Lagos, known as the African Giant, is one of my favorite cities in the world! The city is home to the third-highest number of millionaires in Africa and the 4th most populous city globally!
You can feel the electrifying energy the moment you touch down. However, the first time I visited, I didn’t know what to expect and how to prepare, but after visiting several times, I learned a thing or two. In this detailed post, I am sharing the ultimate Lagos, Nigeria travel guide for first-time visitors to help you plan your trip like a pro! If you’re considering planning a trip, then not to worry. I’ve got you covered.
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This is the second post in the Nigeria travel series. Here’s the complete 10-part series:
Nigeria Travel Series
Bucket List: 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Nigeria At Least Once
Travel Guide: The Ultimate Lagos, Nigeria Travel Guide: For First-Time Visitors
Food: 9 Popular Foods To Eat In Nigeria
Packing Guide: The Complete Packing List for Your Trip to Nigeria
Travel Tips: 13 Things You Need To Know Before Visiting Lagos, Nigeria
Inspiration: 15 Photos That Will Make You Want To Visit Nigeria
Tourist Visa: 5 Tips for U.S. Citizens Applying for a Nigerian Tourist Visa
Lagos: 11 Best Things To do in Lagos
My Story: Homegoing: Reuniting with My Biological Family
Travel Itinerary: How to spend 5-day in Lagos, Nigeria
The Complete Lagos, Nigeria Guide For First-Time Visitors: Everything You Need to Know
What to Expect
Lagos, nicknamed the city that never sleeps, is a bustling coastal hub for business, entertainment, fashion, music, and nightlife. The city is divided into three districts: the mainland, greater Lagos, and the islands. The mainland is connected to the islands by three bridges: Eko, Carter, and Third mainland, the most famous of the three bridges in Lagos.
Best Time to Visit
Lagos has two main seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season typically begins in April and lasts through mid-November. You can expect heavy downpours of rain with flash floods. November to March is the dry season with little to no precipitation, and well, I won’t lie to you, really hot.
The best time to visit is between November and February, the weather is less humid and the temperatures cool down due to harmattan. Harmattan occurs from December to February, with northeastern winds coming off the coast of the Atlantic coast of Africa. December, also called dutty December, is my favorite time to visit!
Language
English is the official language, but most people speak Pidgin, an English-based creole language across Nigeria. Nigeria has over 250 local languages. Major languages include Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Fulfulde, Ibibio, and Kanuri.
Time Zone
The Time zone in Lagos is GMT+1; WAT (West African Time). The country does not have daylight saving time.
Currency
Naira is the official currency of Nigeria. The symbol for Naira is ₦, and the code is NGN. The Naira is divided into 100 kobo. Exchange rates tend to fluctuate, and I recommend downloading the XE app or checking the website to ensure you get the best rates for that particular day.
Credit Cards
Just like everywhere else, cash is king! Credit cards are accepted everywhere. However, I highly recommend paying everything in cash if you can avoid it. I am not saying this will happen to you, but using your credit card may risk fraudulent activities.
ATMs
Most credit and debit cards are accepted in the city’s more touristy areas. Nonetheless, using your credit card or debit card at an ATM may put you at first of fraud or scam.
Cash
I recommend paying for whatever you need with cash. If you’re traveling from the U.S., bring money in denominations of $100 bills with you to get the best exchange rate. During my first trip, I brought denominations of $20 and was encouraged not to use the money as I wouldn’t get the best rate. I also recommend bringing enough cash, especially if you visit Lagos between December and February.
Plugs
The standard voltage in Nigeria is 230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. If your standard voltage in your home country is between 220-240V, you will have no problem using electronic appliances in Nigeria.
I never leave home without my trusty universal adapter! If you don’t have an adapter, then I highly recommend the universal adapter, it has dual USB charging ports, making it easy for you to charge all your devices at once, and detachable plugs come in handy!
Safety
I owe it to tell you the truth and the reality of Lagos and what to expect, especially when it comes to staying safe. I will not lie to you and say Lagos is the safest city in the world.
There’s no such place that exists! I will be honest and say that the country’s ongoing political and economic instability invites additional crimes such as pickpocketing, muggings, and even kidnappings. I don’t share this to scare you but for you to be aware and minimize the risk.
Here are things to do to keep safe some safety tips to keep in mind:
- Hire a driver – Trust me, having a driver in Lagos will get you anywhere you want to go. The driver is familiar with the area and can ensure to get you to point A to point B.
- Get a guide – Besides having a driver, getting a guide, family, or friend from the area will also come in handy. After all, they live in the city and can make sure you don’t run into any unwanted issues.
- Pay attention to your surroundings – Nigerians are the ultimate people watchers! Even when trying to be subtle and blend in, you will inevitably be spotted as a foreigner but being aware of your surroundings and who is watching you will go a long way! It’s a dead giveaway that you’re a tourist! I wouldn’t stop and look around unless you are in a museum or a touristy area.
- Watch what you say in public – Speaking loudly in public is not advised. While Nigerians are boisterous people, as a visitor, be mindful of what you say and how your voice carries. Don’t talk about how much money you have or how you’ll be poppin’ bottles at the club that night. Just don’t do it.
The moment I opened my mouth in a grocery store, all eyes were on me as if I had s stolen something! Then, my cousin told me not to speak and let him do the talking. Even in Ubers or taxis, if you’re traveling around with a family or friend who lives in the city, let them do the talking and enjoy the ride!
- Limit your night movement – Depending on where you are staying in Lagos, limit your nighttime outings. The nightlife in Lagos is unmatched! Streetlights are limited in some parts of the city. Try not to move around too much. If you’re staying in Lekki or Victoria Islands, I recommend traveling by private car and only stopping until you get to your destination.
- Be polite to security – If you’re staying in a gated community or hotel in Lagos, be sure to greet your security personnel. It goes a long way to ensure you recognize them, especially seeing they are protecting your belongings.
- Meet new friends in public – Meeting new people in Lagos comes with the territory, but I always like to be safe than sorry. If you make new friends, meet them in a public setting.
- Trust your instinct – I can’t emphasize this tip enough; if you feel something is off, chances are something is! It’s worth reacting to it instead of waiting until it’s too late. The same applies to traveling and goes back to being aware of your surroundings.
- Be careful where you change your money – The money-changing process can be tricky, and if you don’t know where to go or have someone local to help you change your money, you may run the risk of being scammed. To avoid this, I recommend changing your money over if you’re staying in a hotel or with a family or friend who usually has a go-to person to get money exchanged.
For updated safety advisory, check out the Travel.State.Gov for the latest information for travelers.
Getting to Lagos
All international flights to Lagos from the United States arrive at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport. Delta, United Airways, British Airways, KLM, Qatar, Emirates, Air France, and Lufthansa are some major airlines flying into the city. I’ve flown with United, Qatar, and KLM. Out of the three, I prefer Qatar airlines. I find the customer service and overall flight experience to be the most pleasant, and I don’t mind the layover in Doha!
The Murtala Muhammed Domestic Airport in Ikeja is your best bet for domestic flights around the country. We flew from the domestic airport to visit family in the southeastern countryside.
Visa Requirements
All U.S. citizens must have a valid passport for six months and proof of Polio and Yellow Fever vaccinations to enter Nigeria. Also, you must have a visa issued from a Nigerian Embassy or the consulate before traveling.
Trust me, don’t assume you won’t need a visa because you will. In my experience, I will be the first to tell you that the visa process can be frustrating and somewhat painful. Read here to find out how to apply for your tourist visa as a U.S. citizen.
Medication
Make sure to bring the necessary medication with you and some in case you need to stay in the country longer than expected. Here’s a list of additional prescriptions you will need to get from your doctor beforehand:
- Anti-Malaria Pills: Malaria is caused by mosquito bites, and to prevent and treat yourself, here are my two recommendations:
- Option #1 Malarone (Atovaquone/Proguanil: This pill you take daily, starting 1-2 days before your trip and continuing for seven days after leaving the area with malaria.
- Option #2 Chloroquine: This pill you take weekly, starting 1-2 weeks before your trip and continuing for four weeks after returning home.
- Anti-diarrhea medication: Anything over the counter, like Immodium or loperamide, works just fine. I recommend bringing azithromycin in case you experience severe traveler’s diarrhea.
- Antibiotics: Be sure to ask your doctor for a prescription of antibiotics to take with you just in case you
Note: The anti-malaria pills are strong, and you may experience extreme fatigue, increased anxiety, headaches, and dehydration. I share all the side effects I listed above and vivid dreams. I felt awful and stopped taking the pills altogether. While I wouldn’t recommend not taking the tablets altogether, if this happens to you, try taking the medication every other day and then reassess how you feel.
Where to Stay
Accommodations in Lagos vary drastically. If you’re not planning on staying with local friends and family, I recommend staying in the following areas: Victoria Islands (VI), Ikoyi, or Lekki. These three districts are considered the most popular and stylish parts of Lagos.
You will find many restaurants to choose from, the city’s best nightclubs and lounges, and some of the best attractions and landmarks. Note the hotels in this part of the city can be on the pricey side. Check booking.com for the best hotel sections that suit your budget and preference.
We stayed here in Lekki and loved every minute of it. However, the next time, we plan to stay in Victoria Islands, closer to the restaurants and nightlife. Alternatively, if you’re traveling with a group, then it might be more advantageous to stay at an Airbnb.
Getting Around Lagos
Local buses and taxis
Local buses are the cheapest way to get around but not the most comfortable option. If you decide to take local buses and taxis, be sure to agree on prices before you start your trip.
Car hire
Cars are the best way to get around the city. We used Bolt and Uber, ride-hailing apps. These apps worked pretty efficiently, and at the end of our trips, we exchanged numbers with drivers so we could contact them for future rides. If you meet a driver, you vibe with, get their contact info and coordinate work with the driver in the future.
Alternatively, you can ask your hotel to arrange a car hire if you’re staying in a hotel.
Motorcycles
While these are the quickest means to buzz around the city, I wouldn’t recommend this transformation method because it looks hazardous. Given Lagos’s chaotic congestion and traffic, I would stick to cars.
Public transport
The frenzy of traffic and chronic congestion makes it tough to travel around the city efficiently, especially during rush hours. So if you’re visiting Lagos with family or friends, stick with them; they know the best way to get around the city.
Top Things to Do & See
Lagos is a remarkable city with lots of cultural and fun activities you can’t miss. Here are a few of my favorite sights I discovered during my last trip.
Explore the Lekki Conservation Centre
Founded by the Nigerian Conservation Foundation, this incredible coastal ecosystem sanctuary is nestled on the Lekki Penisula, next to the Lekki Lagoon. The wetland reserve is home to the longest suspended canopy walkway in Africa!
Visit Nike Art Gallery
Put aside at least two hours and check out this fantastic free art gallery! Founded by the illustrious artist and designer Oyenike Monica Okundaye, the Nike Art Centre is a 4-floor gallery filled with the most stunning and eye-catching paintings, sculptures, textiles, and the largest collections of African arts and crafts.
Enjoy Dinner at Shiro Restaurant & Bar
This super cute Pan-Asian restaurant and bar at Landmark Centre is ideal for a special dinner or hot date. From the moment you walk into the restaurant, you’re surrounded by an inviting and captivating ambiance that makes you want to walk around before sitting down to dinner! The menu offers a variety of tasty cuisines, including Japanese, Korean, Thai, and Mediterranean.
Go to the Jazzhole
If you’re a lover of records and books, old and new, then you’ll love the Jazzhole! Here you will find a variety of classic records from artists around the world along with used and new books across all genres from Nigerian and other prominent authors. Before you leave, be sure to stop at the cafe for a yummy treat!
Stop by the Lekki Craft Market
The Lekki Arts and Crafts market (Jakande Air Market) is the best place to find a variety of one-of-a-kind wooden sculptures, masks, jewelry, Ankara fabrics, and clothing from different parts of Nigeria!
The market is located off the corner of the Lekki-Epe expressway. If you want to visit the market, I recommend arriving early to avoid the chaotic city traffic and the crowds. For more details on how to shop like a pro at the Lekki Arts and Crafts Market, check out the Culture Trip’s Essential Guide to Lekki’s Market.
Must-Try Nigerian Dishes
Nigerian food is jam-packed with delectable spices and flavors. Here is a list of a few stable dishes you must try during your visit.
Jollof Rice: This tomato-based onion, pepper, and spices rice will awaken your tastebuds. Jollof rice is paired with vegetables, chicken, beef, fried fish, and fried plantains. To sample the best Jollof rice in Lagos, go to The Place Restaurant in Ikoyi.
Egusi Soup: This delicious and nutritious soup is made with melon seeds, palm oil, spinach (or whatever vegetable you prefer), peppers, tomatoes, beef, cow skin, fish, and spices. The burst of flavors of the soup complements each other so well, making you want to eat more! Go to Utazi Kitchen and Bar to try one of the best southeastern Nigerian cuisines!
Suya: This flavorful traditional street food hails from Northern Nigeria and is made by grilling pieces of skewered meat (beef or ram) with salt, onions, ground peanut, pepper, and other spices. The options for getting Suya in Lagos are endless; here are the top 5 suya spots around the city!
Pepper Soup: This soup is famous in Nigeria and West African countries. Pepper soup is one of my favorite soups! The combination of spices mixed with onions, chili pepper, ginger, habanero peppers, garlic, tomatoes, and a variety of meat, including my favorite, catfish! Head to Grind Grill Cafe (Wolly’s Mall) for the tastiest pepper soup in Lagos!
Conclusion – Lady Chin’s Two Cents
I will be the first to admit that when it comes to visiting Nigeria, there’s a learning curve that you will experience. I hope this guide helps alleviate some guessings so you can focus on enjoying your time in the motherland and seeing and doing everything the dazzling city offers!
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