Exercise Increased Caution
“Exercise increased cautionin Cameroon due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, health, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some areas have increased risk.”
Updated Fri, 15 May 2026
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Is Douala safe? 🇨🇲
Cameroon · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Douala scores 40/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. No. Douala remains unsafe for visitors due to high crime, frequent protests, and limited police effectiveness. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Douala 🇨🇲
Cameroon · Assessed 20 October 2026
40
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime41/100CautionCrime index 70.3 / 100 · city-level
Sentiment35/100ElevatedMostly negative
Advisories75Good
Stability41Caution
Health80Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
“Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel Bakassi Peninsula FCDO advises against all travel to Bakassi Peninsula.”
Updated 2026-10-07T10:35:34Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Cameroon: exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-10-14T09:05:54.5730832-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Urban scale factor
1.3M residents
65
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
6.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Cameroon6.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
58
Robbery / mugging
HighArmed robbery and mugging pose a high risk to visitors, particularly in central markets and poorly lit streets at night
Pickpocketing
HighPickpocketing and bag-snatching are widespread in crowded areas like Marché Central and public transport hubs
▸ 4 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Caution
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Elevated
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly negative
35/100
Reported feel24Mostly negative
Robbery risk34High risk
Pickpocket risk58High risk
Visitors report feeling unsafe walking alone, with only 19% feeling safe at night and 40% in daylight, reflecting widespread concern about crime
No. Douala remains unsafe for visitors due to high crime, frequent protests, and limited police effectiveness.
Douala's crime index is high at 70.3/100, with visitors reporting low safety walking alone at night (19/100) and widespread concern about robbery (75/100). Recent protests and electoral unrest have led to clashes and internet blackouts, increasing risks for travelers. While health and environmental hazards are moderate, crime and instability dominate the safety profile.
Recent developments
- Oct 2025Protest erupted in Douala as opposition leader rejected election results, leading to clashes and arrests— Reuters
- Jul 2026Internet blackout occurred in Cameroon amid protests over President Biya’s re-election, disrupting communications— Technext24.com
- Sep 2026Travel safety report noted high crime rates in Douala, including robbery and petty theft targeting visitors— Travel Safe - Abroad
Common scams
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or colluding with thieves
- Police officers demanding bribes for minor or fabricated violations
Full briefing
Douala faces persistent security challenges that directly affect visitors. The city’s crime index of 70.3/100 reflects widespread theft and violent crime, with armed robbery and mugging common in areas like Marché Central and dimly lit neighborhoods after dark. Pickpocketing is especially rampant in crowded markets and on public transport, where thieves target phones, wallets, and bags. Recent protests, including the October 2025 demonstration following disputed election results, have led to clashes, arrests, and periodic internet blackouts, as seen in July 2026, increasing unpredictability for travelers.
Police response is often slow or ineffective, and corruption remains a serious issue, with frequent reports of officers demanding bribes for minor or fabricated offenses. Fake taxis pose another risk — some drivers overcharge or collaborate with thieves to rob passengers. Visitors should avoid street-hailed cabs entirely and rely only on pre-arranged transport from trusted hotels or verified apps. Displaying valuables like smartphones, cameras, or jewelry invites attention and should be avoided in public spaces.
Health risks are moderate, with dengue, measles, and polio notices in effect, but these are secondary to crime and unrest. Avoid all protests, political gatherings, and isolated areas, especially at night. While Douala is Cameroon’s economic hub, its safety profile demands vigilance: blend in, stay alert, and limit movement to daylight hours in known, secure zones. The combination of high crime, low public trust in authorities, and recurring unrest makes caution essential for any visitor.
Was this Douala, Cameroon report helpful?
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Douala districts for visitors: 2 safer, 4 needing caution and 2 best avoided. See them plotted on the Douala safety map.
New BellavoidHigh-density area with frequent reports of armed robbery, muggings, and gang activity; avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
YoupweavoidFishing port area with elevated risk of theft and occasional violent crime; avoid isolated docks and nighttime visits.
AkwacautionCentral business district with active markets and nightlife; petty theft common, especially in crowded areas and on public transport.
DeidocautionHistoric neighborhood with vibrant culture; pickpocketing and bag snatching reported in markets and near transport hubs.
BassacautionIndustrial and residential zone; petty crime occurs, particularly near factories and transport links; remain alert with valuables.
LogbabacautionAirport-adjacent zone with mixed safety; petty theft reported around transport points; use pre-arranged taxis for airport transfers.
BonabérisaferResidential area with lower crime rates; daytime walking generally safe, but avoid isolated streets after dark.
BonamoussadisaferUpscale residential area with better security presence; suitable for daytime visits and evening dining in reputable venues.
07 · After Dark
Is Douala safe at night?
44% of people in Cameroon say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2021).
Armed robbery and mugging pose a high risk to visitors, particularly in central markets and poorly lit streets at night
After dark, be most careful around New Bell, Youpwe, Akwa, Deido. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Douala safety FAQ (2026)
Is Douala safe right now (2026)?
No. Douala remains unsafe for visitors due to high crime, frequent protests, and limited police effectiveness. Douala's crime index is high at 70.3/100, with visitors reporting low safety walking alone at night (19/100) and widespread concern about robbery (75/100). Recent protests and electoral unrest have led to clashes and internet blackouts, increasing risks for travelers. While health and environmental hazards are moderate, crime and instability dominate the safety profile. (Assessed 20 October 2026.)
Is Douala safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Douala report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Douala should tourists avoid?
Field research flags New Bell, Youpwe as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Douala (2026)?
- Fake taxi drivers overcharging or colluding with thieves
- Police officers demanding bribes for minor or fabricated violations
How does Douala compare with other places in Cameroon (2026)?
Douala ranks #3 of 3 Cameroon destinations we've assessed, scoring 40/100. See the Cameroon safety overview for the full list.
How is this douala safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 14+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
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Raw data: douala.json (CC BY 4.0).