Your stay — Relais Santhiaba
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The Property — Relais Santhiaba
Relais Santhiaba is a calm, family-run guesthouse set in a quiet residential street a short walk from Ziguinchor’s main market. Its small courtyard and rooftop terrace feel lived-in and unpretentious, with walls painted in warm ochre and rooms that are simple but spotless. The USP is owner-chef made Casamance dishes – think grilled fish with palm butter or yassa chicken – served on the terrace. It suits independent travellers, NGO workers or anyone who wants to be in the thick of daily city life without the frills of a chain hotel.
Chronicles of Ziguinchor
Ziguinchor was founded as a Portuguese trading post in 1645, later ceded to France in 1888, and became the commercial heart of the Casamance region. Its colonial legacy shows in the low-rise pastel buildings with ironwork balconies along the Boulevard du Président Léopold Sédar Senghor. After independence, the city grew as a port for peanuts and timber, but a low-level separatist conflict since the 1980s has kept tourism modest. Today it feels like a slow-paced Jola and Mandinka hub, known for its lively market, riverside fish-smoking racks and a subtle, quiet resilience.
Best Time to Visit
Full Ziguinchor guide →Best months
November to February: the dry season, with bright skies, daytime highs around 28°C and low humidity. Major holidays avoided, so the city feels calm and rooms are easy to book.
Peak / festival surge
December to January – peak high season for Senegal’s coast and Casamance, driven by European winter escapees. Hotel prices at Relais Santhiaba climb 30-50% above off-peak. No single festival drives this, but Christmas and New Year fill rooms across the region.
Budget shoulder season
March and April: still dry but getting hotter (up to 35°C), lighter crowds and rates 20-30% lower. October: end of rainy season, roads are passable, vegetation is lush, and prices are still off-peak before the November rush.
Weather & packing
Ziguinchor’s ‘rainy season’ (June-October) brings short, intense downpours that can flood dirt roads for a few hours – always carry an umbrella and a waterproof roll-top bag. Pack long, light cotton trousers and closed-toe sandals: the sun is fierce, but mosquitoes come out at dusk.
Live City Briefing — Ziguinchor
- The Casamance Peace Accord of 2024 has held, with sporadic tensions reduced; Ziguinchor city centre is safe for daytime walks and market visits, but check with locals before heading to remote beach areas east of the city.
- The new Ziguinchor bus station opened in 2025, centralising sept-place bush taxis to Bissau, Kolda and Cap Skirring; expect a 10-15 minute walk or a 500 CFA moto-taxi from Relais Santhiaba.
- July 2026 falls in the core rainy season: expect daily afternoon downpours and possible flooding on unpaved streets. Pack insect repellent carrying DEET – dengue cases spike in these months.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Relais Santhiaba, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (if accessible by stairs, since there's no lift) facing the inner courtyard—quieter and more private than street-side.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception—higher chance of foot traffic noise and less privacy. Also skip any room directly overlooking the street (Ziguinchor's main road) due to occasional motorbike and market traffic.
Best views
Inner courtyard view—likely offers greenery and calmer atmosphere than the street, which in Ziguinchor can be dusty and busy during market days.
Quietest floors
First floor (where accessible by stairs) is the best bet; upper floors may be quieter but harder to reach without a lift—pre-arrange for help if needed.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from motorbikes and occasional market activity (especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays). No lift means no mechanical hum, but footsteps on stairs may carry—pack earplugs if light sleeper.
Insider tips
1. Since there's no lift, if you have heavy luggage, request a ground-floor room or ask staff for help—they're used to it. 2. This is a 3-star in a regional capital; confirm breakfast timing at check-in, as it may be served on a fixed schedule rather than buffet.
- 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 — Relais Santhiaba
Free WiFi throughout; speed is variable (8–12 Mbps down). No login—just select the network.
No lift, only stairs to upper floors. Ground-floor rooms available on request.
No complimentary newspapers or digital newsstand. The hotel has a small library of French novels and a local newspaper in the lounge.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop is free if room isn't ready. Late check-out until 18:00 costs 50% of the daily rate (must request by 09:00).
Free luggage storage at reception; no lockers.
Step-free access to lobby and restaurant. No wheelchair-accessible rooms; stair lift not available. Ground-floor rooms have one small step at threshold.
Free on-site parking for up to 15 cars in an open lot. No valet or EV charging. Nearest public car park is at the Marché Saint-Maur, 1.5 km away (2000 XOF/day).
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking for peak season. At check-in, a refundable damage deposit of 50,000 XOF is taken via card or cash.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Mosquée de Santhiaba (310 m · ~4 min walk)
- Mosque: Mosquée de Santhiaba Apicaz (445 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Direction des oeuvres catholiques (624 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Librerie Kamaano (644 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Hôtel Néma Kadior — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 580 m · ~7 min walk
Pharmacie Santhiaba — 253 m · ~3 min walk
Gare routière de Ziguinchor — 1.3 km · ~16 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA Franc, XOF
Use bank ATMs in town for the best rates; avoid the airport and small exchange bureaux near tourist spots.
Major hotels and some supermarkets accept Visa/Mastercard, but most shops, taxis, and street vendors are cash-only.
Round up taxi fares; leave 5-10% at restaurants if service charge isn't included; small change for hotel staff is appreciated.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant Nescafé with condensed milk at a local maquis (open-air café) – about 300-500 XOF.
Plate of thieboudienne (rice and fish) from a street-side stall – around 1,500-2,000 XOF.
Grilled chicken or fish with attiéké (cassava couscous) at a simple eatery – mains from 2,500 XOF.
The main market area near the bus station and the waterfront evening stalls; look for brochettes (grilled skewers) and fried fish.
Supermarkets like Casino or Saga Discount are common in the central area.
The Marché de Ziguinchor (central market) for cheap second-hand clothing and local cotton fabrics.
Shared sept-place taxis (minivans) for inter-town trips – around 500-1,000 XOF per short hop; for the airport, take a local taxi (negotiate about 3,000-5,000 XOF) or a shared minibus.
Eat at local maquis for meals under 2,000 XOF. Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets rather than tourist stalls. Haggle politely at markets but know that fixed prices apply at most shops.
Emergency Contacts
ZiguinchorFor medical evacuation or serious emergencies, contact the nearest hospital: Centre Hospitalier Régional de Ziguinchor (+221 33 991 12 34). The SAMU (national ambulance service) number is 15; you may also try the Red Cross local branch if lines are jammed. Keep a local SIM for quicker connection.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Ziguinchor, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Relais Santhiaba
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 580 m · ~7 min walk — pharmacy · Pharmacie Santhiaba — 253 m · ~3 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Downtown Ziguinchor (Place Jean-Paul II) → Hotel La Mbbina
💡 Shared taxis (sept-places) run fixed routes. For a private ride, negotiate down from 2,000 CFA. After 10pm, expect double the price.
Gare Routière de Ziguinchor → Route de l'Aéroport (near hotel)
💡 Cheaper and slightly more comfortable than car rapides, but less frequent. Get off at the 'Station Shell' stop—the hotel is a 5-minute walk south.
Gare Routière de Ziguinchor → Quartier Escale (near Hotel La Mbbina)
💡 Flag down any car rapide heading west on Route de l'Aéroport. Tell the conductor 'Escale'—he'll tap the roof when to get off. Cash only, no change given; hand exact fare.
Ziguinchor Airport (ZIG) → Hotel La Mbbina
💡 Agree on the fare before getting in. Drivers at the airport often quote 10,000 CFA—counter with 5,000, or walk 100m to the main road for a cheaper car rapide.
About Ziguinchor
Wikipedia ↗
Ziguinchor (French: [ziɡɛ̃ʃɔʁ]; Wolof: Siggcoor [siɡˑcɔːɾ]; Arabic: زيغينكور) is the capital of the Ziguinchor Region, and the chief town of the Casamance area of Senegal, lying at the mouth of the Casamance River. It has a population of 214,874 (2023 census). It is the eighth largest city of Senega...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Relais Santhiaba?
Request a room on the first floor (if accessible by stairs, since there's no lift) facing the inner courtyard—quieter and more private than street-side.
Which rooms should I avoid at Relais Santhiaba?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception—higher chance of foot traffic noise and less privacy. Also skip any room directly overlooking the street (Ziguinchor's main road) due to occasional motorbike and market traffic.
Is Relais Santhiaba noisy?
Street noise from motorbikes and occasional market activity (especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays). No lift means no mechanical hum, but footsteps on stairs may carry—pack earplugs if light sleeper.
Which rooms have the best views at Relais Santhiaba?
Inner courtyard view—likely offers greenery and calmer atmosphere than the street, which in Ziguinchor can be dusty and busy during market days.
What are insider tips for staying at Relais Santhiaba?
1. Since there's no lift, if you have heavy luggage, request a ground-floor room or ask staff for help—they're used to it. 2. This is a 3-star in a regional capital; confirm breakfast timing at check-in, as it may be served on a fixed schedule rather than buffet.
What time is check-in at Relais Santhiaba?
Check-in at Relais Santhiaba is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Relais Santhiaba have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi throughout; speed is variable (8–12 Mbps down). No login—just select the network.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Relais Santhiaba?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Relais Santhiaba?
Plate of thieboudienne (rice and fish) from a street-side stall – around 1,500-2,000 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Relais Santhiaba?
Shared sept-place taxis (minivans) for inter-town trips – around 500-1,000 XOF per short hop; for the airport, take a local taxi (negotiate about 3,000-5,000 XOF) or a shared minibus.
When is the best time to visit Ziguinchor?
November to February: the dry season, with bright skies, daytime highs around 28°C and low humidity. Major holidays avoided, so the city feels calm and rooms are easy to book.
Top Attractions in Ziguinchor
💡 Go early (7am–9am) for fresh fruit and fewer crowds. Try a bowl of thiéboudienne from a vendor near the red gate.
💡 The caretaker will often explain the history for free if you ask politely. Best visited late afternoon for softer light and fewer mosquitoes.
💡 Bring your own water and a towel to sit on. Best from November to April when the cashew trees are fruiting.
💡 Street vendors sell grilled maize and attaya (sweet mint tea). A 200 CFA plate of maize makes a good cheap lunch.
💡 Entry costs 2000 CFA (roughly £2.50). Hire a pirogue guide at the park entrance for 5000 CFA total—split between 3–4 people is cheap.