Hotels in Gambia

Hotels in Gambia: your guide to where to stay

How much does a hotel in Gambia cost?

The price depends on the standard, the location and the dates. The table shows indicative nightly rates for a double room. The cheapest months are the rainy season, August to October, while December at the peak of the tourist season is the priciest. Booking ahead usually brings better rates.

Indicative rates, updated periodically. For exact prices and availability, select your dates in the search above.

Where to stay in Gambia: most popular cities

Tourism is concentrated along the coastal strip around the capital. These are the destinations travellers choose most often:

• Banjul. The capital and the most popular base. Albert Market, the National Museum and the colonial old town. A handy starting point near the airport.
• Serrekunda. The country's largest town, with Senegambia and Kotu beaches nearby. The widest choice of resorts and hotels with a pool.
• Kololi. A resort area with nightlife, restaurants and beachfront hotels. Popular with couples and travellers after comfort.
• Bakau. The quieter Cape Point area, with oceanfront hotels and the Kachikally crocodile pool nearby.
• Brufut and Brusubi. Newer boutique properties a little away from the bustle, close to the beaches and well rated by guests.

Nightly rates vary between towns. Here are indicative prices per night for a double room:

What to see in Gambia

The country is small, so it is easy to combine the beach with nature and a river cruise.

• Beaches. Senegambia and Kotu sit close to Banjul, while Kartong and Gunjur in the south are quieter and less crowded.
• Abuko Reserve. The country's first nature reserve, with forest trails, birds and small wildlife within a short trip.
• Banjul and Albert Market. The colour and buzz of the market, local crafts and the National Museum of Gambia in the heart of the capital.
• River Gambia cruise. Watch hippos and a wide range of water birds from the deck of a boat.
• Wassu Stone Circles. UNESCO-listed megaliths in the east of the country, a trace of earlier cultures.

How much does a trip to Gambia cost

Beyond the room, daily costs are low. A meal at a local restaurant is the equivalent of a dollar or two, and a GTSC bus ride costs from a fraction of a dollar to a few dollars depending on the route. Cards are taken mainly by larger hotels, while cash is essential elsewhere. ATMs are few and can be unreliable, so it helps to carry dalasi.

When is the best time to visit Gambia

The best time is the dry, sunny half of the year, November to May, when humidity is low and temperatures reach about 27 degrees. November and February are especially good for birdwatching and wildlife. December is the peak season and the priciest. The rainy season in July and August is cheaper but more humid.

Getting to and around Gambia

Most flights land at Banjul airport, served by airlines such as Royal Air Maroc, Brussels Airlines and TAP Air Portugal. Overland, you can arrive by bus from Dakar in Senegal. Within the country, shared taxis known as bush taxis run without a fixed schedule and can be flagged down anywhere. Tourist taxis have fixed fares. The state company GTSC runs a bus network along both banks of the River Gambia.

Example hotels in Gambia

A few recognisable properties from different towns for reference:

• Coco Ocean Resort & Spa and Kairaba Beach Hotel near Serrekunda (beachfront, upper tier, from approx. GMD 8,800).
• Ocean Bay Hotel & Resort and Cape Point Hotel in Bakau (oceanfront, from approx. GMD 5,200).
• Tropic Garden Hotel in Banjul (close to the centre, from approx. GMD 3,100).