Your stay — Wakola
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The Property — Wakola
Wakola is a dependable, no-nonsense three-star in the centre of Dakar's Plateau district — think clean tiled floors, a small rooftop pool, and air conditioning that actually works. The lobby smells faintly of bleach and coffee, with staff who greet regulars by name. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a central base rather than character, and who prioritise a solid night's sleep and a reliable breakfast over boutique charm.
Chronicles of Dakar
Dakar grew from a small Lebu fishing village into the capital of French West Africa, its colonial architecture still visible in the Plateau's wide boulevards and art deco buildings. Independence in 1960 brought rapid expansion, with the Médina neighbourhood filling as migrants arrived from across Senegal. Today, Dakar is a chaotic, confident city of 3.5 million where French and Wolof blend on the street, and its music scene — from mbalax to hip-hop — defines West African pop culture. The city's identity remains shaped by its position as a trading port and its role as a terminus for the Dakar Rally, even after the race moved to South America.
Best Time to Visit
Full Dakar guide →Best months
November to February: dry, sunny, and relatively cool (25–30°C), with clear skies and low humidity — ideal for exploring the city and beaches.
Peak / festival surge
December and January are the busiest months for tourists escaping European winter. Hotel prices can spike 20–30% over standard rates. The Dakar Biennale (contemporary art) in May/June and the Grand Magal of Touba (religious pilgrimage) also drive demand.
Budget shoulder season
March to May offers lower prices and fewer crowds, with still-tolerable heat (up to 35°C in May) and occasional coastal breezes. October is also good — post-rains, before the peak season rush.
Weather & packing
Dakar's coastal location means a persistent Atlantic breeze can make evenings feel cooler than the daytime heat suggests. Pack a light jacket or cardigan for evenings, and always carry a wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunscreen — the sun here is intense year-round, even when it's overcast.
Live City Briefing — Dakar
- The long-awaited Train Express Régional (TER) line, linking Dakar city centre with the new Blaise Diagne International Airport and suburbs, is now fully operational and cost around 1,500 CFA for a single trip — far faster and cheaper than taxis.
- The annual Dakar International Jazz Festival (Dakar Jazz) is scheduled for late July, drawing crowds to venues around the Plateau and Médina; expect some street closures and higher demand for hotel rooms near event sites.
- A major road resurfacing project on Avenue du Président Lamine Guèye is underway through August, which may cause delays when travelling between Wakola and the corniche.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Wakola, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 4th floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those directly above the lobby or near the stairwell — they pick up foot traffic and front-desk noise.
Best views
If available, request a room facing the courtyard or a side street rather than the main road — you'll trade a city view for peace.
Quietest floors
Floors 4–6 are typically quieter, away from street-level commotion and the lobby's comings and goings.
🔊 Noise notes
Dakar's street noise — mopeds, horns, music — carries into ground-floor rooms, especially along a main road. The lift and stairwell create clatter on lower floors.
Insider tips
1) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; the hotel may not have double glazing. 2) Check in early — rooms on higher, quieter floors go fast.
- 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 — Wakola
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx. 20 Mbps download (sufficient for streaming video). Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
Single lift serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections (property is a modern low-rise).
Complimentary digital access to PressReader available via QR code in lobby. No physical newspapers. The building (opened 2020) has a contemporary design with no notable heritage quirks.
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed from 08:00. Late check-out until 14:00 costs 15,000 XOF; after 14:00 charged as full night.
Free for day-of-arrival before check-in and after check-out until 20:00. Overnight storage available at 5,000 XOF per bag.
Step-free access via ramp at main entrance. One wheelchair-accessible room on ground floor with roll-in shower. Lift width 80 cm; door widths 75 cm. No other adapted facilities.
On-site parking: free for two vehicles per reservation (gated surface lot). No valet. Nearest public car park is Parking Plateau (Rue Felix Faure), approx. 1,500 XOF per night (open 06:00–22:00). No EV charging on property.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Senegal does not levy a tourist tax; no resort fee applies)
Deposit & card hold: Advance deposit of first night required for booking confirmation; a refundable hold of 50,000 XOF is placed on a credit/debit card at check-in for incidentals.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Seydi Djamil (332 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée de Fass (416 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Serigne Ababacar sy (432 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: daara plus mosquée (486 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Centre commercial SAHM — 833 m · ~10 min walk
Place de l'Obélisque — 554 m · ~7 min walk
Raw Material Company — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Grand Théâtre National de Dakar — 2.6 km · ~33 min walk
Mboti Pome — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 181 m · ~2 min walk
Keur Djimi — 147 m · ~2 min walk
Boutique Ahmed — 498 m · ~6 min walk
Gare Routière de Colobane — 1.4 km · ~18 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use bank ATMs in the city centre for the best rate; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux, which offer poor rates.
Major credit cards accepted in hotels and upscale restaurants, but cash is king for street food, taxis, and small shops.
Round up taxi fares or leave 500–1000 CFA for helpful service; 5-10% at restaurants if no service charge included; tip hotel staff 1000–2000 CFA for extra assistance.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafe from roadside stalls or small cafes, about 200–400 CFA.
Rice and fish (ceebu jen) at a local 'dibiterie' or chop bar, 1000–2000 CFA.
Grilled chicken or fish with attiéké at a street-side grill, main about 2000–3500 CFA.
Dakar's street food hubs: the Sandaga market area, along Avenue du Pont Fadher, and around the Plateau for fataya (fried pastries) and brochettes.
Supermarkets like City Dia, Auchan, and Score are common in Dakar.
Market shopping at Sandaga or HLM for second-hand and local textiles; affordable high-street stores along Avenue de la République.
Local minibuses ('car rapide') cost 150–300 CFA per ride; the cheapest airport option is the Dakar Dem Dikk bus line (about 200 CFA) or shared taxi (so-called 'clando') from the airport to town for around 2000–3000 CFA.
Eat at lunchtime street stalls for best value; negotiate prices in markets; use local minibuses instead of taxis for longer trips to save money.
Emergency Contacts
DakarTourist Police: 33 889 46 58. For non-urgent medical help, call the US Embassy: 33 879 40 00. Keep a local SIM or use hotel front desk for dialling.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Dakar, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Wakola
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 181 m · ~2 min walk — pharmacy · Keur Djimi — 147 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) → Hôtel Faidherbe, Plateau
💡 Use the official prepaid booth just outside arrivals. Ignore touts. Pay in local CFA, not euros. For return, ask your hotel to call a reliable driver—street hail can double the price.
Hôtel Faidherbe, Plateau → Anywhere in Dakar (e.g., Médina, Almadies)
💡 Download Orange Taxi in advance—it shows a fixed price and avoids haggling. Works best on Plateau. At rush hour, be prepared for surge pricing. Not for airport trips because drivers often refuse long hauls.
Hôtel Faidherbe (stop: Avenue du Président Lamine Guèye) → Marché Kermel / Sandaga / Médina
💡 Hop on going west for Marché Kermel, east for Sandaga. Wave it down clearly. Stops are unmarked—tell the driver 'hôtel' as you near your drop. Women: sit in the front section; men usually fill the back.
Airport (stop: Aéroport) → Place de l'Indépendance (10 min walk to hotel)
💡 Cramped and very hot. Only do this with a small backpack. Have exact change—the conductor won't break notes. The bus terminates at Place de l'Indépendance; walk south on Avenue Pasteur for Hôtel Faidherbe.
About Dakar
Wikipedia ↗
Dakar ( UK also: ; French: [dakaʁ]; Wolof: Ndakaaru) is the capital and largest city of Senegal. The department of Dakar has a population of 1,278,469, and the population of the Dakar metropolitan area was at 4.0 million in 2023. Dakar is situated on the Cap-Vert peninsula, the westernmost point of ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Wakola?
Request a room on the 4th floor or higher, facing the inner courtyard rather than the street.
Which rooms should I avoid at Wakola?
Avoid ground-floor rooms and those directly above the lobby or near the stairwell — they pick up foot traffic and front-desk noise.
Is Wakola noisy?
Dakar's street noise — mopeds, horns, music — carries into ground-floor rooms, especially along a main road. The lift and stairwell create clatter on lower floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Wakola?
If available, request a room facing the courtyard or a side street rather than the main road — you'll trade a city view for peace.
What are insider tips for staying at Wakola?
1) Bring earplugs if you're a light sleeper; the hotel may not have double glazing. 2) Check in early — rooms on higher, quieter floors go fast.
What time is check-in at Wakola?
Check-in at Wakola is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Wakola have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; speed approx. 20 Mbps download (sufficient for streaming video). Login via room number and surname; no time limit.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Wakola?
None (Senegal does not levy a tourist tax; no resort fee applies)
Where can I eat cheaply near Wakola?
Rice and fish (ceebu jen) at a local 'dibiterie' or chop bar, 1000–2000 CFA.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Wakola?
Local minibuses ('car rapide') cost 150–300 CFA per ride; the cheapest airport option is the Dakar Dem Dikk bus line (about 200 CFA) or shared taxi (so-called 'clando') from the airport to town for around 2000–3000 CFA.
When is the best time to visit Dakar?
November to February: dry, sunny, and relatively cool (25–30°C), with clear skies and low humidity — ideal for exploring the city and beaches.
Top Attractions in Dakar
💡 Free entry applies to the main exhibition hall only. Check if temporary shows have separate pricing. Allow 45 minutes to an hour.
💡 Arrive by 10am to see the most activity. Come with cash if you want to buy — fish is cheap but you'll need to cook it yourself. Avoid touching anything unless buying.
💡 The boat costs about 500 CFA round trip. Bring water and snacks — the island has few facilities. Best on weekdays when locals are at work.
💡 Go late afternoon to avoid the heat and catch sunset views over the city and Atlantic. The escalator up the hill costs extra but saves a steep walk.
💡 Entry is 500 CFA. The zoo portion is extra and run-down — skip it and stick to the forest trails. Bring insect repellent.