Cameroon · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Douala scores 38/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: caution advised. Douala presents significant safety concerns, requiring a high degree of caution for travelers. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (high risk) and robbery (high risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Cameroon · Assessed 29 July 2026
38
/ 100
Safer than ~24% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
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 2026-02-09T16:16:46Z
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 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
HighHigh concern about mugging and robbery, with locals reporting significant worry.
Pickpocketing
HighHigh risk of pickpocketing and bag-snatching, particularly in busy public areas.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Very Negative
36/100
Locals and visitors report a very low sense of safety, with significant worry about mugging and robbery, and a strong feeling of unease when walking alone, especially after dark.
Douala presents significant safety concerns, requiring a high degree of caution for travelers.
While Douala has a homicide rate slightly above the global average and experiences issues with violent and property crime, the primary risks for travelers stem from a high crime index, a low sense of personal safety, and potential civil unrest. Travelers should be aware of the risk of bribery and the need for vigilance, especially at night.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Douala, Cameroon, presents a challenging safety environment for travelers, demanding a high level of vigilance and caution. While official advisories from Canada and the UK suggest exercising a high degree of caution, the ground-level data indicates that risks related to crime, personal security, and potential civil unrest are significant. The city's crime index is high, and residents report considerable worry about mugging and robbery.
Travelers should be particularly aware of the low sense of personal safety reported by locals, especially concerning walking alone at night, where feelings of security are very low. Property crime is also a significant concern. Beyond street crime, there is a notable risk of bribery when interacting with public officials, with nearly half of reported encounters involving such demands.
Recent events highlight the potential for civil unrest. In late 2025, Douala experienced deadly protests and crackdowns following disputed election results, indicating a volatile political climate. These events underscore the importance of staying informed about local developments and avoiding large gatherings or demonstrations. While there are no active natural disaster alerts, the general crime and political instability present the most immediate threats to traveler safety.
To mitigate risks, travelers should avoid walking alone, particularly after dark, and remain highly aware of their surroundings at all times. Securing valuables and being discreet is crucial, especially in crowded areas like markets. Travelers should also be prepared for potential bribery attempts and understand how to navigate such situations. Staying informed about the local political climate and heeding official travel advisories is paramount for a safer journey.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Douala districts for visitors: 1 safer, 4 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Douala safety map.
New BellavoidKnown for higher crime rates; avoid unless necessary and with extreme caution.
BonanjocautionBusiness district, can be busy; exercise caution with petty crime.
AkwacautionCentral commercial area; be aware of pickpockets and opportunistic theft.
BassacautionIndustrial and residential area; higher risk of petty crime, especially after dark.
Cité des PalmierscautionMixed residential and commercial; be vigilant against petty crime.
BonamoussadisaferResidential area, generally considered safer for visitors.
07 · After Dark
44% of people in Cameroon say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2021).
High concern about mugging and robbery, with locals reporting significant worry.
After dark, be most careful around New Bell, Bonanjo, Akwa, Bassa. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Douala's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Douala presents significant safety concerns, requiring a high degree of caution for travelers. While Douala has a homicide rate slightly above the global average and experiences issues with violent and property crime, the primary risks for travelers stem from a high crime index, a low sense of personal safety, and potential civil unrest. Travelers should be aware of the risk of bribery and the need for vigilance, especially at night. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags New Bell as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Douala ranks #3 of 3 Cameroon destinations we've assessed, scoring 38/100. See the Cameroon safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the Cameroon safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: douala.json (CC BY 4.0).