Organize your stay Ivory Coast
Money Ivory Coast
Currency. The currency used in Côte d'Ivoire is the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) CFA franc, symbol XOF. Banknotes are issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO). This currency is common to all French-speaking border countries in West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. It is therefore possible to use CFA francs in these eight countries. Not to be confused with the CFA franc of the CEMAC - Communauté Economique et Monétaire de l'Afrique Centrale (Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa) - which does not belong to the same geographical zone, and whose symbol is XAF.
Denominations come in bills of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 FCFA, and coins of 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250 and 500 FCFA.
The exchange rate, fixed and unchanging prior to the introduction of the euro, and benchmarked against the post-devaluation French franc, was 1 FF for 100 FCFA. Today, this exchange rate, applied to the euro, is much less obvious to calculate: 1 € = 656.96 FF = 656.96 FCFA.
Banks and foreign exchange. All the banks operating in Côte d'Ivoire are headquartered in Abidjan's Plateau, the administrative and business district. It's good to know that they generally operate continuously (from 8am to 2 or 3pm) from Monday to Friday (as well as on Saturday mornings in rarer cases), and are always packed with people.
As the main currency is the CFA franc, you'll have a hard time selling euros, except perhaps for large purchases and in a few establishments that accept them. To exchange your currency, you can go to a bureau de change, which can be found in most major hotels, as well as in some shopping malls. Exchange fees, however, can vary enormously from one bureau de change to another. At the airport, the commission is reasonable, but at banks it's also very good (you'll need your passport to do this).
Cash. Abidjan is pretty well supplied with ATMs, and you'll be able to withdraw cash just about anywhere in town. It's a good idea, however, to be aware of any incidents or events that could hamper your transactions: ATMs out of service, faulty or empty... Avoid withdrawing money between the 28th and the 3-4th of the following month, and especially not on the 30th of the month, as the general rush at all cash dispensers can be tedious. This warning also applies to the eve of public holidays, when some city ATMs are put to the test and often run dry.
To reduce the risk of incurring some of these inconveniences, it's best to go to the Plateau, Cocody or Marcory, or to shopping malls with several ATMs, and withdraw a large sum of money at once, to avoid accumulating commissions on each withdrawal.
Both the local Ivorian bank and your bank (unless you have a "zero bank charges abroad" card) charge commissions on withdrawals. This varies from bank to bank, but is fixed for all amounts, so you're best advised to withdraw large sums: 400,000 FCFA is the maximum. Outside Abidjan, ATMs are rarer and sometimes empty, notably in Bassam where there are only 3 (the queue is long) or in Assinie, where there are none at all! In Yamoussoukro, Man, Bouaké or Korhogo, there are more cash dispensers, as these are larger towns.
Smart tip. It's a good idea to carry some small change with you at all times for basic transactions (cabs, occasional purchases at the market, meals in the maquis, etc.), as change, it's fair to say, is not commonplace. For example, in supermarkets, cashiers will often offer you the equivalent of the small change they don't have in sweets, and in the street, it's not uncommon to see a vendor pass on your bill to his clerk so that the latter can send the repo man to make up the difference at another shop (the chain can be longer); in other cases, they will pay you the change out of their own pockets and then make arrangements between themselves (faster).
Credit card and cell phone. If you have a bank card (Visa, MasterCard, etc.), make sure you have plenty of cash, as only a few establishments accept CBs: hotels and some luxury restaurants. The cost of the operation is therefore lower than withdrawing large amounts abroad. In Assinie, hotels generally accept credit cards, but you'll need to make sure that the card machine's connection works when you pay. If you have a plane to catch, it's best to pay your bills the day before, to avoid stress at the time of departure. In Bassam, CB is also accepted, as it is in the country's tourist and business establishments.
Payment by Orange Money has become very popular in the country, replacing cash even in small roadside stores. If you're equipped with this application, you'll have no more payment problems!
Budget & Tips Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire is a rather expensive country for tourists, if you want to enjoy a pleasant vacation with a minimum of comfort. It's not a country where you can travel with your head in the clouds, your hair blowing in the wind and your bag on your back. Here, smart travel is not necessarily synonymous with economical travel, and before you set off on any trip with your flower on your shoulder, make sure you've (1) opted for a reasonably safe means of transport (choose your bus company carefully and avoid gbakas wherever possible); (2) gathered information about your destination (hotels in particular); (3) if possible, got in touch with local guides (we've included some in every major city in this guide). In some areas, such as the north or west of the country, the services of a guide will be invaluable, to enable you to access tourist sites easily and interact with local people, especially if you want to see traditional mask ceremonies.
Low budget. Of course, you can always opt for a backpacker-style trip, in which case you switch from the Western mode to the "Ivorian way of life", and while the experience can be fun on an occasional basis, for Ivorians, the white man has no money problems. Deliberately choosing to live "like a pauper" is nonsense for most of them. That said, it is of course possible to roam and live "local-style", albeit at the expense of certain standards of safety, hygiene and comfort. In this case, public transport in town doesn't exceed 300-500 FCFA, and varies between 2,500 and 7,000 FCFA for inland travel (bus, gbakas). You can eat in kiosks and maquis for between 3,000 and 8,000 FCFA a day, and sleep in ventilated or air-conditioned rooms in some local hotels or Catholic missions for less than 15,000 FCFA a night.
Average budget. For those who prefer to travel with a minimum of comfort, a night in a mid-range hotel rarely costs less than 40,000 FCFA in Abidjan, and 20-25,000 FCFA in the "provinces". For a full meal (starter+main course+drink+dessert) in a Western-style restaurant or maquis-restaurant, expect to pay at least 10-15,000 FCFA. Finally, if you choose to hire a car, you'll be looking at a minimum of 30-40,000 FCFA gross per day, not including per diem for the driver. The daily budget thus rises to a much higher category, flirting with 100,000 FCFA per day. An intermediate solution is to take the best buses in the country between the major cities, then travel by local cab or three-wheeled vehicle (bajajs), which are now very common in the countryside.
High budget. Expect to pay between 150 and 200,000 FCFA per day or more, for those who prefer (and can afford) grand hotels, good restaurants and the most comfortable means of transport. Since the end of 2014, the new national airline Air Côte d'Ivoire has restarted its domestic flights after 17 years of inactivity, with regular service to Korhogo (north), Bouaké (center), San Pedro (southwest), Man (west) and Odienné (center). A round trip costs between 40 and 90,000 for the best offers, which is very expensive, but at the same time it takes you 1 hour to fly (to the new terminal 2 in Abidjan) instead of 6 or 7 hours by road. With the advent of new roads in the country, this solution is less attractive, especially to get to San Pedro, as it takes 6 hours instead of 12 by road, and by luxury direct bus.
Tips. It's a good idea to leave a tip in bars and restaurants, or at the hotel for the staff or local guide, if the service provided is appreciated. The amount is random and varies according to the degree of satisfaction, but a tip is the least you can do, and sharing a meal or a drink at the end of the day with your guide will also be appreciated.
Haggling. In Côte d'Ivoire, as elsewhere in Africa, haggling is part of the institution and almost a social game, especially when buying handicrafts and souvenirs. Generally speaking, if someone says to you, "Pour toi, je fais prix d'ami", you can be sure it's a " toubabou price". The rule is that you divide the advertised price by four to get back to half; this is the start of an oratorical jousting match that can prove to be very tasty, provided you put in the right amount of humor and good (or bad!) faith... However, haggling must not become a habit applicable to all sectors of the economy, or turn into a crass indecency.
Passport and visas Ivory Coast
In addition to a passport still valid for at least six months after the date of return, travellers wishing to visit Côte d'Ivoire (other than ECOWAS nationals) are required to have a biometric visa. You'll need a scan of your passport, plane ticket and hotel reservation on arrival to make up your online pre-registration file.
The visa costs 50 euros for a stay of 1 to 3 months, and can be applied for at the Côte d'Ivoire embassy in Paris. Or remotely, with online pre-registration (73 euros for a three-month multiple-entry visa). Once your visa has been validated (usually within 3 working days), you can complete it on arrival at Abidjan airport, on presentation of the pre-enrolment document with a barcode to be scanned (see www.snedai.com). Although there were difficulties in the past, by 2024 visa issuance was running smoothly.
Driver's license Ivory Coast
An international driver's license and car insurance are required to drive a vehicle in Côte d'Ivoire.
Health Ivory Coast
For the uninitiated or those suffering from poor health, the main problems to be deplored are digestive problems (Africans have an armored steel stomach) and difficulty in adapting to the climate (crushing heat, sticky humidity and drastic climate change often leading to increased fatigue). In addition, airway infections and skin diseases are aggravated by Abidjan's heavy pollution, harmattan dust, numerous laterite tracks and miasmatic air conditioners and splits. In a tropical and humid environment, particular care must also be taken with the smallest wounds, injections and other little injuries, which become infected more quickly than in more oceanic latitudes. Finally, don't forget to go out covered, whether in the sun or in the evening (we won't draw you a picture).
Food hygiene. Don't drink tap water or eat raw or undercooked food. Similarly, it's best to wash and peel your vegetables thoroughly. The ideal food hygiene solution is to drink encapsulated bottles of mineral water or, for health freaks, to purify it with pills (Aquatabs, Drinkwell chlorine, etc.). Hepatitis A, which is usually benign (but sometimes serious, especially over the age of 45 and in cases of pre-existing liver disease), can be contracted through water or poorly washed food. Not to be confused with hepatitis B, much more serious (it can become chronic, if not fatal), which is transmitted through blood and sexual fluids.
Water. Very rarely purified, tap water contains many of the bacteria and amoebae responsible for most cases of diarrhea. We therefore advise against consuming water - including ice cubes - of uncertain origin. At the table, however, mineral water is preferable.
Sunshine. Whatever the season, the sun in this part of the world hits hard, so remember to protect yourself accordingly, taking into account your skin's natural ability to recover from the damage caused by prolonged exposure. Don't be fooled by gloomy days, either: hazy weather doesn't stop UV rays from working, and makes sunburn all the more treacherous. As everywhere else in the world, the most harmful sun shines between noon and two in the afternoon.
Sea and beaches. Be careful when swimming: the bar phenomenon makes the beaches on the east coast extremely dangerous, and some excellent swimmers and surfers have been caught in the baïnes, shallow water currents that sweep the unwary out to sea. If you do get caught in one of these, don't fight it: the best thing to do is let yourself drift, as the current, having swept the swimmer away, usually carries him or her back to shore a few kilometers further on (which is always better than risking drowning from exhaustion).
STDS. As everywhere else in the world, having unprotected sex exposes you to the risk of catching sexually transmitted diseases, including AIDS, but also many other joys (herpes, hepatitis B, chlamydia, etc.). In Côte d'Ivoire, the prevalence rate is estimated at around 7%, which is far from negligible.
Malaria. Prophylactic treatment against malaria is highly recommended, given the year-round incidence of the parasite in the country. And, of course, a tropical zone mosquito repellent to be applied morning and night.
In case of illness. Contact the French consulate. They'll be happy to help you and provide you with a list of French-speaking doctors. In the event of a serious problem, the consulate will also inform the family and decide on repatriation. To find out about emergency services and establishments that meet international standards, visit www.diplomatie.gouv.fr and www.pasteur.fr
Mandatory vaccination Ivory Coast
For any stay in the country, the yellow fever vaccine is compulsory, and the vaccines against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A are indispensable. It is also strongly advised to protect against hepatitis B, typhoid fever, poliomyelitis and meningitis A and C.
Security Ivory Coast
Terrorist risk. The risk is no higher throughout the country than in France, with the exception of the northern zone on the border with Burkina Faso and Mali, which has been classified as a red zone and formally inadvisable to travelers since the June 2020 terrorist attack in the vicinity of the Comoé National Park.
Regularly consult the weeklysecurity bulletin posted on the website of the French Embassy in Côte d'Ivoire: www.ambafrance-ci.org. It should be read with a minimum of hindsight, however, and taking into account information provided by local residents; the same applies to information about Côte d'Ivoire listed on the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website. Caution is the better part of valour, but it shouldn't lead to unnecessary paranoia.
Here are a few tips. Don't go alone to popular neighborhoods such as Yopougon, Adjamé or Abobo, especially at night: prefer to go in a group, if possible in the company of one or more Ivorian acquaintances. Of course, as everywhere else, don't ostentatiously display the trappings of your financial affluence: jewelry, banknotes, smartphones, cameras and the latest high-tech toys are veritable invitations to steal. One well-placed gesture from a clever pickpocket and your possessions will have every chance of ending up on Adjamé's black market.
Single women on a trip. Provided you accept the frequent solicitations of the (otherwise rather gallant) male population, a single woman will often find herself helped and welcomed like anyone else - in other words, warmly. To assert yourself in front of your male counterparts, a humorously stated determination will often suffice, the best option remaining to explain that you're married, and possibly that you have children. All these precautions apply above all to young, unmarried women. Indeed, the mother is such a crucial and sacred institution in Africa that a mother, wherever she comes from, will most of the time be respected, and sometimes even affectionately called Tantie.
Time difference Ivory Coast
When it's midday in Côte d'Ivoire, it's an hour later in France, Belgium or Switzerland, and two hours later when these countries are on summer time (there is no time change in Africa).
Spoken languages Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire offers great linguistic diversity, with no fewer than 70 languages, almost all of which belong to the large Niger-Congo family. There are 4 main linguistic groups (Kwa, Gour, Krou and Mande), and some 17 languages that transcend village or ethnic borders, spoken by 100,000 or more speakers. Dioula occupies a privileged position, as it serves as a lingua franca for trade between Ivorians. Although it is the mother tongue of only 15% of the population, it is used as a secondary language by seven million speakers. French is the official state language, and the one taught in schools; it is spoken by the vast majority of Ivorians. However, in the countryside and in some villages, local populations prefer their own idiom, and sometimes don't speak it at all. Nouchi, a modern urban development of "Moussa's French", is a kind of popular Ivorian slang born in public transport stations and on the street. It is spoken mainly in large urban centers, particularly Abidjan. A true "creolization of French", this expressive, colorful slang is a mixture of terms borrowed from French, Bambara and sometimes English, Spanish or other languages. Some dictionaries of vernacular languages are available in Abidjan bookshops. As for Nouchi, it evolves so rapidly and is subject to so many variations that the best school is still that of the street, popular circles, a few newspapers like Gbich! and the excellent nouchi.com
Communication Ivory Coast
Telephoning. Outgoing calls are made by dialing 00 + country code + number (without the prefix 0 for France), and to call Côte d'Ivoire from abroad, dial 00 225 or +225, followed by the full number. Throughout the country, each region has its own area code, which corresponds to the first two digits of the number. Buying a local chip is ideal for a stay in Côte d'Ivoire.
Internet. It's possible to get online (with varying degrees of success, depending on your location) almost anywhere in the country. Hotels provide a wifi network that is more or less operational and efficient. It's advisable to buy a local chip on arrival, with vendors offering them for 2,000 FCFA, so you don't have to queue for hours in a store (with your passport). In just a few minutes, you can buy credit at any roadside kiosk and purchase data packages for a number of days at very reasonable prices.
Electricity and measurements Ivory Coast
The standard is 220 V, and plugs are similar to French electrical connections. Some poorly-supplied regions (in the east of the country) are subject to occasional power cuts, while several localities have no power at all. The metric system is used in Côte d'Ivoire.
Luggage Ivory Coast
In Côte d'Ivoire, it's hot all year round, with temperatures ranging from 22°C (winter!) to 35°C.
So, above all, you need light clothing, preferably in cotton or natural materials (avoid synthetics). Ivorians are very careful about what they wear, and don't take kindly to a scruffy look or unclean clothes, which will be interpreted as a lack of respect. For the evening, remember to bring a T-shirt or long-sleeved shirt, and pants, which are useful for protection against mosquitoes. Evening wear is required in many of Abidjan's clubs - people dress up here!
If you're visiting Côte d'Ivoire during the rainy season (June to September), a windbreaker or rain poncho will be welcome. A pair of sandals and a pair of closed-toe sneakers for evening wear or walking through tall grass. A cotton or silk meat-bag sheet. Handy if bedding cleanliness is questionable. A flashlight in case of power failure, if you're traveling inland. A mosquito repellent for tropical zones is a must. Earplugs can be useful in gbakas with loud music or in hotels near noisy streets.
