Language: French and English are the official languages, although French is more commonly spoken and is the language of business. There are also numerous other African dialects.
Currency: The official currency is the
Central Africa CFA Franc (XAF), which is divided into 100 centimes. The CFA franc is tied to the Euro at a rate of EUR1 = CFA 655.957, or CFA 100 = EUR0.152449. Cash is easier to exchange than travelers cheques, and Euros are by far the easiest currency to change for CFA francs. Credit cards have limited acceptance and ATMS are few and far between.
Time: Local time is GMT
+1.
Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin attachment plugs are in use.
Communications: The international dialing code for
Cameroon is +237. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0027 for
South Africa). City codes are not required. International phone calls can be made from CAMTEL offices. A GSM 900 network provides cellphone coverage mainly in
Yaoundé,
Malabo and the southwest of the country. Internet cafes are available in the main towns.
Duty Free: Travelers to Cameroon do not have to pay duty on 400 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 5 packs tobacco; 1 bottle of alcohol; and 5 bottles perfume. Entry to the country with sporting guns has to be accompanied by a license.
Tourist OfficeSOCATOUR Tourist Board, Yaoundé: +237 223 3219.
Embassies
Cameroon Embassy,
Washington DC,
United States: +1 202 265 8790.
Cameroon
High Commission,
London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7727 0771.
Cameroon High Commission,
Ottawa,
Canada: +1 613 236 1522.
Cameroon Consulate,
Sydney, Australia: +61 (0)2 9989 8414.
Cameroon High Commission,
Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 362 4731.
United States Embassy, Yaoundé: +237 2220 1500.
British High Commission, Yaoundé: +237 2222 0545.
Canadian High Commission, Yaoundé (also responsible for
Australia): +237 2223 2311.
South African High Commission, Yaoundé: +237 2220 0438.
