Hotels in Saly, Senegal: all inclusive, La Somone and the Petite-Côte

"All-inclusive hotel in Saly", "Senegal all-inclusive holidays", "5-star hotel in Saly": when you plan a winter-sun break in Senegal, the Petite-Côte is almost always the first name that comes up. Saly, La Somone and the nearby beaches hold a large share of the country's beach hotels. Here is how to choose the right area, the right board option and the right season, then book your hotel and pay online by card.

Saly, the Petite-Côte's main resort

Saly lies about 80 km south of Dakar, just north of Mbour and its fishing port. The resort was built for tourism: beachfront hotels, residences, villas, restaurants and even a golf course. The beaches are lined with coconut palms and the sea is usually calm, which families appreciate.

Saly is also easy to reach. Blaise Diagne International Airport, which serves Dakar, is at Diass, between Dakar and the Petite-Côte, and Saly is close to it. You can get to your beach hotel without crossing the capital, which is welcome after a flight.

One tip before you book: Saly's shoreline has suffered from erosion, and major works have been carried out to rebuild and protect the beaches. Depending on the spot, the beach in front of a hotel can be wider or narrower. Ask whether the hotel opens straight onto the beach and look at recent photos posted by travellers.

The most searched-for hotels in Saly

Some names come up again and again: the Royam, Le Saly Hôtel and the Hôtel Club Les Filaos, the Palm Beach, the Mövenpick Resort Lamantin, the Saly Princess and the Neptune. They do not all offer the same board options or the same beach access, so compare room by room rather than trusting the name alone.

When you compare, check:

• beach access: right on the sand, or a few minutes' walk away;
• the pools and what is on offer for children;
• the board option (see below);
• the room type: bungalow, garden-view or sea-view room;

All inclusive, half board or breakfast only?

All inclusive is the most searched-for option in Saly. It suits you if you plan to spend most of your stay at the hotel, especially with children: meals and some drinks are paid in advance. Terms vary from one hotel to another: buffet times, which drinks are included, extra charges for the à la carte restaurant. Read the details of the package before you book.

Half board or breakfast only leave you freer to try the restaurants of Saly and Mbour, or to go on day trips. It is often the better choice if you plan several outings.

La Somone and Pointe Sarène: quieter options

About 77 km south of Dakar, just north of Saly, La Somone is known for its lagoon. It has been protected since 1999 as a community nature reserve: mangroves and a great many birds. Several hotels in La Somone are in high demand, such as the Africa Queen and the Royal Horizon Baobab.

Further south, at Pointe Sarène, the Riu Baobab, an all-inclusive resort on the seafront, is another name that comes up often. These areas are quieter than Saly, with fewer restaurants within walking distance, which is where all inclusive really makes sense. For beaches further south, in Casamance, read our guide to hotels in Cap Skirring.

What to do around Saly

• Bandia reserve, close by, for a day on safari.
• Mbour and its fishing port, right next to Saly.
• Gorée Island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a day trip from Dakar.
• Lake Retba (Lac Rose), about 35 km north-east of Dakar: its colour, caused by a micro-alga, is brightest in the dry season.

To combine the beach with Dakar and Saint-Louis, read our one-week Senegal itinerary and our guide to where to stay in Dakar.

When to go to Saly

The dry season runs roughly from November to May: it is the best time for the beach on the Petite-Côte, with plenty of sunshine and little rain. The rainy season falls mainly between July and October, peaking in August. For the Christmas, February and Easter holidays, book early.

Before you go

• Entry rules: entry requirements depend on your nationality. For French citizens, in principle no visa is needed for a short tourist stay. Always check the current rules with the Senegalese authorities or your own foreign ministry before you travel. We do not handle visa applications.
• Health: for yellow fever and malaria prevention, ask your doctor or a travel clinic, and check the latest official advice.
• Currency: Senegal uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro at a fixed rate: €1 = 655.957 CFA francs.
• Time: Senegal is on GMT all year round, so it is the same time as London in winter and one hour behind in summer.

Reserving your hotel in Saly

Pick Saly or La Somone and your dates on our hotels in Senegal page: available hotels are shown with their board options. Travelling from the UK, the US or elsewhere abroad? You can pay online by bank card, and your voucher is sent to you after payment. Travellers based in Algeria can still pay in dinars.

A question about a hotel or a package? Write to NIA, our assistant, or contact us.

Nreservi, online travel agency — 1st floor, 116 boulevard Colonel Krim Belkacem (Telemly), Algiers Centre — +213 540 28 40 40.