Cameroon requires a visa for most nationalities before arrival. The electronic visa system launched in 2018 operates through https://www.evisacam.cm for tourist, business, and transit categories. Processing typically requires seven to fourteen days. Single-entry tourist visas permit stays of thirty days. The Ministry of External Relations manages the system. Citizens of Chad and Central African Republic hold entry exemptions under CEMAC agreements. Yellow fever vaccination certificates are mandatory at all entry points and officers verify physical cards on arrival.
Douala International Airport handles the largest passenger volume and most international flights arrive here rather than Yaoundé Nsimalen International Airport. The land borders with Nigeria at Ekok and Idenau see tourist traffic. The Garoua border crossing connects to Chad. The southern borders with Equatorial Guinea Congo and Central African Republic remain primarily commercial routes with limited tourist infrastructure. Border posts close at 18:00 in most locations. The Bakassi Peninsula maritime border with Nigeria remains sensitive and travelers should avoid independent attempts to cross here.
Cameroon uses the Central African CFA franc (XAF). Six countries share this currency through the Bank of Central African States headquartered in Yaoundé. The exchange rate pegs to the euro at 655.957 XAF per euro. This rate has remained fixed since 1999 when the euro replaced the French franc. One US dollar exchanges for approximately 600 XAF though this fluctuates with dollar-euro movements.
ATMs exist in Douala and Yaoundé city centers. Afriland First Bank Société Générale Cameroun and Ecobank operate the most reliable networks. Rural areas including Maroua Garoua Bafoussam and Bamenda have limited ATM availability and machines frequently run empty or offline. Daily withdrawal limits range from 100,000 to 300,000 XAF depending on the institution. Visa cards function more reliably than Mastercard at Cameroonian ATMs.
Credit cards see acceptance only at major hotels in Douala and Yaoundé and upscale restaurants. The Hotel Hilton Yaoundé and Pullman Douala Rabingha accept cards. Smaller establishments across all regions operate cash-only. Mobile money through Orange Money and MTN Mobile Money has replaced card infrastructure in most commercial contexts. Gas stations do not accept cards outside Douala and Yaoundé.
Currency exchange occurs through banks and authorized exchange bureaus. Banks offer official rates but require extensive documentation and queuing. Unauthorized street exchanges operate in markets but carry confiscation and police risks. Bringing euros provides easier exchange than dollars outside major cities. Banks close by 15:30 on weekdays and remain closed on weekends. Commercial Bank of Cameroon and Banque Internationale du Cameroun pour l'Epargne et le Crédit maintain branches in regional capitals.
Douala and Yaoundé hotel rooms range from 25,000 XAF for basic guesthouses to 150,000 XAF for international chain hotels. Regional cities like Garoua and Bafoussam offer rooms between 15,000 and 40,000 XAF. Shared taxi rides within cities cost 200 to 300 XAF per person. Inter-city bush taxis from Douala to Yaoundé cost approximately 3,500 XAF. The train from Yaoundé to Ngaoundéré costs 10,500 XAF for first class and covers 885 kilometers overnight.
Restaurant meals in cities range from 1,500 XAF for street food rice and stew to 8,000 XAF for sit-down restaurant meals. Ndolé in a local restaurant costs 2,000 to 3,000 XAF. Poulet DG in Douala restaurants reaches 7,000 XAF. Bottles of Castel or 33 Export beer cost 600 XAF in bars. One liter of petrol costs approximately 700 XAF. Entrance to Waza National Park costs 5,000 XAF for foreigners. Dja Faunal Reserve permits require advance arrangement through the Ministry of Forestry and Wildlife with fees starting at 10,000 XAF.
MTN Cameroon and Orange Cameroon provide the primary mobile networks. MTN claims 12 million subscribers as of 2022. SIM cards require passport registration and cost 500 to 1,000 XAF including small initial credit. Registration happens at branded shops in Douala and Yaoundé same-day. Smaller vendors in regional cities may complete registration but this takes longer. One gigabyte of mobile data costs approximately 1,000 XAF. Ten gigabytes cost around 7,000 XAF. Data packages expire after seven or thirty days depending on the plan.