Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
commend an informal changer, though the rates may be similar to those the banks pro-
pose. Many hotels will accept UK pounds sterling.
There are no ATMs upcountry, and you're best off changing all you need at the coast.
OPENING HOURS
Banks
From 1pm to 4pm Monday to Thursday, with lunch break from 1pm to 2.30pm on
Friday.
Government offices
From 8am to 3pm or 4pm Monday to Thursday, 8am to 12.30pm on
Friday.
Restaurants
Lunch from 11am to 2.30pm, dinner from 6pm.
Shops and businesses
From 8.30am to 1pm and 2.30pm to 5.30pm Monday to Thursday;
from 8am until noon Friday and Saturday.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
As well as religious holidays, there are a few public holidays observed in The Gambia:
1 January
New Year's Day
18 February
Independence Day
1 May
Workers' Day
15 August
Assumption
SAFE TRAVEL
Serious crime is fairly rare in The Gambia, though muggings and petty theft do occur, par-
ticularly around the tourist centres. Avoid walking around alone after dark. Kids will often
hassle you for money or tours, but usually this is just a harmless annoyance. Beach boys
are another matter.
BEACH BOYS
A beach boy, also referred to as a
sai sai
or bumster, is a womaniser, a smooth operator, a charming hustler, a con
man or a dodgy mixture of all of these. These guys are usually young, often good-looking men, who approach
women (sometimes bluntly, sometimes with astonishing verbal skills) in towns, nightclubs, bars and particularly
on beaches. While some of them are fairly harmless (just don't get your heart broken), others can pull some pretty
sly jobs, involving sexual advances, tricking you out of money or downright stealing.
Use the same yardsticks you would at home before getting involved. It's best to ignore these guys completely.
They might respond with verbal abuse, but it's all hot air.
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