A passport and visa are required. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Mauritanian Embassy or Consulate. As a result of former border conflict between Morocco and the Western Sahara, there are reports of unexploded landmines in areas of Mauritania adjacent to the Western Sahara. Exploding mines are occasionally reported and have caused death and injury. Surface travel between Mali and Mauritania can be dangerous, since the border region has historically been plagued by banditry.
Medicines are difficult to obtain.
Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. In some cases, supplemental medical insurance with specific overseas and medical evacuation coverage has proven useful. The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Both are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.