Renting a car in Mombasa is a good idea if you want to travel outside of the city and explore the rest of the country. Driving in the city is pretty straightforward, the majority of the roads are tarmacked, and the Mombas-Nairobi Expressway connects Mombasa to the capital city of Nairobi and other parts of the country. It is not necessary to rent a car if strictly staying in the city as there are plenty of options for getting around.

There are official and unofficial taxis available in Mombasa, licensed taxis will have their papers stuck to the windshield. Always negotiate with the driver beforehand on a price for the ride, prices will depend upon the distance and time. There are shared taxis offered by Hakuna Mutatu Bus with journeys from Mombasa to the Kenyan Coast costing around Ksh 1000 for the 1.5-hour journey. The shared taxi is a door-to-door service which means you will be picked up from your accommodation/location and dropped directly to the next destination.

Uber, Taxify, Little, Mondo Ride, and MaraMoja is much cheaper options for a ride, simply download their app and get fares online.

Mombasa is the largest port in East Africa with 21 deep-water berths and two oil terminals. The port is connected by rail and road to the interior. There is little to no passenger service from the port, however, international cruise ships frequent the port.

There is a ferry route from Mombasa Island to the south coast operated by the Kenya Ferry Service from Kilindini and Mtongwe to Likoni on the south coast. The ferry has been deemed unsafe due to past accidents and incidents. There is a bridge being built to connect the Island to the coast.

Walking around the city is easily done on foot, walking around the city center, the beaches, and Mombasa Island will lead visitors to the main attractions. Connecting from the city center to the Island and other neighborhoods is not possible on foot, you will need to take some type of transportation to each destination, and then explore on foot.

Mombasa is considered a safe city, however, it is advised not to visit the city center at night. Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, use common sense, and keep your wallet out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Violent crime, theft, and pickpocketing are common throughout the country. Avoid traveling alone, especially at night. Corrupt police are a problem in Kenya, and traveling independently is not advised, we advise taking organized tours where a local will help navigate the city trouble-free.

There are some great shopping opportunities in Mombasa with great stores and options found in the old town, and the districts of Kinyozi, Mwembe, and Tayari. Old Town is known for its stores that sell silver jewelry and small pieces of handmade furniture in typical Swahili style. There are some good shopping malls in the city; City Mall Nyali, Coast Zanzibar Curio Shop, and Bombolulu Workshops to name a few. Bargaining is a must when shopping in Mombasa.

Some popular items to shop for include Mombasa Sandals found in many souvenir shops and from street vendors, the sandals are handmade from leather and old tires (for the soles) they are stylish and decorated with colorful beads and pieces of leather to create a variety of shapes and decorations. African fabrics sold in curio shops and markets in the city, lesos are colorful printed fabrics that are sold in pairs and traditionally worn by Swahili women. Kikois are typically striped or plaid and worn as shawls. Kitenge are decorated fabrics with colorful motifs for woman to wear around the waist, or tied on their head. Kanga is similar to kitenge, but decorated with a border running along the side and a written Swahili proverb. Kiondo or chondo are handmade handbags with a leather trim beautifully decorated with beads or shells.

There are two important workshops that sell their products directly to customers. The Bombolulu Workshops and Cultural Center sells jewelry, leather, and textile products as well as wooden sculptures created by over 150 artisans with physical handicaps who work there. The workshop was founded in 1969 and is a project of the Association for the Physically Disabled in Kenya. A popular tourist attraction. The Akamba Handicraft creates decorative and useful objects made from sculpted wood with carvings to make each one unique. See the artisans at work in the shop, and visit the showroom with a wide range of exhibits.

The official language spoken in Mombasa is Swahili. However, English is widely spoken, especially in the service industry, it is taught in schools and used in government, business, and the media. Many people speak fluent English, especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. We recommend getting a good Swahili/African-English guidebook and learning the basic questions like please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

Mombasa features a tropical climate with a major rain season between mid-April and late May and a minor wet season from October to November. Due to its location in the Southern Hemisphere, the summer in Mombasa boasts average daily temperatures between 83-92F degrees. The coastal city situated along the Indian Ocean is mostly hot and humid year round, monsoon winds come in to cool things off, and temperatures do drop considerably from July to October. June through September or December to January are some of the best times to visit.

The currency of Mombasa is the Kenya Shilling (KES), the US dollar is not accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the Shilling, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in Mombasa, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

The cosmopolitan city of Mombasa features a mixture of different cuisines with Arabic, Chinese, Swahili, Korean, Italian, European, and Indian influences. The city is known for its diverse cuisines. There are an abundance of restaurants and eateries to choose from in Mombasa including establishments serving up freshly caught seafood being that it is a massive seaport. You can find restaurants along the beaches, food stands, cafes, and bars dotted around the city worth checking out, and many offering beach, harbor, or ocean views. There are pizzerias and snack bars dotted around the city and beaches. Many local dishes include coconut, waly ya tui is basmati rice with coconut milk, kuku wa kupaka is chicken with coconut milk, and mahamri is coconut donuts with cardamom.

There are some great nightlife options in the city of Mombasa which is nicknamed “the village that never sleeps”. Partygoers will find a number of great bars, pubs, and entertainment spots where they can soak up the vibrant tropical nightlife. There are a large number of clubs in the city for those looking to dance and listen to music such as dance, house, international hip-hop, and pop music. The diverse nightlife options in the city cater to all tastes and preferences, from a casual night out to wild parties that last till dawn, Mombasa has it all. Check out the beachfront bars, high-end nightclubs, rooftop bars, and exclusive cocktail lounges.

In case of an emergency dial 112 or 999 for local police, an ambulance, or fire.

Hospitals: The Mombasa Hospital tel.254-722-203-755

Premier Hospital tel.254-415-011-500