Best Things to Do in Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

Côte d’Ivoire sits on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, bordered by Ghana to the east and Liberia to the west. The things to do in Côte d’Ivoire revolve around two cities and several natural areas. Abidjan, the economic capital, is one of West Africa’s most dynamic cities: the Plateau district’s skyscrapers, the Treichville market, the Cocody residential area, and the Blvd. du Vridi seafood restaurants give it a cosmopolitan energy unusual in the region. The Basilique Notre-Dame de la Paix in Yamoussoukro (3 hours from Abidjan) was completed in 1990 and surpasses St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome in floor area; it is an extraordinary sight, largely because of its incongruity in the middle of a West African city. Grand Bassam, 40 km from Abidjan, is a UNESCO-listed colonial town with beach resorts along the Atlantic. Taï National Park in the southwest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the last primary tropical rainforests in West Africa and is home to chimpanzees, pygmy hippopotami, and over 1,300 plant species.Best time to visitDecember through February is the driest and most comfortable period, with the harmattan (a dry wind from the Sahara) keeping temperatures in the 25-30°C range and reducing humidity. March through May brings rain to the south; the north remains drier. June through October is the main rainy season. Abidjan receives significant rain but it rarely disrupts urban activity for long. The Fetes du Dipri festival (March-April) in Gomon village and the Fetes des Masques in western Ivory Coast (various dates) are significant cultural events.Getting aroundFélix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan has connections to Paris, Brussels, and major African cities. Within Abidjan, the city bus company (SOTRA), shared minibus taxis (gbaka), and motorcycle taxis (woro-woro on fixed routes) are the main options. Taxis are available and relatively cheap. The lagoon crossing to some districts uses ferry boats. The train from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro is unreliable; air-conditioned bus (UTB, CTM) is the preferred long-distance option.What to eatIvorian cuisine is characterized by attiéké (fermented cassava couscous, often served with grilled fish), kedjenou (chicken slow-cooked in a clay pot with tomatoes and peppers), foutou (pounded yam or plantain), and aloko (fried sweet plantain). Grilled chicken and fish (poisson braisé) is sold at roadside grills throughout Abidjan. The city’s French colonial legacy shows in the quality of boulangeries and café culture. For dining, the Plateau district and the Zone 4 area have the widest range of restaurants including excellent Lebanese, French, and Ivorian options.FAQIs Côte d’Ivoire safe for tourists?Abidjan and Grand Bassam are generally safe for tourists. Western Côte d’Ivoire near the Liberian and Guinean borders has had periodic instability; check current advisories before traveling to those areas. The country has been stable since the resolution of its post-election crisis in 2011 and has seen significant economic growth. Standard urban precautions apply in Abidjan. The US State Department currently rates most of the country at Level 2 (exercise increased caution).Is a visa required for Côte d’Ivoire?Most visitors require a visa. Citizens of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) member countries can travel without a visa. France and several other EU countries have visa-on-arrival agreements. Most other nationalities (including the UK and US) must obtain a visa in advance from an Ivorian embassy. An e-visa system has been introduced; check the official snedai.ci website for current procedures.