Is it safe to withdraw cash in Mauritania or not?
Hotels and embassies sometimes have affiliated ATMs that are better maintained. I used one attached to an international bank near the airport around 9 PM and felt okay - but even then, I moved quickly and stayed alert.
A local friend in Nouadhibou accompanied me to an ATM before dinner. The machine was fine, but the area around it felt isolated, and there was no security. Best advice: never withdraw solo at night, even in major towns.
ATMs here can be tricky - I had to try three before finding one that worked with foreign cards. Most machines shut off access after dark or are in unlit, remote areas. I made sure to carry some backup USD just in case.
In Nouakchott, I used a BCI ATM just before 8 PM. It worked with my Mastercard, but the area was getting quiet, and I didn’t stick around. Withdrawing money after dark in Mauritania isn’t usually recommended - locals prefer daytime banking.