Lome Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Lome.
Togo's public hospitals are backed by several private clinics in Lomé that match international standards for basic emergencies and routine care.
Clinique Bénédicte (Agoè-Nyivé, east of downtown) and Clinique Providence (near the beach hotels) are expat favorites. Bring cash or international insurance cards.
Pharmacie Arc-en-Ciel on Rue du Commerce and Pharmacie La Cathedrale opposite Marché des Féticheurs stock imported antimalarials, rehydration salts, and sunscreen. Prescription labels are in French.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended because even private clinics demand cash up front.
- ✓ Pack a small first-aid kit with rehydration salts and motion-sickness tablets for zemidjan rides.
- ✓ Ask for bottled water even in mid-range Lomé restaurants. Ice cubes are often made from tap water.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Watch for snatch-and-grab of phones, wallets, and loose jewelry around Grand Marché, Lomé-Tokoin Airport arrival hall, and beach vendors near Hotel Sarakawa.
Upset stomach and occasional giardiasis come from unfiltered water or roadside sauces.
Zemidjan motorcycles dart between lanes. Seatbelts in taxis are often missing.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
A vendor ties a bright string around your wrist on Lomé Beach, then insists on payment for the unasked-for souvenir.
Money changers near Grand Marché count CFA francs at lightning speed, then slip a few 10 000 CFA notes back into their stack.
At Lomé-Tokoin Airport arrivals, drivers quote triple the city rate to new arrivals.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Use orange-plate taxis for longer trips. Agree on fare before entering.
- • Snap a photo of the driver ID on the zemidjan windscreen in case you forget a bag.
- • Leave flashy watches in the room when you head for Lomé nightlife along Rue Kégué.
- • Share live location with a friend when moving between beach bars after 10 p.m.
- • Carry small CFA notes so you don't flash large bills at Grand Marché spice stalls.
- • Keep the camera in a zipped pouch. Ask before shooting fetish stalls at Akodesséwa.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women traveling alone feel at ease in central Lomé during daylight. Yet evenings call for modest dress and company.
- → Sit in the back seat of taxis and confirm the route on Google Maps to dodge unwanted detours.
- → Choose cafés on Boulevard du Mono with visible female staff when dining alone.
Same-sex relations are illegal in Togo, carrying possible fines and imprisonment, though tourist arrests are uncommon.
- → Reserve twin-bed rooms at international hotels like Onomo or Ibis to sidestep questions.
- → Avoid LGBTQ+-related discussions with zemidjan drivers or market vendors.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Cash up front is standard at Lomé clinics. Insurance reimbursement is essential for bigger bills or emergency evacuation.
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