Ivory Coast Is a West African country with beach resorts, rain forests and a French-colonial legacy. Abidjan, on the Atlantic coast, is the country’s major urban centre. Its modern landmarks include ziggurat, concrete La Pyramide and St. Paul’s Cathedral, a swooping structure tethered to a massive cross. North of the central business district, Banco National Park is a rain forest preserve with hiking trails.

With reports of coups, civil wars and long term instability, travellers have long bypassed Ivory Coast; but the good news is that the country has emerged from its painful past and intrepid souls are once again discovering its charms. And the country is charming indeed: there are pristine tropical beaches backed by crumbling colonial relics; cool highlands home to waterfalls and untrammelled walking trails; and deep, dark forests where monkeys chatter and mysterious woven bridges appear overnight.

How to get to Ivory Coast

Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport also known as Port Bouët Airport is located 16 km south-east of Abidjan, Ivory Coast. It is the largest airport in the country for air traffic.

Air France flights	TAP Air Portugal flights	Tunisair flights
Emirates flights	Royal Air Maroc flights	South African Airways flights
Turkish Airlines flights	Ethiopian Airlines flights	Kenya Airways flights
Brussels Airlines flights	MEA flights	Air Algerie flights

Passport, Visa and Entry requirements for Ivory Coast

A visa is required to enter Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) for all U.S. citizens. You are able to apply for both tourist and business visas online. Your visa is valid for three months after it is issued. With a visa, you can stay in the Ivory Coast for 30 days.

A passport valid for 90 days from the time of entry is required together with proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever is required for entry into Côte d’Ivoire.

The health sector of Ivory Coast

The public medical services of the Ivory Coast are more important than the small number of private physicians and clinics. As of 2004, there were an estimated 9 physicians, 31 nurses, and 15 midwives per 100,000 people. About 77 per cent of the population had access to safe water in 2000 you will definitely need medical insurance before travelling to Ivory Coast.

Malaria and Yellow fever vaccination for Ivory Coast

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for travelling to Ivory Coast more so travelling from high-risk areas.

Malaria is the leading cause of mortality among children in Côte d’Ivoire and continues to be the top reason for medical consultations and hospitalizations. Malaria is endemic throughout Côte d’Ivoire the entire year, with peaks during the rainy season. Travellers must sleep under mosquito nets and use repellents where necessary and visit your doctor for Anti-malarial drugs before travelling to Ivory Coast.

The currency of Ivory Coast

The national currency of Ivory Coast is the West African CFA franc you may be able to use ATM cards in the major cities however it’s important to travel with cash and it should be new banknotes and you can change the forex bureau in Abidjan.

Official Language of Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast (French: Côte d’Ivoire) is a multilingual country with an estimated 78 languages currently spoken. But the official language is French, it was introduced during the colonial period. This language is taught in schools and serves as a lingua franca in the country.

Best time to travel to Ivory Coast

November through March is the best time to visit the Ivory Coast when temperatures are bearable thanks to the warm and dry season. The parks are also abloom during this time of the year and wildlife is abundant. The Festival of Masks, which is the most popular event in the country, is held in November.

What to wear in Ivory Coast

A popular dish in the Ivory Coast is mafé, or sauce d’arachide, which is meat in peanut sauce. Side dishes include fried or mashed plantains and attieke, grated and cooked cassava. Small, local restaurants called maquis serve dishes like kedjenou, chicken stewed with tomatoes and vegetables.

What to bring while travelling to Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast is a popular destination for hiking so travellers will need to pack wise while travelling to Ivory Coast.

• Anti-malaria medication to last the duration of your trip
• Good hiking shoes (if you plan to hike up mountains)
• A day pack and a refillable water bottle
• A bathing suit
• Insect-repellent spray suitable for the tropics (50% Deet)
• Camera
• Cash
• Water bottle
• Rain jacket

Car hire and driving in Ivory Coast

There are car rental companies providing wide car rental coverage of West Africa including the provision of driver car rental in Abidjan Ivory Coast. Grab our special car rental offers on Abidjan Ivory Coast car rental when you book in advance of your Ivory Coast holiday or business trip. 20% commitment deposit secures your Abidjan Ivory Coast rental car with the balance payable on arrival to Abidjan. We definitely advise car hire with a driver

Accommodation in Ivory Coast

The city of Abidjan was declared the capital of the Ivory Coast during the French rule as a colony and stayed the capital after the country became independent. The reason with the two capitals is associated with the country’s first president there are several accommodation facilities in both of the cities but travelling remotely and to tourism, areas require advance booking before travelling to Ivory Coast.

Local food of Ivory Coast

Fufu

The national dish is fufu (FOO-fue), plantains, cassava, or yams pounded into a sticky dough and served with seasoned meat (often chicken) and a vegetable sauce called kedjenou (KED-gen-ooh).

Tipping while Travelling in Ivory Coast

A service charge is usually added to hotel and restaurant bills in Ivory Coast. Where it is not, a tip of 10 to 15 per cent is acceptable. Taxi drivers usually expect 10 per cent.

Further information for Ivory Coast

For more than three decades after its independence from France, Ivory Coast was known for its religious and ethnic harmony, as well as its well-developed economy. The Western African country was hailed as a model of stability. But an armed rebellion in 2002 split the nation in two.

Safety of Ivory Coast

There is a high risk of violent crime throughout Cote d’Ivoire. Car and bus-jacking’s are common and checkpoints and roadblocks may be encountered. You should avoid confrontations with police and security forces. The risk of being a victim of crime increases at night throughout Abidjan.

Assagny National Park

Banco National Park

Comoé National Park

Îles Ehotilés National Park

Marahoué National Park

Mont Nimba National Park

Mont Péko National Park

Mont Sângbé National Park

Taï National Park

Wildlife

Birds

Vegetation

4 Days Experience Ivory Coast safari

10 Days Best of Ivory Coast safari

15 Days Discover Ivory Coast Safari

Abidjan city tours

Day Trips to Basilica of Our Lady of Peace

Hiking safaris to Mount Nienokoue

Visit the national Museum of Costume

Safari tours to Sassandra River Ivory Coast

Visit the historic town of Grand Bassam

Tours to La Cascade Waterfall

Tours to San Pedro beaches

Visit Abidjan national Zoo

Visit Bingerville Botanical gardens