Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Ivory Coast depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Ivory CoastEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 111
- Ambulance
- 185
Currency
- Name
- West African CFA Franc
- Code
- XOF
- Symbol
- CFA
ATMs available in Abidjan. Mobile money (Orange Money, MTN Mobile Money) widely used. Carry cash outside major cities. USD and EUR can be exchanged at banks.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type E
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
GMT (UTC+0) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–March is the dry season — best for exploring Abidjan, the lagoon cities, Comoé National Park, and the beach resorts at Grand-Bassam. April–June and September–October are rainy. The south is generally more accessible year-round than the north.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | Not always expected at local maquis restaurants; appreciated at tourist restaurants |
| Taxis | Round up | Woro-woro (shared taxis) have set routes; negotiate fares for private taxis |
| Hotels | CFA 1,000–2,000 for porters | — |
Dress Code
- Smart casual in Abidjan — Ivorians dress stylishly
- Modest dress in the Muslim north
- Casual at beach resorts
Social Etiquette
- Côte d'Ivoire has a strong tradition of hospitality — you may be invited for a meal without much notice; accept warmly
- Abidjan is cosmopolitan and modern — the economic capital, though Yamoussoukro is the political capital
- Greeting is critical — always greet before any request or transaction
- The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro is the world's largest church — a surreal sight in a city of 300,000
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- Photography at military sites, the presidential residence, and some government buildings prohibited
- Drug offences carry severe penalties
- LGBTQ+ activity is not explicitly criminalised but same-sex relations face significant social hostility and some legal ambiguity
- Road travel: the Abidjan–Yamoussoukro highway is good; north can be rough. Check travel advisories for the north and west near Liberian/Guinean borders.
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (French) | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Hi (Nouchi slang) | Wesh / Yo | WESH / YO — Abidjan street slang |
| Thank you (French) | Merci | mehr-SEE |
| No problem (Dioula) | I ni ce | ee nee SEH |
| How much? (French) | C'est combien? | seh kom-BYEHN |
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