Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
1.3M
Population
210 km2
Area
37 Mbps
Internet
UTC+01:00
Timezone
DLA (5km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Douala pulses with the raw energy of Cameroon's commercial heart, where bustling markets overflow with spices and street food amid constant tropical humidity. Digital nomads find reliable internet in cafes amid the Grand Joyau neighborhood's mix of high-rises and vibrant nightlife. It's a gateway to Central Africa's adventures, blending French-African culture with non-stop urban rhythm.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Cameroon
Region
Middle Africa
Population
1.3M
Timezone
UTC+01:00
Language
English
Airport
DLA
GPS
4.05, 9.70
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
Internet at 37 Mbps — plan for offline work or find coworking spaces
Connections
Douala has 12 sister cities worldwide
Travel
DLA airport just 5 km from the city center
Climate
Year-round average of 27C — near-ideal temperatures
INFRASTRUCTURE
1,846 total POIs 8.8 per km²
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
78
Cafes
9
Bars
87
Fast Food
9
Shopping
Supermarkets
42
Convenience
11
Shopping Malls
11
Healthcare
Hospitals
23
Clinics
132
Pharmacies
85
Education
Schools
545
Universities
16
Libraries
1
Recreation
Parks
19
Playgrounds
9
Sports
37
Cinemas
4
Museums
2
Theatres
4
Transport
Bus Stops
5
Train Stations
4
Fuel Stations
163
Services
Banks
152
ATMs
5
Post Offices
4
Police
24
Fire Stations
2
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
37 Mbps
Download
9 Mbps
Upload
83ms
Latency
9,732
Tests
2,038
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Jan - Dec
28°
J
28°
F
27°
M
27°
A
26°
M
26°
J
25°
J
26°
A
26°
S
27°
O
27°
N
28°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 26.7 C Range: 27.9 - 25.4 C Rain: 1,416 mm/year Sunshine: 3,200 h/year
CITY SCORES
91.5
Nomad Index
A
Livability
50.0
Culture
74.1
Overall
AIRPORT
DLA
Douala International Airport
5 km from center
Very close — ~8 min ride
FUN FACTS
Douala is the largest city in Cameroon and its economic capital.
It is also the capital of Cameroon's Littoral Region.
It was home to Central Africa's largest port, now being replaced by Kribi port.
It is the commercial and economic capital of Cameroon and the entire CEMAC region comprising Gabon, Congo, Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Central African Republic and Cameroon.
As of 2025, the city and its surrounding area had an estimated population of 4,346,000, while the city proper had an estimated population of 3,816,500.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Douala known for?
Douala pulses with the raw energy of Cameroon's commercial heart, where bustling markets overflow with spices and street food amid constant tropical humidity. Digital nomads find reliable internet in cafes amid the Grand Joyau neighborhood's mix of high-rises and vibrant nightlife. It's a gateway to Central Africa's adventures, blending French-African culture with non-stop urban rhythm.
How fast is the internet in Douala?
Douala has an average download speed of 37 Mbps and upload speed of 9 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Douala?
Douala has an average year-round temperature of approximately 26.7 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Douala?
Douala is served by DLA (Douala International Airport), approximately 5 km from the city center.
What is the population of Douala?
The population of Douala is approximately 1.3M.
What infrastructure does Douala have?
Douala has 1,846 mapped points of interest, including 78 restaurants, 23 hospitals, 545 schools.
What country is Douala in?
Douala is located in Cameroon.