Pointe Noire is a city in Republic of the Congo.
Pointe Noire is the second largest city of the Republic of the Congo. It is also a major sea port and a tourist destination. The town has a very French feel to it, because of the colonial past and the still large number of French expatriates and tourists.
- Diosso Gorge. Just outside Pointe Noire, there's the spectacular Diosso gorges. One can negotiate a taxi for the day to go there and forth. Local village boys have barred the route to the lookout point and ask about FCFA 2000 pp for entrance.
- Mazra Club, Songolo. Seaside in the district of Songolo there is the Mazra Club, a beach club near a stretch of mangrove. The mangrove ecosystem, the seaside location and the different private "paillottes" make this a comfortable place to hang out. Local beer or "jus" costs you FCFA 1000. Be sure to ask the cab driver if he knows the place, because it's rather hard to find.
- Conkouati-Douli National Park. A five-hour drive (in the dry season) North of Pointe Noire, near the Gabonese border is the vast and relatively scarcely visited national park of Conkouati-Douli. Elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees can be seen here. Be sure to strenuously ask your guide to do a tour of the Ngongo river as late as possible and to go down the river with the engine turned off to see elephants and gorillas.
Diosso Gorge. Just outside Pointe Noire, there's the spectacular Diosso gorges. One can negotiate a taxi for the day to go there and forth. Local village boys have barred the route to the lookout point and ask about FCFA 2000 pp for entrance.
Mazra Club, Songolo. Seaside in the district of Songolo there is the Mazra Club, a beach club near a stretch of mangrove. The mangrove ecosystem, the seaside location and the different private "paillottes" make this a comfortable place to hang out. Local beer or "jus" costs you FCFA 1000. Be sure to ask the cab driver if he knows the place, because it's rather hard to find.
Conkouati-Douli National Park. A five-hour drive (in the dry season) North of Pointe Noire, near the Gabonese border is the vast and relatively scarcely visited national park of Conkouati-Douli. Elephants, gorillas and chimpanzees can be seen here. Be sure to strenuously ask your guide to do a tour of the Ngongo river as late as possible and to go down the river with the engine turned off to see elephants and gorillas.
Some hotels will accept payment in euros or US dollars. There are also a few money exchange offices. Changing euros or dollars is easy. Very poor rates are given for British pounds.
The artisan village is on the Port Side Beach (next to Le Derrik). Prices will differ for every customer. It is ok to take pictures and send local trustworthy people to buy in your place as they will get at least half of the price. Be careful when buying wood statues as they need to be fumigated for bugs.
- Citronnelle, Opposite Atlantic Palace Hotel. Typical French patisserie, which has some excellent patisseries, cakes and fresh orange juice
- La Cite, Taxi will take you there. Typical bakery that also serves swarm, sandwiches and kebab, good prices, Swarm is around FCFA 2000, try the Chocolate Bread (Pain de Chocloat) ~ FCFA 500.
- Kactus, Charles de Gaulle crossing (Across from Congo Credit Bank, +242 22 294 5025, +242 05 564 5025. 10:00-22:00. Home delivery and also sit-in restaurant. Very good pizza and Hamburger. The fish burger (as of 2012) is particularly good with a thick chunk of fresh grilled fish topped with cheese, tomato slice and lettuce. Ordering at home will cost you extra FCFA 2000 for shipment, they work very fast in about 20 minutes you have it at your door
- Le Derrick, Port Side Beach. 11:30-15:00, 19:00-22:00. Best place in town for eating, prices are very good about FCFA 5500 will give you the daily menu, It is mostly for oil industry people, but anyone can eat there. However, it does get crowded during meal times hence come early. Certainly a recommended place as of 2012.
- Gaspar. Very good fish and chicken on a stick, French type on the sidewalk restaurant, very fresh and tasty food. Do not go to bathroom since it is dirty, chicken is clean.
- Cercle Naval, +242 05 557 9998. 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:30. Restaurant co-located with the Pointe Noire Yacht Club. Covered terrace overlooking the water. Most of the patrons are expatriates. Large selection of pizzas, also meat and fish dishes. Nice atmosphere. FCFA 7-9,000.
Citronnelle, Opposite Atlantic Palace Hotel. Typical French patisserie, which has some excellent patisseries, cakes and fresh orange juice
La Cite, Taxi will take you there. Typical bakery that also serves swarm, sandwiches and kebab, good prices, Swarm is around FCFA 2000, try the Chocolate Bread (Pain de Chocloat) ~ FCFA 500.
Kactus, Charles de Gaulle crossing (Across from Congo Credit Bank, +242 22 294 5025, +242 05 564 5025. 10:00-22:00. Home delivery and also sit-in restaurant. Very good pizza and Hamburger. The fish burger (as of 2012) is particularly good with a thick chunk of fresh grilled fish topped with cheese, tomato slice and lettuce. Ordering at home will cost you extra FCFA 2000 for shipment, they work very fast in about 20 minutes you have it at your door
Le Derrick, Port Side Beach. 11:30-15:00, 19:00-22:00. Best place in town for eating, prices are very good about FCFA 5500 will give you the daily menu, It is mostly for oil industry people, but anyone can eat there. However, it does get crowded during meal times hence come early. Certainly a recommended place as of 2012.
Gaspar. Very good fish and chicken on a stick, French type on the sidewalk restaurant, very fresh and tasty food. Do not go to bathroom since it is dirty, chicken is clean.
Cercle Naval, +242 05 557 9998. 12:00-15:00, 18:00-22:30. Restaurant co-located with the Pointe Noire Yacht Club. Covered terrace overlooking the water. Most of the patrons are expatriates. Large selection of pizzas, also meat and fish dishes. Nice atmosphere. FCFA 7-9,000.
Unlike many African cities, it is quite safe to walk in the main parts of the city and the beach area. There are relatively few beggars.
Credit cards are not accepted in many places - only the very best hotels. Internationally linked ATMs are also not too common. Credit du Congo have a few branches with machines that will accept foreign cards.
There are several FM radio stations (all French language), including RFI on 93.2MHz.
Not many people in the town speak English.