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“Exercise normal precautionin Senegal. Senegal is generally a safe destination for travelers.”
Updated Mon, 01 Dec 2025
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Is Saint-Louis safe? 🇸🇳
Senegal · Safety report last updated
As of October 2026, Saint-Louis scores 79/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes. Saint-Louis is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime but notable pickpocketing and scam risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and tourist-targeted scams. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Saint-Louis 🇸🇳
Senegal · Assessed 19 October 2026
79
/ 100
What drives this score
Crime82/100GoodHomicide 0.3 / 100k
Sentiment83/100GoodMostly positive
Advisories85Good
Stability68Fair
Health61Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide.”
Updated 2026-10-15T09:10:52Z
Full advisory →Exercise a high degree of caution
“Canada's official risk level for Senegal: exercise a high degree of caution.”
Updated 2026-10-15T08:16:43.6801533-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
254k residents
81
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
0.3 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Senegal0.3Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
100
Robbery / mugging
LowArmed robbery is rare and mostly opportunistic, occurring after dark in poorly lit areas
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing and bag-snatching happen in crowded markets and near tourist sites, especially during festivals
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Stable
Traveller sentiment score
Mostly positive
83/100
Reported feel75Mostly positive
Robbery risk92Low risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveller reports indicate visitors feel safe exploring the city by day, particularly in the UNESCO-listed historic centre, but express unease about night-time movement in less frequented zones.
Yes. Saint-Louis is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime but notable pickpocketing and scam risks.
Saint-Louis has a very low homicide rate and minimal terrorism risk, but visitors should be alert to petty theft and scams in crowded areas. The city’s historic centre is safe by day, though night-time movement in less frequented zones warrants caution. Recent reports indicate pickpocketing occurs in markets and near tourist sites, especially during festivals.
Recent developments
- Feb 2025Section de Recherches de Saint-Louis dismantled a large QNET-linked fraud network— pressafrik.com
- Oct 2024Fake Orange Money agent arrested in Saint-Louis for allegedly siphoning over 36 million CFA francs— wansom.ai
Common scams
- Fake Orange Money agents defrauding victims of large sums
- QNET-related fraud networks operating in Saint-Louis
Full briefing
Saint-Louis remains a generally safe destination for visitors, particularly in its UNESCO-listed historic centre where daytime exploration poses minimal risk. The city benefits from an exceptionally low homicide rate and no active terrorism threats, contributing to its strong safety profile. However, recent reports confirm that petty crime and scams persist as the primary concerns for travelers, with pickpocketing concentrated in busy markets and near tourist attractions, especially during festivals or crowded events.
Specific scams targeting visitors include fraudulent Orange Money agents and QNET-related networks, both of which have been subject to police action in recent months. In February 2025, authorities dismantled a large QNET-linked fraud network in Saint-Louis, and in October 2024, a fake Orange Money agent was arrested for allegedly siphoning over 36 million CFA francs from victims. These incidents highlight the need for vigilance when handling money or engaging with unfamiliar financial offers.
To stay safe, travelers should use a money belt, avoid displaying valuables, and wear clothing with secure pockets while leaving shirts untucked to deter pickpockets. Walking alone at night in poorly lit or unfamiliar areas should be avoided, and visitors are advised to remain alert in crowded spaces such as markets and festival zones. By taking these precautions, visitors can enjoy Saint-Louis’s rich cultural heritage with confidence.
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06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 8 Saint-Louis districts for visitors: 4 safer, 3 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Saint-Louis safety map.
Marché Central (Central Market)avoidHigh-density market; frequent pickpocketing, bag-snatching, and scam reports; avoid carrying valuables or visiting alone after dark.
Langue de BarbariecautionPopular beach area; safe during daylight but isolated after dark; occasional petty theft reported near fishing settlements.
Quartier Ndar ToutcautionBusy local market zone; pickpocketing and scams reported, especially during daytime crowds; avoid flashing valuables.
Pont Faidherbe approachescautionHigh foot traffic bridge and approaches; pickpocketing risk in crowds; remain alert with belongings.
Île de Saint-Louis (Historic Centre)saferUNESCO World Heritage site; generally safe by day with visible police presence; pickpocketing possible in crowded areas.
Faubourg de SorsaferResidential neighbourhood north of the island; low crime, quiet streets, minimal tourist targeting.
Gaston Berger University areasaferCampus and surrounding student zone; peaceful with regular security patrols; no recent incidents targeting visitors.
Quartier LodosaferSouthern residential area; calm environment, low visitor traffic, minimal crime reports.
07 · After Dark
Is Saint-Louis safe at night?
Armed robbery is rare and mostly opportunistic, occurring after dark in poorly lit areas
After dark, be most careful around Marché Central (Central Market), Langue de Barbarie, Quartier Ndar Tout, Pont Faidherbe approaches. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Saint-Louis safety FAQ (2026)
Is Saint-Louis safe right now (2026)?
Yes. Saint-Louis is generally safe for visitors with low violent crime but notable pickpocketing and scam risks. Saint-Louis has a very low homicide rate and minimal terrorism risk, but visitors should be alert to petty theft and scams in crowded areas. The city’s historic centre is safe by day, though night-time movement in less frequented zones warrants caution. Recent reports indicate pickpocketing occurs in markets and near tourist sites, especially during festivals. (Assessed 19 October 2026.)
Is Saint-Louis safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Saint-Louis 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 Saint-Louis should tourists avoid?
Field research flags Marché Central (Central Market) as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Saint-Louis (2026)?
- Fake Orange Money agents defrauding victims of large sums
- QNET-related fraud networks operating in Saint-Louis
How does Saint-Louis compare with other places in Senegal (2026)?
Saint-Louis ranks #1 of 3 Senegal destinations we've assessed, scoring 79/100. See the Senegal safety overview for the full list.
How is this saint-louis safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ 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: saint-louis.json (CC BY 4.0).