How tourist ATM syndrome drains your wallet in Douala (phones, pools, peanuts)

as someone who tried to google this stuff before checking into my first hotel, let me save you the gut punch. douala’s hidden costs aren’t on the pamphlets. they’re on the 300% markup for sim cards from the airport kiosks, the taxi drivers who suddenly need 3x ride fares at 10pm, or the ‘luxury’ hotel breakfast that serves boiled eggs without salt. last week i overheard a tourist at cdg airport crying over their 400++€ phone bill from douala because they forgot to add an e-roaming package. 8th national bank at makina metro allowed me to withdraw fcfa 1,200 from their atm for fcfa 550. who needs a budget? you need therapy after this.