Transport, banks, visa. These are the frequently asked questions (FAQ) from our guests. If you want to ask something you can’t find on this page, feel free to contact us!
Information
Money
The local currency is Ouguiya (MRU). The rate is about 40 MRU for 1 euro.
Old or new?
Note that the money system changed a couple of years ago, they took off one zero of the old banknotes. So an old banknote of 1000 ouguiya is now the equivalent of a new banknote of 100 ouguiya. Old banknotes are no longer in circulation. But local people still tend to talk in old prices. For instance they’ll say a bread will cost hundred ouguiya, but it means ten new ouguiya. So in case of doubt always check with people: are we talking old or new ouguiyas?
ATM’s
You can find them in all major cities. In Atar there are three banks with an ATM: BMCI and BAMIS (note that they accept VISA cards only, nothing else) and Banque Populaire de Mauritanie (BPM). This is the only bank in Atar that also accepts Mastercard.
Chinguetti does not have a bank or an ATM.
Transport by air
Direct flights Paris-Atar
Direct charter flights from Paris to Atar and back, once a week, every Saturday from 21st of December 2024 until the 8th of March 2025. See www.point-afrique.com and click on ‘Vols Charters’ to book a flight. You can also contact us to book this direct charter flight for you.
From and to Atar there are no other flights.
Regular flights
Nouakchott: daily flights from/to Europe and Africa, regular flights from/to Las Palmas.
Nouadhibou: regular flights from/to Las Palmas, Nouakchott and Zouerate.
Public transport
Comfortable and regular minibus services
Nouakchott-Atar
You can find many minibus services from the capital Nouakchott to Atar on a daily basis. And also from Atar back to Nouakchott.
Nouakchott-Atar or Atar-Nouakchott, duration approximately 5-6 hours
Departure time: 7.30 hrs and 15.30 hrs (in both directions)
Other routes
There are also minibus services on the following routes:
Atar-Choum-Zouerate
Nouakchott-Nouadhibou-Dakhla
Nouakchott-Nema
Collective taxis (mostly 4WD’s)
In Atar you can find collective taxis to Chinguetti, Ouadane, Terjit, Azougui and Tidjikja. Most of them are fourwheeldrive cars. They run on an irregular basis, usually they depart when the car is filled up with passengers.
Train
Iron ore train
Traveling on the famous iron ore train is the ultimate adventure! It’s one of the longest (up to 2,5 km) and heaviest trains in the world. In the past you could travel for free in the empty ore wagons or on top of the loaded wagons. Since the beginning of 2024 this is officially forbidden. But there is a passenger wagon you can hop on to (paid). Daily trains run from Zouerate to Nouadhibou and back, stopping at Choum.
Tourist train
For more luxury you can take the tourist train, probably the shortest train in the world. You’ll cross with the long iron ore train several times. Watch the video below (Train du Désert). For more information you can contact us.
Visa
Visas are delivered at all official landborders and at all airports. It costs 55 euro (cash!!!) and is valid for one month. Make sure your passport is still valid for at least six months.
Prolongation
Prolongation of visas is possible at the airport in Atar, but only during the season of the direct charter flights, on saturday mornings (21 december 2024 – 8 march 2025).
Make sure your old visa hasn’t expired yet and check two days before the arrival of the flight at the État Civil in town.
Car insurance
In Atar you can also make a prolongation of custom and insurance papers for cars.
Medical care
The climate being dry and healthy, mosquitos are without malaria, no vaccinations are required. There are simple, quite modern hospitals in Atar and Chinguetti and of course in Nouakchott.
Social projects
Since 1998 Bab Sahara has been deeply committed to the community of Atar and especially to the people of our neighbourhood Edebay.
We provided first aid, supported local schools, and organized waste clean-up efforts.
Afterschool learning
Our contributions include building a local dispensary, and the construction of a pedagogical centre in one of the poorest neighbourhoods of the city, where children really need afterschool learning.
Enfants de Désert
We also work with organizations like Enfants du Désert, offering care and education to children from poor families and single mothers.
Join us in making a difference!
More questions?
If you want to ask something you can’t find on this page,
feel free to contact us!