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Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in Cameroon due to the high level of violent crime in some regions and the tensions that exist in the Sahel region.
Cameroon
Cameroon’s crossroads culture stretches from Atlantic shores to northern Sahel, with French, English, and hundreds of local languages in the air.
Overview
Cameroon’s cities—Yaoundé, Douala, and Buea—anchor a country famed for its remarkable linguistic and regional variety. From humid coastal plains to highland towns and the arid north, daily life shifts with the landscape, offering a patchwork of traditions, languages, and climates to navigate.
At a glance
Languages
- English(Official)
- French(Official)
Population28,372,687
CurrencyCentral African CFA Franc (XAF)
1 XAF = 0.001739 USD
1 USD = 575.19 XAF
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerMuch weaker local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeLimitedSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyLimitedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionHighSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Tourist / Visa Waiver.
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- eVisa / Consular Services Portal
Cameroon official eVisa and consular services portal for online visa applications, registration, and login. The captured public shell identifies the portal as the official visa application site of the Government of Cameroon.
Languages
- English(Official)
- French(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Cameroon.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Bakassi Peninsula. FCDO advises against all travel to Bakassi Peninsula. Cameroon-Central African Republic border. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Central African Republic. Cameroon-Chad border. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Chad. Cameroon-Nigeria border. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the border with Nigeria, except for Garoua in the North Region. Far-North Region.
FCDO advises against all travel to the Far-North Region, except for:
- a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua
- 30km south of Maroua
North-West Region. FCDO advises against all travel to the North-West Region. South-West Region. FCDO advises against all travel to the South-West Region, including the towns of Buea, Muyuka and Tiko in Fako Division.
Except for:
- Limbé
- the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division
Limbé. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Limbé and the 35km stretch of the N3 road connecting Limbé to the Littoral Region in Fako Division, South-West Region. North Region, Adamawa Region and Maroua. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the North Region, including Garoua,, and a 20km radius to the north, east and west of Maroua, and 30km south of Maroua, in Far-North Region. Adamawa Region. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to within 20km of the border with the North region of Cameroon. FCDO advises against all travel to within 40km of the Central African Republic ( CAR ) and Nigeria borders.
United States
Level 2Exercise Increased Caution
Exercise Increased Caution in Cameroon due to risk of crime, terrorism, unrest, health, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do Not Travel to the Southwest, Northwest, and Far North Regions for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Do Not Travel to within 20 kilometers of the borders with Central African Republic, Chad, and Nigeria for any reason due to risk of terrorism, unrest, crime, kidnapping, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Crime Violent crime, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, and carjacking are common in Cameroon.
- This is especially true in the Southwest, Northwest, Far North, and North Regions
- the Adamawa Region north of the capital city of Ngaoundere
- and the East Region within 20 kilometers of the border with Central African Republic
- There is high risk of kidnapping by non-state armed groups in the Southwest and Northwest Regions
- There is high risk of kidnapping by terrorists in the Far North Region
- Petty crime is common in Cameroon, especially in Yaoundé and Douala
- Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes
Unrest Civil unrest is common, with the potential for political violence. Demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. They may disrupt transportation and other essential services. Health Medical services in Cameroon are limited. Adequate trauma and ambulance services are not widely available. Even a minor health issue may require medical evacuation at your expense. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Cameroon. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Kidnappings by terrorist organizations are a significant risk in the Far North Region. Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) IEDs exist in Cameroon, especially in the Northwest, Southwest, and Far North Regions. IEDs are unmarked and are actively used by terrorists in high-risk areas in the Far North Region.
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