Gambia: travel laws for tourists, topic by topic
Tough
Overall verdict for Gambia: Tough. Below, the risk level of each of the 23 topics that get travellers fined or arrested. The exact rule, thresholds and penalties are in the LawsTravels app.
Gambia: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
🎁 Free, no account: Drugs, Sex & dating, Weapons
The 23 topics at a glance
Banned or serious riskAllowed, with limitsRelaxed
💊Drugs🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💉MedicinesAllowed, with limits
🛡️Theft & scamsAllowed, with limits
🐾AnimalsRelaxed
🚬SmokingRelaxed
🍺AlcoholRelaxed
❤️Sex & dating🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
👕Dress codeAllowed, with limits
🕌ReligionAllowed, with limits
🚗DrivingAllowed, with limits
📷Photo & videoAllowed, with limits
🔪Weapons🎁 FreeBanned or serious risk
💶FinesAllowed, with limits
🛂Visa & customsRelaxed
🤝BehaviorAllowed, with limits
⛓️Jail riskBanned or serious risk
⚖️ExtraditionAllowed, with limits
📡Internet & VPNRelaxed
🚁DronesBanned or serious risk
💵Cash & currencyAllowed, with limits
🩺Vaccines & healthBanned or serious risk
💻Remote workAllowed, with limits
🗣️Politics & protestAllowed, with limits
Get the exact rules for your trip
This page gives you the level. The app gives you the rule, the numbers and the penalties for Gambia, offline, in 23 languages.
Gambia: read the 3 riskiest rules free →
How Gambia compares
With 6 of 23 topics flagged red, Gambia is more relaxed than 24 of the 41 other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (regional average: 7.3). Worldwide, Gambia ranks #51 of 148 for strictness (tied with 13 other countries).
What sets it apart
- Vaccines & health: flagged red here, while only 32 of 148 countries are this strict.
- Smoking: relaxed here, while 95 of 148 countries restrict or ban it.
What to watch most in Gambia
- The age of consent is the first thing to check, and it varies from 13 to 21 depending on the country and sometimes the region.
- Some countries criminalise sex outside marriage, which can affect an unmarried couple sharing a hotel room.
- Same-sex relations remain a criminal offence in around 60 countries, with sentences up to life in a handful.
Gambia at a glance
CapitalBanjul
CurrencyGambian Dalasi (GMD)
LanguageEnglish
Emergency number117 police / 116 ambulance
Driving sideRight
Mains voltage230 V
Calling code+220
Time zoneUTC+00:00
Plug typesG
Frequently asked questions
Is Gambia strict with tourists?
Overall verdict: Tough. 6 of 23 topics are flagged as banned or a serious risk (Drugs, Sex & dating, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Vaccines & health), 12 require caution.
What can get me fined or arrested in Gambia?
The strictest topics for travellers in Gambia are: Drugs, Sex & dating, Weapons, Jail risk, Drones, Vaccines & health. Each has specific thresholds and penalties, detailed in the app.
Where do I find the exact rules for Gambia?
In LawsTravels: open Gambia, each topic shows the level, the rule, the thresholds and what to do at customs, offline. 3 topics are free on every country; the other 20 unlock for the price of a coffee.
What is the emergency number in Gambia?
In Gambia, dial 117 police / 116 ambulance. Capital: Banjul. Currency: Gambian Dalasi (GMD). Main language: English.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Gambia?
In Gambia, traffic drives on the right. Mains voltage: 230 V. Calling code: +220. Time zone: UTC+00:00. Plug types: G.
Countries with the closest profile
Levels summarise publicly available legal information for travellers and are not legal advice. Laws change and enforcement varies: confirm with the embassy or consulate of your destination.
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