Travel to Petite Cote

Explore

Petite Cote, Senegal

Located south of Dakar, the Petite Cote is the biggest holiday resort in West Africa. Saly, located 11 miles from the Senegalese capital, is the tourist centre. From the airport of Dakar (Yoff), the shuttles take about one hour and a half to get you there.

The seaside resort of Saly, extends over 2.5 miles of fine, sandy beach. Quite modern, the architecture is pleasant to look at. The indigenous village of Saly Portudal is enclosed in the centre of the resort and tries to preserve its authenticity despite the amount of tourism. Five miles to the south, you will discover the small town of Mbour, a typical fishing port with its outdoor African fish smoke chambers and its market. Despite the proximity of Saly, provincial Africa and its deep ancestral customs are very strong. Mbour is a small town crowded with carriages, goats and merchants, with dilapidated roads and cars from another age.

For its part, Saly offers all the conveniences of a modern seaside resort. In addition to the activities offered by hotels, it is possible to take trips by 4x4, quad bike, motorcycle, on camels and on horseback and the bush is closer than you think! You will also find several tennis courts, three big game fishing centres, a heliport and an airfield, a go-karting track and all sorts of seaside activities.

To the south of Saly, there is a shopping mall with various shops (jewellers, pharmacy, hairdressers, massage parlours, clubs, a small casino, car rental agencies, Internet cafes and restaurants) while in the indigenous village and to the north of Saly there are handicrafts, fashion, grocery stores, bakeries, jewellery shops and both Senegalese and international restaurants.

Decent sized resort, not too overwhelming
The small, local shops and restaurants
The numerous sporting activities on offer

cons

The lack of authenticity
The "harassment" from shopkeepers

Weather Petite Cote - choosing the best time to go

Senegal - Petite Cote

All overall indicators 92/100 Excellent
Temperature indicators 98/100 Excellent
Bad weather indicators 100/100 Excellent
Sunbathing indicators 70/100 Good
Swimming indicators 96/100 Excellent
Wind indicators 98/100 Excellent
Temperature indicatorsHot / Optimal :
The maximum temperature is <24°, temperature felt between 30°C and 33°C.
Bad weather indicatorsDry / Optimal :
Little or no rain (less than 1.5mm per day).
Sunbathing indicatorsGood weather :
Mostly sunny (60% to 80% sunshine).
Swimming indicatorsVery pleasant / Optimal :
High air temperature (>24°C), high sea temperature (>24°C), light to moderate winds (between 7 mph and 12 mph).
Wind indicatorsLight breeze / Optimal :
Optimal comfort: optimal wind speed (between 7 mph and 12 mph) in a warm environment (>24°C).

Weather finder : Petite Cote / May Annual weather finder : Petite Cote

See all spots

Visit Petite Cote

To see

The tourist centre of the Petite Coast, the seaside resort of Saly, extends over 2.5 miles of fine, sandy beach. Quite modern, the architecture is pleasant to look at. The indigenous village of Saly Portudal is enclosed in the centre of the resort and tries to preserve its authenticity despite the amount of tourism. Five miles to the south, you will discover the small town of Mbour, a typical fishing port with its outdoor African fish smoke chambers and its market. Despite the proximity of Saly, provincial Africa and its deep ancestral customs are very strong. Mbour is a small town crowded with carriages, goats and merchants, with dilapidated roads and cars from another age.

More

To do

Despite Saly's dearth of authentic attractions, hotels nevertheless offer an astonishing variety of excursions. Numerous tours into the bush by 4x4 and quad bike are organised. They also include a visit to the Banguia Reserve (about 9 miles from Saly). You can also discover the beautiful lagoon of La Somone - coupled with a visit to the village of Toubab Dialaw, or spend a day in the charming village of Joal-Fadiouth, the capital of the ethnic group Serere and entirely built from seashells. Take the opportunity to visit the Rose Lake, an amazing miracle of nature and the Sine Saloum Delta, one of the major attractions of central Senegal with its swamps and dwellings full of animals, a destination not to be missed!

More

To think about

You should get yourself vaccinated against yellow fever and receive anti-malaria treatment before travelling to Senegal. Trousers and long boots are recommended for bushwalking. The speed limit is 15 mph in the national parks.

More
To avoid

Do not swim in the rivers and only drink sterilised or bottled water. As for shopping, be vigilant! Do not buy bags, shoes and belts made of crocodile skin so as to discourage poaching.

More

To try

In the indigenous village to the north and south of Saly, you will find Senegalese and international restaurants. The national dish is the tiep-bou-diene, rice made flavoursome with vegetables and fish. Meat (beef, lamb, chicken) is served in a peanut sauce (mafe) or in a marinade (yassa). By the seaside, try the delicious seafood like oysters, prawns and lobster. Out in the bush, taste the game, the warthog in particular. The exotic fruits are varied and excellent such as mango, pawpaw, soursop, guava and ditakh. As for drinks, have a taste of bissap, palm wine or millet beer.

More

To bring back

There are many tourist shops on the main street of Saly Portudal. To the south of Saly, a shopping mall has various craft shops and jewellers. In the indigenous village and the north of Saly there are crafts, fashion, grocery stores and jewellers. Hand-painted fabric can be used to make beautiful clothes, the tailors and dressmakers here are very efficient! You can also bring back gold or silver filigreed jewels, wooden masks or statues, wickerwork (baskets, trays), wooden dishes, copper statuettes and native paintings. Shops are open from 8:00am to 12:00pm and from 4:00pm to 7:30pm on week days.

More