What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Central African Republic, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
No numbered levels
Updated 28 May 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Addition of information about a declaration of an Ebola outbreak in DRC on 15 May (‘Health page’).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in the Central African Republic” of the UK government's travel advice for Central African Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Telephone: 117 (ambulance, fire, police)
or
Ambulance: 610600
Fire: 118
Military police (‘gendarmerie’): 2161 2200
Emergency numbers are unreliable in the Central African Republic. The emergency services are unlikely to respond outside Bangui.
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Central African Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
You must always carry ID by law, such as a certified copy of your passport or a residence permit. The police can detain you if you do not have ID with you.
Buying diamonds
It is only legal to buy diamonds or precious stones through government-authorised agents.
Illegal drugs penalties
There are severe penalties for drug use and possession. If convicted, you can expect heavy fines and a long jail sentence.
Using cameras
You often need permission to take photos in public places. You may be detained, fined and have your camera confiscated for photographing government property, uniformed law enforcement officers or military installations and personnel.
It is not permitted to take photographs the authorities think damage the country’s image (for example, street children and people with disabilities).
You can get a permit for more serious photography from the Ministry of Tourism.
LGBT+ travellers
While homosexuality is not illegal, same-sex relationships are not widely accepted in Central African society. LGBT+ travellers may face arrest for “public expressions of love”.
It is easier to exchange euros for Central African francs rather than US dollars. You can exchange traveller’s cheques at banks.
There are very few ATMs. Most places, including hotels, do not accept international credit or debit cards.
Travelling with medicines
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Central African Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Central African Republic, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCE
Voltage220/380 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
25 °C (76 °F)
Lows
16 °C (61 °F)
Highs
33 °C (92 °F)
Rain
7 mm (0.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
February
Average
27 °C (80 °F)
Lows
19 °C (65 °F)
Highs
35 °C (95 °F)
Rain
15 mm (0.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
March
Average
28 °C (82 °F)
Lows
20 °C (69 °F)
Highs
35 °C (95 °F)
Rain
55 mm (2.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
April
Average
27 °C (81 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
33 °C (92 °F)
Rain
99 mm (3.9 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
May
Average
27 °C (80 °F)
Lows
21 °C (70 °F)
Highs
32 °C (90 °F)
Rain
147 mm (5.8 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
25 °C (77 °F)
Lows
20 °C (69 °F)
Highs
30 °C (86 °F)
Rain
167 mm (6.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
July
Average
25 °C (76 °F)
Lows
20 °C (68 °F)
Highs
29 °C (84 °F)
Rain
202 mm (8.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
August
Average
24 °C (76 °F)
Lows
20 °C (67 °F)
Highs
29 °C (84 °F)
Rain
236 mm (9.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
September
Average
24 °C (76 °F)
Lows
19 °C (67 °F)
Highs
30 °C (85 °F)
Rain
219 mm (8.6 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very wet month on average: waterproof jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag.
October
Average
25 °C (77 °F)
Lows
19 °C (67 °F)
Highs
30 °C (87 °F)
Rain
183 mm (7.2 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
November
Average
25 °C (77 °F)
Lows
18 °C (64 °F)
Highs
33 °C (91 °F)
Rain
37 mm (1.4 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
December
Average
24 °C (76 °F)
Lows
16 °C (61 °F)
Highs
33 °C (91 °F)
Rain
7 mm (0.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Central African Republic.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.