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Pointe Noire is a city in Republic of the Congo.

[edit] Understand

Pointe Noire is the second city of the Republic of the Congo. It is also a major sea port and a tourist destination. The town has a very French feel to it, because of the colonial past and the still large number of French expatriates and tourists.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Pointe Noire is served by local carriers and international airlines such as Air France. The airport is not far from the town or beach hotels. A taxi will cost about CFA2000 to the town.

[edit] By train

It is possible from Brazzaville, but not recommended for safety and security reasons.

[edit] By car

Roads inside the town are in good condition. However, outside of the town they may be impassible to anything less than a 4 wheel drive vehicle. It is very safe to travel around with a taxi. Taxis in PNR are shared so if you are in a hurry tell him to take you straight where you want to go, and pay around 700-1000 XAF. If you take other people from the road you pay ~ 150-350 XAF, depending on the length. If you use a taxi more than 1 hour you will have to pay 3000 XAF for that hour. Do not go outside of PNR without a known driver and a 4WD. They are building the road from Brazaville to Point Noire it will be finish by 2010. Driving from one to the other takes about 1-2 days.

[edit] By bus

[edit] By boat

[edit] Get around

Taxis are easy to find and are relatively inexpensive. Most journeys around town will cost no more than CFA1000. It is OK to walk around the main parts of town.

[edit][add listing] See

[edit][add listing] Do

[edit] Learn

[edit] Work

[edit][add listing] Buy

Some hotels will accept payment in Euros or US Dollars. There are also a few money exchange offices. Changing Euros or dollars is easy. Very poor rates are given for British pounds. Artisan village is located on the Port Side Beach (next to Le Derrik). Prices will differ for every customer. It is ok to take pictures and send local trustworthy people to buy in your place as they will get at least half of the price. Be careful when buying wood statues as they need to be fumigated for bugs.

[edit][add listing] Eat

• Citronnelle, Opposite Atlantic Palace Hotel. Typical French patisserie, which has some excellent patisseries, cakes and fresh orange juice  edit
• La Cite, Taxi will take you there. Typical Bakery that also serves Swarm, Sandwiches and Kebab, good prices, Swarm is around XAF 2000, try the Chocolate Bread (Pain de Chocloat) ~ 500 XAF  edit
• Kactus, Charles de Gaule crossing (Across from Congo Credit Bank), ☎ 945025 or 5645025. 10-22. Home delivery and also sit-in restaurant. Very good pizza and Hamburger. Ordering at home will cost you extra 2000XAF for shipment, they work very fast in about 20 minutes you have it at your door  edit
• Le Derrick, Port Side Beach. 11:30-15:00 / 19:00-22:00. Best place in town for eating, prices are very good about 5000XAF will give you the daily menu, It is mostly for Oil Industry People, but anyone can eat there. Recommended.  edit
• Gaspar. Very good fish and chicken on a stick, French type on the sidewalk restaurant, very fresh and tasty food. Do not go to bathroom since it is dirty, chicken is clean.  edit

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

[edit][add listing] Drink

Hotels are generally quite expensive, especially near the beach. May of the hotels will not accept credit cards.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Hotels is Pointe Noire are very expensive given the standard of accommodation. Also, not many accept credit cards.

[edit] Budget

[edit] Mid-range

[edit] Splurge

• Palm Beach Hotel, On the beach. Reasonably good hotel with pool. Right next to the beach. Rooms in the old block start at CFA80,000. nearly double that in the new block. WiFi is available in some areas - CFA2000 per hour. CFA80000.  edit
• Twiga Hotel, (On the beach), ☎ 6584747 / 6574848, [1].  edit

[edit] Contact

[edit] Stay safe

Unlike many African cities, it is quite safe to walk in the main parts of the city and the beach area. There are relatively few beggars.

[edit] Cope

Credit cards are not accepted in many places - only the very best hotels. Internationally linked ATM's are also not too common. Credit du Congo have a few branches with machines that will accept foreign cards.

There are several FM radio stations (all French language), including RFI on 93.2MHz.

Not many people in the town speak English.

[edit] Get out

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