By air
The main entry point is Nouakchott-Oumtounsy International Airport (NKC), which has connections to Paris, Casablanca, Dakar, and a handful of other African cities. Air France, Royal Air Maroc, and Transavia all fly here. Flights from Europe typically connect through Paris or Casablanca. There is also an airport at Nouadhibou for those arriving from or continuing to the north.
Visa
Since January 2025, Mauritania no longer issues visas on arrival. All visitors who require a visa must apply in advance for an e-Visa through the Mauritanian immigration authority website. Allow at least two to four weeks for processing. The standard 30-day tourist visa costs around €55 / $60. Longer visas (90, 360, and 720 days) are also available. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry.
Check the current situation before travelling — visa rules have changed several times in recent years.
By land
The main overland crossings are from Morocco via the Western Sahara into Nouadhibou, from Senegal at Rosso (the main crossing on the Senegal River), and from Mali. The Morocco crossing is well-travelled but involves crossing no-man's-land in a convoy; take local advice on conditions. The Rosso crossing involves a river ferry and can be slow.
Overland travel from Mali is possible in theory but most of the border region is currently considered unsafe due to jihadist activity — check current travel advisories carefully before attempting this route.