Local food is excellent; French or Lebanese cuisine is also available. Luxury items can be extremely expensive. There are many restaurants in big towns and cities, with good service. Most international hotels have bars.

Things to know: The country abounds in avocados, citrus fruits, pineapples and mangos and there is a plentiful supply of prawns in the south. Many dishes are served with rice, couscous or mashed potato.

National specialities:
• Feuille (manioc leaves).
• West African peanut soup.
• Banana bread.
• Zom (spinach with meat).
• Fried sweet potatoes or plantains.
• Beef with pineapple or coconut.

Legal drinking age: 18.

Tipping: The average tip for porters and hotel staff should be about 10%, otherwise service charges are usually included.

In Douala and Yaoundé particularly, nightclubs and casinos can be found independently or within most good hotels. There are also some cinemas. There are no licensing hours, and hotel bars stay open as long as there is custom.

Local handicrafts include highly decorated pots, drinking horns, jugs, bottles and cups, great earthenware bowls and delicate pottery, dishes and trays, mats and rugs woven from grass, raffia, jewellery and camel hair or cotton and beadwork garments.

Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0730-1800.