Medical facilities are very limited. Nouakchott boasts the country's best medical facilities with many doctors, most in private practices or clinics, and plenty of chemists stocking most existing French medicines. Health insurance, to include cover for emergency repatriation, is essential.
One of travel's greatest joys is experiencing different cultures through food. But, paradoxically, the ease of global travel is putting local cuisines at risk. As businesses begin to cater to travellers who expect familiar tastes, less mainstream flavours may drop right off the menu.