-minute walk from Bakau's main beach. Its small lobby feels more like a shared living room, with tiled floors and ceiling fans turning slowly – the kind of place where the receptionist knows your name by the second day. The USP is its position on the quieter, greener end of the strip, away from the all-inclusive resorts, and a short stroll to the fishing beach and Kachikally Crocodile Pool. It suits independent travellers, budget-conscious families and birders who want a no-frills base, not a resort bubble.
Chronicles of Bakau
Bakau grew as a fishing village long before the colonial era, later becoming a residential suburb for Bathurst (now Banjul) and trading-post merchants. Its architecture is a jumble of whitewashed bungalows, concrete shopfronts and small mosques, reflecting the mix of Mandinka, Wolof and Aku communities. The town's identity today is civic and coastal: it hosts the National Museum, the President's office at State House, and the famous Kachikally Crocodile Pool, a sacred site used for fertility rituals since at least the 18th century. Contemporary Bakau is the cultural heartbeat of the Gambia's tourism sector, with craft markets, live music at the beachfront bars, and a relaxed rhythm that balances local life with European winter visitors.
Best Time to Visit
Full Bakau guide →Best months
November to February: dry, cloudless days with temperatures 25–30°C, low humidity, and the main tourist season means all restaurants and boat trips are running. April and May also work well with fewer crowds but hotter afternoons.
Peak / festival surge
December to February: peak season driven by European winter sun-seekers. Hotel prices roughly double. The big event is the January Roots Homecoming Festival, which brings diaspora visitors and fills accommodation across the Coast Region.
Budget shoulder season
June and October: the early and late rainy-season months. June sees greenery and lower hotel rates, October has the highest chance of short afternoon showers but fewer people and easier bargaining on room prices.
Weather & packing
July is the height of the rainy season – expect short, heavy downpours and high humidity (around 85%), but also plenty of bright, hot sunshine in between. Pack a light waterproof jacket or breathable poncho for sudden storms, plus mosquito repellent with DEET, as malaria risk is real and consistent.
Live City Briefing — Bakau
- The Banjul–Serekunda highway widening project, ongoing since 2024, continues to cause delays near the Denton Bridge junction; allow extra 20 minutes for airport transfers.
- A new craft market has opened at Cape Point, direct competitor to the Senegambia strip's stalls, offering better prices on batik fabrics and wooden carvings.
- Gambia's rainy season (July–September) is in full swing – check for any local flooding on the Bakau–Banjul road before heading out, and avoid the beach after dark due to occasional rip-tide warnings.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Leybato, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors, preferably facing the courtyard or rear of the property, away from the street. These rooms are typically quieter and may offer better airflow.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area, as they suffer from lobby noise and foot traffic. Also avoid rooms facing the main road due to traffic noise – Bakau’s streets can be busy, especially in the morning and evening.
Best views
Upper-floor rooms at the back or side of the hotel may offer views over nearby rooftops or greenery, rather than the street. If available, a room facing the pool or garden (if present) will be the best option.
Quietest floors
Floors 3 and above are generally quieter, as they are further from street-level noise and common areas. This is a 3-star hotel, so soundproofing may be basic.
🔊 Noise notes
Bakau is a coastal town with moderate traffic. Street noise from motorcycles and cars can be noticeable, especially during rush hours. There may also be noise from nearby markets or early morning prayer calls from local mosques.
Insider tips
1. Request a room at check-in, as the front desk may be able to assign a quieter spot if you arrive early. 2. Bring earplugs or a white noise app, as 3-star hotels in this area often have thin walls and basic insulation.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Leybato
Free Wi-Fi throughout; moderate speed (about 10 Mbps download); no login required, just select network and accept terms.
No lift; all rooms are on ground and first floors via stairs.
No digital newsstand; a few physical Gambian daily newspapers in the lounge; no notable heritage building quirks.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed if room not ready. Late check-out until 16:00 for 1,500 GMD (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage at reception; locked room available on request.
No wheelchair ramp at main entrance; a step at the door and narrow corridors inside. Ground floor rooms available but not fully step-free.
Free on-site parking for about 8 cars (first come, first served); nearest public car park is 200 m south along the coast road (free, street parking). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit required at booking; a refundable cash deposit of 5,000 GMD or card hold taken at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: St Paul's Church (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: The Holy Family Church (1.8 km · ~23 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Africell Park — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Gambian Dalasi, GMD
Change money at local forex bureaux in Bakau or Serekunda for better rates; avoid the airport and tourist hotels where rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in upmarket hotels and some larger shops, but most local restaurants, markets, and taxis require cash; contactless is rare.
Round up taxi fares or leave 10% at restaurants if service isn't included; small tips for hotel staff (50–100 dalasi) are appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small cup of local coffee from a street vendor or basic café costs around 20–40 GMD.
A filling bowl of benachin or yassa from a local 'cook-shop' runs 80–150 GMD.
A main like grilled fish with rice at a simple eatery is 150–250 GMD.
Along Bakau's main drag and near the fish market, find stalls selling fried fish, tapalapa bread, and fresh fruit.
Commonly used are Game or the smaller local minimarkets along Kairaba Avenue.
Bakau Craft Market and Serekunda Market offer affordable second-hand or locally made clothing; haggle.
Shared yellow bush taxis (15–30 GMD per trip within Bakau); from the airport take a shared taxi to Serekunda or Bakau for about 150–200 GMD per person.
Eat at local cook-shops instead of tourist hotels; drink tap water only after boiling/bottled water; use shared taxis over private ones.
Emergency Contacts
BakauFor non-emergency police assistance, you can call +220 422 1101 or visit the Banjul Police Station. For medical emergencies, the Royal Victoria Teaching Hospital in Banjul has a 24-hour casualty department, which can be reached at +220 422 3111.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Bakau, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Leybato
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 1.5 km · ~19 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Banjul International Airport → Cape Point Hotel, Bakau
💡 Book in advance with the hotel to ensure availability and a smooth transfer.
Banjul Bus Station → Bakau Bus Station
💡 Take the B6 bus from the Banjul Bus Station for a scenic route along the coast.
Bakau Bus Station → Cape Point Hotel
💡 Negotiate the price before you start your journey to get a fair deal.
Bakau Main Road → Cape Point Hotel
💡 Rent a bike from a local shop on the main road and explore Bakau at your own pace.
About Bakau
Wikipedia ↗
Bakau is a town on the Atlantic coast of Gambia, west of Gambia's capital city of Banjul. It is known for its botanical gardens, its crocodile pool Bakau Kachikally and for the beaches at Cape Point. Bakau is the first major suburb outside Banjul and the most developed town in the Gambia. Close to ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Leybato?
Request a room on the upper floors, preferably facing the courtyard or rear of the property, away from the street. These rooms are typically quieter and may offer better airflow.
Which rooms should I avoid at Leybato?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception area, as they suffer from lobby noise and foot traffic. Also avoid rooms facing the main road due to traffic noise – Bakau’s streets can be busy, especially in the morning and evening.
Is Leybato noisy?
Bakau is a coastal town with moderate traffic. Street noise from motorcycles and cars can be noticeable, especially during rush hours. There may also be noise from nearby markets or early morning prayer calls from local mosques.
Which rooms have the best views at Leybato?
Upper-floor rooms at the back or side of the hotel may offer views over nearby rooftops or greenery, rather than the street. If available, a room facing the pool or garden (if present) will be the best option.
What are insider tips for staying at Leybato?
1. Request a room at check-in, as the front desk may be able to assign a quieter spot if you arrive early. 2. Bring earplugs or a white noise app, as 3-star hotels in this area often have thin walls and basic insulation.
What time is check-in at Leybato?
Check-in at Leybato is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Leybato have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; moderate speed (about 10 Mbps download); no login required, just select network and accept terms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Leybato?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Leybato?
A filling bowl of benachin or yassa from a local 'cook-shop' runs 80–150 GMD.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Leybato?
Shared yellow bush taxis (15–30 GMD per trip within Bakau); from the airport take a shared taxi to Serekunda or Bakau for about 150–200 GMD per person.
When is the best time to visit Bakau?
November to February: dry, cloudless days with temperatures 25–30°C, low humidity, and the main tourist season means all restaurants and boat trips are running. April and May also work well with fewer crowds but hotter afternoons.
Top Attractions in Bakau
💡 Be careful not to get too close to the crocodiles.
💡 Take a stroll along the nearby beach to enjoy the sunset.
💡 Take a guided tour to get the most out of your visit.