Mombasa

Do

thumb|220px|right|Activities on Bamburi's beach: camel rides, diving boat and fishing boat

Buy

thumb|right|Kanga store on Biashara Street thumb|right|Various vyondo

Like in all of Africa, haggling is common in small shops. Especially if you are an obvious foreigner, the initial price is usually higher than what is normally paid for the merchandise. Just make sure you don't ask for prices in English. Use the little Swahili you know so as not to overpay.

The best places for buying souvenirs are the districts of Kinyozi, Mwembe and Tayari which are surrounding Haile Selassie Road and also Biashara Street (Biashara means "commerce" in Swahili). Specialities include: kitenge (vitenge in plural): fabrics decorated with colorful motifs for women to be worn around the waist or tied on the head kanga: similar to kitenge but also decorated with a border running along the sides and a written Swahili proverb. kikoi (vikoi in plural): the "kitenge" for men, sometimes made of wool and usually decorated with strips or tartan batik: originating on Java, batik has been known on the Kenyan coast for centuries. The pieces are cloths are woven by hand but not hand painted. Should not be washed in a washing machine. kiondo or chondo (vyondo in plural): handmade handbag with leather trim often beautifully decorated with beads or shells ndala: hand-made sandals made from leather and old tires (for the soles), these stylish shoes are a great souvenir from Mombasa. Local craftsman use colorful beads and pieces of leather to create a vast variety of shapes and decorations. No two pairs are al…

Eat

Mombasa is a cosmopolitan city with Arabic, Chinese, European and Indian influences, and this can be seen in the local cuisine. Many local dishes include coconut, for instance waly ya tui (basmati rice with coconut milk), kuku wa kupaka (chicken with coconut milk) and mahamri (coconut donuts with cardamom).

Drink

thumb|Mtwapa, Beach Bar thumb|Moon over the Indian Ocean There are quite a number of good bars, pubs and entertainment spots in Mombasa Town and the North Coast. Nightlife is very vibrant in Mombasa and in the village Mtwapa (15km north of Mombasa, called "the village that never sleeps").

Sleep

Hardly a tourist will stay in Mombasa city, but mostly along the beaches of the north or south coast.There is a wide range of accommodation on offer in Mombasa from camping to Backpacker hostels to hotels and villas with all comforts. thumb|right|Nyali beach

Stay healthy

thumb|Don't. Like most other developing countries, tap water is not safe to drink

Consult the safety guidelines for Kenya for general safety suggestions.

The area of Mombasa has about 60 healthcare establishments from hospitals to small clinics. Some of them also have a center for control and prevention of diseases in cooperation with the U.S. governmental agency Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. See also Department of Health - Mombasa County.