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Western Africa

Ivory CoastTravel guide

Explore Ivory Coast visa rulesCommon scams in Ivory Coast

Côte d'Ivoire is a country in West Africa known for beaches, rainforests, wildlife and tourist villages. Its capital is Yamoussoukro.

Why go

  1. Beaches and coastal resorts

  2. Taï National Park's tropical rainforest

  3. Wildlife in Comoë National Park

  4. The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro

Best time to go: November–March is the warm, dry season. March–May is hot and dry, while June–October is hot and wet.

Getting there

By air

  • Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport is in Abidjan.
  • Air France has daily flights between Abidjan and Paris. Brussels Airlines has daily flights between Abidjan and Brussels.
  • There are regular flights to other African capitals.

By land

  • Sitarail runs weekly trains from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Abidjan. The scheduled journey takes 36 hours, but delays are common and there are no sleeping cars.
  • The source advises against entering from Guinea, Liberia, Mali or Burkina Faso. It describes the Ghanaian border as fairly secure.
  • From Elubo, take a shared taxi to Aboisso, then a bus to Abidjan. There are about ten military checkpoints between the border and Abidjan.

Customs

  • Carry proper proof of yellow fever vaccination. You may be refused entry at the border without it.
  • Keep your travel documents ready for military checkpoints.
  • Visitors who need a visa can apply online for pre-approval to collect a three-month visa at Abidjan airport. Print the approved pre-enrolment document to show on arrival.

Getting around

  • Intercity buses

    Roads are generally in good condition, and buses are relatively modern. Bus timetables are available through the CityBus app. Frequent military checkpoints can add hours to a journey.

  • Taxis in Abidjan

    Look for orange taxis and flag one down. Agree on the fare before getting in. The source lists fares of US$2–4, depending on the journey length.

  • Driving

    Having your own vehicle makes travel around Abidjan easier. Abidjan's roads are very good, and traffic rules are generally followed. Drive on the right.

What to see and do

  • Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

    A major sight in Yamoussoukro.

  • Taï National Park

    It has the largest tropical rainforest in West Africa.

  • Comoë National Park

    The country's biggest and best-known national park has birds, elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys and antelopes.

  • Beaches and tourist villages

    These are among the country's main attractions, along with rainforests and wildlife preserves.

  • Watch football

    The top club league is Ligue 1, with 14 teams and a season running from October to May.

  • See international football in Abidjan

    International matches are played at Stade Olympique d'Ebimpé and Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny.

Food and drink

  • Alloco

    Fried plantains, usually served with spicy vegetable sauce and boiled eggs.

  • Attiéké

    Grated cassava that looks like couscous. It is often served with grilled fish, tomatoes, onions and cucumber.

  • Garba

    One of the national dishes suggested in the source.

  • Braised fish and chicken

    Widely available, including at Coq Ivoire. Say whether you want intestines when ordering.

  • Shoukouilla

    A speciality made with a blend of charbroiled meat.

  • Kedjenou

    A popular spicy stew.

Money

West African CFA franc (XOF)

  • The currency is commonly written as CFA.
  • The West African CFA franc is also used in seven other West African countries.
  • The currency is fixed to the euro at €1 = CFA655.957.

Typical costs

  • Abidjan taxi journeys: US$2–4, depending on distance.
  • Rooms with a fan: CFA6,000 or more.
  • Rooms with air conditioning: CFA10,000 or more.
  • Food is generally cheap, while accommodation is generally expensive.

Language

  • French is the official language and is widely spoken in towns and cities.
  • Around 70 native languages are spoken, including Anyin, Baoulé, Attié, Bété, Dan, Dioula, Guro and Senari.
  • English is generally not spoken outside major international hotels. Basic French is essential for getting around.

Staying safe

  • Political unrest and violence occur periodically in northern regions. Contact your embassy or ask other travellers about conditions before travelling inland.
  • The source reports British and American advice against non-essential travel to Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally and Bas-Sassandra.
  • If you are being hassled or feel in danger in Abidjan, the source suggests seeking help from a middle-aged man. It says local people are often protective of inexperienced visitors.
  • Be aware of carjackers when driving at night.
1 common scams in Ivory Coast, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Use the name Côte d'Ivoire, as the country has requested.
  • An English pronunciation close to the country's name is “Coat di-VWAR.”
  • During Ramadan, expect many restaurants to stay closed until dusk and working hours to be shorter. Ramadan is the Muslim holy month of fasting.

Don't

  • Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, even if you are not Muslim. It is considered very impolite.

Staying healthy

  • Drink bottled water. Tap water is generally not drinkable.
  • The source recommends a hepatitis A vaccination before travel.
  • Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination, as it may be required at the border.
  • Heavy surf affects the coast, and torrential flooding is possible during the rainy season.

Where to stay

  • Accommodation is generally expensive, even though food is cheap.
  • Rooms with a fan start at CFA6,000.
  • Rooms with air conditioning start at CFA10,000.
  • Resort accommodation is available in coastal areas.

Outdoor adventures in Ivory Coast

Côte d'Ivoire offers rainforest walks, wildlife watching and coastal beaches. Banco National Park has walking paths near Abidjan, while Comoë and Taï offer larger protected natural areas.

  • Comoë National Park wildlife watching

    WildlifeNorthern Savanna

    The park is in the Northern Savanna region. Transport, guides and booking arrangements are not specified.

    • Check the inland security situation with your embassy before travelling. Northern regions have experienced unrest and violence.

  • Taï National Park rainforest visit

    WildlifeSouthwestern Forests

    The park is in the Southwestern Forests region. Transport, guides and visitor routes are not specified.

    • Check security advice with your embassy before travelling inland.

  • Banco National Park walking paths

    HikeLagunesnear Abidjan

    Head to Banco National Park just north of Abidjan to use its walking paths. Transport and guide arrangements are not specified.

    • Cost: CFA 5,000 for foreign visitors.

  • Grand-Bassam beach

    Beachenear Grand-Bassam

    Visit Bassam from Abidjan. Grand-Bassam is about 40 km away; transport arrangements are not specified.

    • The coast has heavy surf.
    • Torrential flooding is possible during the rainy season.

  • Cocody beach

    BeacheLagunesnear Abidjan

    Visit the beach in Abidjan's Cocody district. Specific access points and transport arrangements are not specified.

    • The coast has heavy surf.
    • Torrential flooding is possible during the rainy season.

Airports, metros and trains in Ivory Coast

Airports with scheduled flights

  • ABJFélix-Houphouët-Boigny International AirportAbidjanMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
639 km

People and safety in Ivory Coast

Religion

No single faith is a majority. Very mixed.

  • Muslim43%
  • Christian40%
  • No religion13%
  • Folk religions2%
  • Other<1%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #137 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

60% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 25 of 198 countries can visit Ivory Coast easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required24
  • eTA required1
  • eVisa169
  • Visa required4

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa23 of 53 countries
  • Asia2 of 50 countries
  • Europe0 of 46 countries
  • Americas0 of 35 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

When is the dry season?

November–March is warm and dry. March–May is hot and dry, while June–October is hot and wet.

Which airport serves Abidjan?

Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport serves Abidjan. It has daily flights to Paris and Brussels, plus regular flights to other African capitals.

How do I take a taxi in Abidjan?

Flag down an orange taxi and agree on the fare before getting in. The source lists fares of US$2–4, depending on the journey.

Can I get around using English?

English is generally not spoken outside major international hotels. Basic French is essential for getting around.

What money is used?

The currency is the West African CFA franc, written as CFA or XOF. It is fixed to the euro at €1 = CFA655.957.

Is accommodation cheap?

Accommodation is generally expensive. The source lists fan rooms from CFA6,000 and rooms with air conditioning from CFA10,000.

What local food should I try?

Try alloco, which is fried plantain, or attiéké, which is grated cassava often served with grilled fish. Kedjenou is a popular spicy stew.

Can I drink tap water?

Tap water is generally not drinkable. Stick to bottled water.

Where can I see rainforest and wildlife?

Taï National Park has the largest tropical rainforest in West Africa. Comoë National Park has a wide range of wildlife.

What should I expect during Ramadan?

Many restaurants close until dusk, and working hours are shorter. Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours out of respect.

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