Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While traveling in Mauritania, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, for example, you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Mauritania, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going.

Religious norms: Islamic ideals and beliefs in the country encourage conservative dress and behavior. Sleeved and below-the-knee garments are recommended, particularly when traveling in areas not frequented by Westerners. The Mauritanian government prohibits the printing and distribution of non-Islamic religious materials, although possession of these materials is legal.

The Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania recognizes Islam as the sole religion of its citizens and the state. Religious freedom is restricted under the constitution and other laws and policies. The Mauritanian Penal Code criminalizes all affronts against Islamic modesty and morals and penalties may range from fines to the death penalty. Participation in Christian gatherings and activities that have not been authorized by the Mauritanian government is illegal. Apostasy is punishable by death.

Proselytizing in Mauritania is illegal and may lead to deportation, arrest, prosecution, or incarceration.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Mauritanian customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the temporary import or export of items such as firearms, narcotics, alcoholic drinks, and pork products. Passengers caught attempting to bring alcoholic drinks to the airport may be subject to immediate fines, confiscation, and/or incarceration. Contact the Embassy of Mauritania in Washington, DC, for specific information regarding customs regulations. Please see our Customs Information.

Local currency: The local currency is the ouguiya, and it may not be imported or exported. Airport customs officials have confiscated ouguiya from travelers trying to leave the country with notes. Credit cards can be used only at a few hotels in the capital, Nouakchott, and in the northwestern city of Nouadhibou. However, credit card fraud is a problem, so travelers are strongly advised to pay hotel bills in cash. ATMs are available in Nouakchott and other large cities, but are not secure. Major foreign currencies are changeable at banks and numerous currency exchanges; however, this service is not always available without advance notice or prior arrangement. There is a risk of receiving fraudulent bank notes even from banks, which often do not have the security means to detect false bank notes.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: There are no laws that protect lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons from discrimination. Under sharia law, as applied in the country, consensual same-sex sexual activity between men is punishable by death if witnessed by four individuals, and such activity between women is punishable by three months to two years in prison and a fine of 5,000 to 60,000 ouguiya . There were no criminal prosecutions during the year. There was no evidence of societal violence, societal discrimination, or systematic acts of government discrimination based on sexual orientation. Members of the LGBT community were rarely identified or discussed, likely because of the severity of the stigma and legal penalties for having been labeled as such. There were no organizations advocating for sexual orientation or gender-identity rights, but there were no legal impediments to the registration of such groups. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Mauritania, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2013. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Mauritania, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States.