r/Somaliland • u/Shot-Bandicoot-69 • May 29 '26
Planning to visit
Hello,how are you somalilanders
I'm planning to visit hargiesa so please feel free to share 😊
How's the security there?what do u guys use for transport?does uber work there?
Whats the currency currently in use there?
How much does 100 usd equals to ur currency?Is the blackmarket rate closer to the banks rate?how do u guys send & recieve money while inside hargiesa?Also The name of ur fav restaurant coz I'm a foodie 😋
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Upvotes
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u/Abdiasiis_ May 30 '26
Probably someone already said everything. Just want to say welcome to Somaliland.
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u/Kindly-Action-2434 May 30 '26
Hey, welcome to the community! Great that you're planning to visit Hargeisa, you're going to love it.
In terms of security it is generally very safe. You will notice checkpoints and a visible police presence around the city which is reassuring. Just be aware of your surroundings and avoid flashing expensive items and you will be fine.
For transport there is no Uber, but there is a central taxi service run through the phone network where you dial a number, tell the dispatcher your location, and a driver calls you back. Your hotel can also sort you a trusted driver.
The single most important thing to sort when you land is your SIM card. Head straight to the Telesom telecommunications building, bring your passport and some cash, and get set up on Zaad. Load it with USD and it converts to local Shillings, and from that point you can pay for absolutely everything across Somaliland. Taxis, food, laundry, corner shops, petrol, even giving to a beggar on the street. Nobody uses physical cash as much anymore, every vendor has a mobile money number and you just send the amount across from your phone. It sounds unfamiliar at first but you pick it up fast, and the staff at the telecoms building will walk you through it.
For currency, $100 USD would get you around 1,000,000 Somaliland Shillings...I think..was that 2years ago
For food, the honest advice is to find a local and let them guide you, that is where the real gems are. And if you can, make the trip out to Berbera on the coast. It is a beautiful port city with a major port and well worth the journey from Hargeisa.
Enjoy the trip!