[Travel](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Guides](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/) › [Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/) # Guide to Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) To visit Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), check entry requirements, connectivity and this guide’s local references. Côte d’Ivoire combines Abidjan’s energy with Grand-Bassam, Yamoussoukro and inland landscapes. Its maquis eateries and regional dishes offer an introduction to a culture lived around the table. [Places in Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) · 6 catalog places →](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/costa-de-marfil/) ## Visa for your trip Your passport countrySelect countryAfghanistanAlbaniaAlgeriaAndorraAngolaAntigua & BarbudaArgentinaArmeniaAustraliaAustriaAzerbaijanBahamasBahrainBangladeshBarbadosBelarusBelgiumBelizeBeninBhutanBoliviaBosnia & HerzegovinaBotswanaBrazilBruneiBulgariaBurkina FasoBurundiCambodiaCameroonCanadaCape VerdeCentral African RepublicChadChileChinaColombiaComorosCongo - BrazzavilleCongo - KinshasaCosta RicaCôte d’IvoireCroatiaCubaCyprusCzechiaDenmarkDjiboutiDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEgyptEl SalvadorEquatorial GuineaEritreaEstoniaEswatiniEthiopiaFijiFinlandFranceGabonGambiaGeorgiaGermanyGhanaGreeceGrenadaGuatemalaGuineaGuinea-BissauGuyanaHaitiHondurasHong Kong SAR ChinaHungaryIcelandIndiaIndonesiaIranIraqIrelandIsraelItalyJamaicaJapanJordanKazakhstanKenyaKiribatiKosovoKuwaitKyrgyzstanLaosLatviaLebanonLesothoLiberiaLibyaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgMacao SAR ChinaMadagascarMalawiMalaysiaMaldivesMaliMaltaMarshall IslandsMauritaniaMauritiusMexicoMicronesiaMoldovaMonacoMongoliaMontenegroMoroccoMozambiqueMyanmar (Burma)NamibiaNauruNepalNetherlandsNew ZealandNicaraguaNigerNigeriaNorth KoreaNorth MacedoniaNorwayOmanPakistanPalauPalestinian TerritoriesPanamaPapua New GuineaParaguayPeruPhilippinesPolandPortugalQatarRomaniaRussiaRwandaSamoaSan MarinoSão Tomé & PríncipeSaudi ArabiaSenegalSerbiaSeychellesSierra LeoneSingaporeSlovakiaSloveniaSolomon IslandsSomaliaSouth AfricaSouth KoreaSouth SudanSpainSri LankaSt. Kitts & NevisSt. LuciaSt. Vincent & GrenadinesSudanSurinameSwedenSwitzerlandSyriaTaiwanTajikistanTanzaniaThailandTimor-LesteTogoTongaTrinidad & TobagoTunisiaTürkiyeTurkmenistanTuvaluUgandaUkraineUnited Arab EmiratesUnited KingdomUnited StatesUruguayUzbekistanVanuatuVatican CityVenezuelaVietnamYemenZambiaZimbabweChoose the passport you travel with. The lookup adapts automatically. Conditions and other situationsShort tourist stays with an ordinary passport. Residence, other visas, stay length and transit can change the requirement. Check with the authority before booking or travelling. [Destination source](https://snedai.com/e-visa/) · [Check itinerary with IATA](https://www.iatatravelcentre.com/passport-visa-health-travel-document-requirements.htm) Enable JavaScript to adapt this lookup to your passport. You can also check the destination source. ## eSIM and connectivity Compare Saily and Airalo plans. Check destination coverage and phone compatibility on the provider’s website. [Saily ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim?source=guide&lang=en)[Airalo ↗](https://tripguroo.com/api/affiliate/go/esim-airalo?source=guide&lang=en) Affiliate links: we may earn a commission on purchases. ## Currency and payments West African CFA Franc (XOF) · West African CFA Franc (XOF) ## Embassy Missions are filtered by your passport country. Confirm services, opening hours and appointments with the mission. View 45 missions and contacts ### [embassy of Angola in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899239) Abidjan Rue de la Cannebière Impasse, Lot 222 6 272LA[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899239) ### [Embassy of Belgium, Abidjan](https://cotedivoire.diplomatie.belgium.be/) Abidjan Rue du Bélier, Rue A56[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q104546209) ### [embassy of Burkina Faso in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111547196) Abidjan Immeuble SIDAM, 34 avenue Houdaille[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111547196) ### [embassy of Brazil in Ivory Coast](http://abidja.itamaraty.gov.br/) Cocody 6 Rue Serpente[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105798982) ### [Embassy of Canada in Abidjan](http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/cotedivoire/index.aspx) Abidjan 23 Avenue Noguès[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27863489) ### [embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876443) Abidjan [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876443) ### [embassy of Central African Republic in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876345) Abidjan 9 rue des Jasmins, Cocody Danga Nord[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876345) ### [embassy of Switzerland in Ivory Coast](https://www.eda.admin.ch/abidjan) Abidjan Rue du Bélier, Cocody Ambassades, Abidjan[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q101168191) ### [embassy of Cameroon in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112877475) Abidjan Immeuble le Général, Boulevard Botreau Roussel[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112877475) ### [Abidjan](http://ci.china-embassy.gov.cn/) Abidjan Lot 134A, M'Badon, Cocody, Abidjan[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116058021) ### [Embassy of Germany, Abidjan](https://abidjan.diplo.de/) Abidjan 39, Blvd. Hassan II[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q58603930) ### [Embassy of Algeria, Abidjan](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100268063) Abidjan 53 boulevard Clozel[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q100268063) ### [embassy of Egypt in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899249) Abidjan 24 rue Victor Schœlcher[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899249) ### [Embassy of Spain, Abidjan](http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Embajadas/ABIDJAN) Abidjan Impasse Ablaha Pokou. Cocody Danga Nord[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61999060) ### [embassy of Ethiopia in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899720) Abidjan Immeuble Nour Al Hayat, avenue Chardy[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899720) ### [Embassy of France, Abidjan](https://ci.ambafrance.org/) Abidjan 17 rue Lecoeur[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2378933) ### [general consulate of France in Abidjan](https://ci.ambafrance.org/-consulat-) Abidjan 1 rue Lecœur[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73231023) ### [embassy of Gabon in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112877693) Abidjan Rue B 5101[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112877693) ### [embassy of United Kingdom in Abidjan](https://www.gov.uk/world/organisations/british-embassy-abidjan) Abidjan Impasse du Belier, Rue A 58[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27863543) ### [embassy of Ghana in Ivory Coast](https://abidjan.mfa.gov.gh/) Abidjan rue J95[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112900126) ### [Embassy of Guinea in Côte d'Ivoire](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110712665) Abidjan Deux Plateaux Valons, Rue des Jardins,derrière Super Marché Hayat[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110712665) ### [embassy of Israel in Ivory Coast](https://embassies.gov.il/abidjan) Abidjan Immeuble Nour Al Hayat, avenue Chardy[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q111907349) ### [Embassy of India, Abidjan](https://www.eoiabidjan.gov.in/) Abidjan Riviera IV Golf, Îlot No.2, Lot No. 29[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q73093098) ### [embassy of Iran in Ivory Coast](https://cotedivoire.mfa.gov.ir/) Abidjan Boulevard de France, Rue Bélier A49[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876515) ### [embassy of Italy in Ivory Coast](https://ambabidjan.esteri.it/) Abidjan 16, Rue de la Canebière[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105061817) ### [Embassy of Japan, Abidjan](https://www.ci.emb-japan.go.jp/) Abidjan Immeuble La Prévoyance, Avenue Noguès[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2841868) ### [embassy of South Korea in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112875357) Abidjan Rue Saint Marie, Lot 18-19, Cocody Sud[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112875357) ### [embassy of Lebanon in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112878357) Abidjan Immeuble Trade Center, Avenue Noguès[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112878357) ### [embassy of Liberia in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898600) Abidjan 23 Rue Monseigneur Kouassi[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898600) ### [embassy of Morocco in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898787) Abidjan [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898787) ### [embassy of Mali in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898764) Abidjan bd Lagunaire, Imm. le Mali[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898764) ### [embassy of Mauritania in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876676) Abidjan Boulevard Latrille, rue de l’Eglise St Jacques[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876676) ### [embassy of Niger in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898890) Abidjan 6 Boulevard Achalme[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898890) ### [embassy of Nigeria in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898950) Abidjan 35 Boulevard de la République[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112898950) ### [Embassy of the Netherlands in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102336007) Abidjan Immeuble Union Européenne, Avenue Terrasson de Fougères[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q102336007) ### [Embassy of the State of Palestine, Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29512362) Abidjan Attoban, der. l’église CMA[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q29512362) ### [embassy of Russia in Ivory Coast](https://cotedivoire.mid.ru/) Abidjan B.P. 583 CIDEX3 Riviera Golf 1[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q109923954) ### [Embassy of Saudi Arabia in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857253) Cocody 15 Rue Victor Schoelcher[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q54857253) ### [embassy of Senegal in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899014) Abidjan Rue Serpente Sainte-Marie A40[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112899014) ### [embassy of Chad in Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876350) Abidjan Deux Plateaux Vallon, cité Lemania à 500 mètres derrière le restaurant "CHEZ PAUL"[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112876350) ### [Embassy of Tunisia, Abidjan](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68170908) Abidjan Avenue Delafosse prolongée, Immeuble Pelieu[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q68170908) ### [Embassy of Turkey, Abidjan](https://abidjan-be.mfa.gov.tr/) Abidjan Immeuble N'Zarama, Boulevard Lagunaire Charles de Gaulle[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2464705) ### [Embassy of the United States of America in Abidjan](https://ci.usembassy.gov/) Abidjan [Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q27861602) ### [Apostolic Nunciature to Ivory Coast](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12784979) Abidjan 18 rue Mgr. René Kouassi[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12784979) ### [embassy of South Africa in Ivory Coast](http://www.dirco.gov.za/Abidjan) Abidjan Villa Marc André, Rue Monseigneur René Kouassi[Source](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q106612484) ## Highlights ### [Historic Town of Grand-Bassam](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/unesco-1322/) UNESCO cultural World Heritage, inscribed in 2012. ### [Sudanese style mosques in northern Côte d’Ivoire](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/unesco-1648/) UNESCO cultural World Heritage, inscribed in 2021. ### [Comoé National Park](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/unesco-227/) UNESCO natural World Heritage, inscribed in 1983. ## Complete guide · chapter reading [Introduction](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-0) · [Regions](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-1) · [Cities](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-2) · [Other destinations](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-3) · [Understand](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-4) · [Get in](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-5) · [Get around](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-6) · [Talk](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-7) · [See](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-8) · [Do](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-9) · [Buy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-10) · [Eat](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-11) · [Sleep](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-13) · [Stay safe](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-14) · [Stay healthy](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-15) · [Respect](https://tripguroo.com/en/guides/costa-de-marfil/#full-chapter-16) ## Introduction Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a country in , visited for its beaches, rainforest, wildlife and tourist villages. Resort lodgings in coastal areas draw many visitors. ## Regions the coastal lagoons area around the de facto capital of , the largely Muslim area held in the civil war by rebel "New Forces" , the tropical wet forest area inhabited by the Kru people bordering the partially cultivated area between Lac de Kossou and the border with ## Cities – the administrative center; other countries maintain their embassies there. – although it has been the capital since 1983, it is not the administrative centre. – home of the Senoufo people and culture, bursts with commerce during Feb–May because of flowing cotton and cashew trade. Aboisso – important milestone on the route connecting Abidjan and Ghana trade route – the second largest city Dabou – the second port city – a coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends. Grand-Lahou - although its coast suffer from erosion, beautiful city located between lake and beach. Soubre - in the southwest, there is many cacao plantations around it/ ## Other destinations Three National Parks are on the . ## Understand History Côte d'Ivoire was home to several states including the Kong Empire, Gyaaman, Baoulé, and the Sanwi until it was colonised by the French in the late 19th century. Close ties to France since independence in 1960, the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Côte d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil. In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Côte d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 1999 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent Gbagbo into liberation. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the country, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President Gbagbo and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate. Elections were finally held in 2010. The first round of elections were held peacefully, and widely hailed as free and fair. Runoffs were held 28 November 2010, after being delayed one week from the original date of 21 Nov. Laurent Gbagbo, as president, ran against former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. On 2 Dec, the Electoral Commission declared that Ouattara had won the election by a margin of 54% to 46%. The majority of the rest of the world's governments supported that declaration, but the Gbagbo-aligned Constitutional Council rejected it, leading to a political crisis and then a Civil War, which ended in 2011 with Gbagbo's arrest. Climate Tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (Nov-Mar), hot and dry (Mar-May), hot and wet (Jun-Oct). The coast has heavy surf and no natural harbours; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible. Terrain Mostly flat to undulating plains with mountains in the northwest. Most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region. Apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated. The highest point is Mont Nimba at 1,752. People Côte d'Ivoire has more than 60 ethnic groups but the Baoule are the largest ethnic group. Tourist information [Côte d'Ivoire Tourism](https://tourismeci.org/) ## Get in Visa All ECOWAS countries, as well as Central African Republic, Republic of the Congo, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Seychelles, Chad, Singapore and Philippines citizens may get a visa on arrival. Other visitors may apply for an [[e-Visa online](https://snedai.com/e-visa/), which pre-approves travelers and allows them to receive three-month visas on arrival at Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. The cost of the visa is €73 (as of Oct 2022). It is recommended to print out the Approved Pre-enrolment to show at the airport. By plane The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport has daily scheduled flights to and from with [Air France](http://www.airfrance.com/) and with [Brussels airlines](http://www.brusselsairlines.com/). There are also regular flights to other African capitals. The airport is a modern facility and increased security has shaken its old reputation as a place for travellers to be ripped off. By train There are weekly trains from in to Abidjan, operated by Sitarail. Travel time for the full journey is scheduled for 36 hours but delays are the norm. The train does not feature couchettes or sleeping cars so it's a rather uncomfortable journey. By car It is ill advised to try to enter Côte d'Ivoire from , , , or . The ian border is fairly secure. If you enter at , you can easily catch a shared taxi to Aboisso and then a bus to . There are about ten military check-points between the border and Abidjan so have your documents ready. If you do not have proper documentation of your yellow fever immunization at the border you may be denied entry. By bus Buses run daily between Abidjan and . The service is offered alternating between the STC (Ghana) and its Ivorian equivalent. ## Get around Intercity travel in Côte d'Ivoire is usually more comfortable than travel in neighbouring West African countries. The roads are generally in good condition and the bus service is relatively modern. The downside is the very frequent military checkpoints which add hours to a trip. Though the stops are a hassle, Ivorian soldiers tend to be quite professional and don't hassle non-French Western travellers. Soldiers in Ghana, for example, are much more likely to demand a bribe than in Côte d'Ivoire. Most Western governments recommend that their citizens steer clear of Côte d'Ivoire. This should be taken particularly seriously by people who are not travelling on French passports. An Ivorian soldier's attitude towards you will change very quickly when and if you explain that you are not French. Travelling around Abidjan is easiest when you have your own vehicle. The roads are very good and the traffic rules are generally obeyed. Taxis are a great and easy way to get around in Abidjan. Just look for an orange coloured car and flag it down. Fares are very cheap: US$ 2–4 depending on the length of the journey. Always bargain before you get into the taxi. Overall however, they are reasonably priced, unlike in . ## Talk The official language is , which is widely spoken and the main language of most urban areas. There are also around 70 native languages: important ones include Anyin and Baoulé (related to ), Attié, Bété, Dan, Dioula, Guro, and Senari. English is not spoken outside of major international hotels, so basic French proficiency is essential to getting around. ## See Fine beaches, tourist villages, rainforests and wildlife preserves are the principal attractions of Côte d'Ivoire. Taï National Park has the largest tropical rainforest in West Africa. Comoë National Park is the biggest and best-known national park in Côte d'Ivoire. It has plenty of wildlife including birds, elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys and antelopes. ## Do Football: the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations was hosted by Côte d'Ivoire 13 January - 11 February 2024, with 24 national teams participating. Games were played in Abidjan, San-Pédro, Yamoussoukro, Bouaké and Korhogo. The new national stadium, opened in 2020, is Stade Olympique d'Ebimpé (capaity 60,000), and internationals are also played at Stade Félix-Houphouët-Boigny (capacity 50,000); both are in Abidjan. The top tier for club competition is Ligue 1, with 14 teams, and a playing season Oct-May. ## Buy Money The currency of the country is the West African CFA franc, denoted CFA (ISO currency code: XOF). It's also used by seven other West African countries. It is interchangeable at par with the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is used by six countries. Both currencies are fixed at a rate of 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs. ATMs ATMs are generally available at banks in urban areas and accept both Visa and Mastercard. Afriland First Bank seems not to charge a fee for withdrawing money. ## Eat Good eats are cheap and you can find very good restaurants in Abidjan. You should get a vaccine for Hepatitis A before coming but even street foods are fairly clean. Try the national dishes like "garba", "alloco" and "attiéké". Alloco is simply fried plantains, mostly accompanied by a spicy vegetable sauce and boiled eggs. L'attiéké, grated cassava that look like couscous but taste slightly, is often served with grilled fish and vegetables (tomatoes, onions, cucumber) and a must-try. Braised fish and chicken are also very good and can be found on every corner. The most established chain is Coq Ivoire. When you order, make sure that you let them know whether you want the intestines. You can always ask for extra vegetables, especially avocados, which are amazing during the season. Another speciality is the excellent "shoukouilla" a blend of charbroiled meat. For the ones who are not adventurous you can find the Hamburger House or the French restaurant at the Sofitel Hotel. Kedjenou is a spicy stew and is very popular. ## Sleep While food is cheap, accommodation is generally expensive. Fan rooms CFA 6,000+, A/C rooms CFA 10,000+. ## Stay safe Côte d'Ivoire experiences periodic political unrest and violence in northern regions, and it is recommended to contact your embassy or consult other travellers about the present situation prior to travel inland. The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth office as well as the US State Department advises against all but essential travel to the western regions of Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally and Bas-Sassandra of Côte d'Ivoire at this time. Most of the crime committed in Abidjan is by unemployed youth. Should you ever feel in danger it would be wise to seek the help of a middle-aged man. This older generation is often very contemptuous of young criminals and will likely help you out if you are being hassled. Generally Ivorians will recognize the dangers to foreigners in their country and will often be very protective of naïve travellers. This is especially true in the Abidjan neighbourhoods of Treichville and Adjame. On 14 March 2016, militants killed at least 16 people in a gun attack on a Grand Bassam beach resort about 40 km from Abidjan. The attack was claimed by al Qaeda (AQIM). Côte d'Ivoire had been listed as at risk of attack by militants and security had been tightened. If you drive at night do not stop fully at lights or signs. Be aware of car jackers. Keep a brisk pace so they cannot carjack you. Travellers from the West might also want to take a security detail with them when visiting bars and night clubs. ## Stay healthy HIV/AIDS had once reached epidemic proportions in the country but has since seen huge improvements with an adult prevalence of 2.7% as of 2016. is generally not drinkable. Stick to bottled water. ## Respect Although the country has been referred to in English as "Ivory Coast", the country has requested that it be called "Côte d'Ivoire" (the equivalent in French). Pronouncing it "Coat di-VWAR" is close enough for an English-speaking person. Text by Wikivoyage contributors. Article edition: 2026-09-18T21:32:14Z · [Source and revision](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5367022) · [Authors and history](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?title=C%C3%B4te%20d%27Ivoire&action=history) · [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) ## Local food ### Kédjénou Chicken slow-cooked with vegetables. ### Foutou Pounded plantain or yam with sauce. ### Placali Cassava dough with sauces. ### Garba Attiéké accompanied by fried tuna. ## Local drinks ### Bissap Hibiscus drink also found elsewhere in West Africa. Alcohol-free ### Gnamankoudji Intensely flavoured ginger drink. Alcohol-free ### Bangui Traditional palm wine with variable flavour and fermentation. Contains alcohol Plan your itinerary ### Cities Give Abidjan and Grand-Bassam separate days; traffic and transfers matter more than the map suggests. ### Maquis eateries Ask what is ready that day and agree fish size before ordering; side dishes may be priced separately. ### Heritage In Grand-Bassam combine architecture with historical memory and allow time for craft workshops, asking before photographing. ### Lagunes the coastal lagoons area around the de facto capital of Abidjan ### Northern Savanna the largely Muslim area held in the civil war by rebel "New Forces" ### Southwestern Forests the tropical wet forest area inhabited by the Kru people bordering Liberia ### Eastern Plantations the partially cultivated area between Lac de Kossou and the border with Ghana Local reading and routes ### [Abidjan](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-abiyan/) ### [Aboisso](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lagunes#Other_destinations) ### [Assinie](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Assinie) ### [Bingerville](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lagunes#Other_destinations) ### [Dabou](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lagunes#Other_destinations) ### [Grand-Bassam](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/unesco-1322/) ### [Grand-Lahou](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Lagunes#Other_destinations) ### [Bouaké](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bouak%C3%A9) ### [Boundiali](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#Other_destinations) ### [Korhogo](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Korhogo) ### [Odienné](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#Other_destinations) ### [Séguéla](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#Other_destinations) ### [Touba](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#Other_destinations) ### [Comoé National Park](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Como%C3%A9_National_Park) ### [Sudanese-style mosques in northern Côte d'Ivoire](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) Some interesting Sudanese-style mosques, eight of which were listed as a in 2021: ### [Mosquée de Tengréla](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Mosquée de Kouto](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Mosquée de Sorobango](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Mosquée de Samatiguila ou Missiriba](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Mosquée de Nambira](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Grande Mosquée de Kong](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Petite Mosquée de Kong](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Mosquée de Kaouara](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Northern_Savanna#See) ### [Bouaflé](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Daloa](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Danané](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Divo](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Gagnoa](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Guiglo](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Koulikoro](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Southwestern_Forests#Other_destinations) ### [Man](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Man_(Ivory_Coast)) ### [San-Pedro](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/San_Pedro_(C%C3%B4te_d'Ivoire)) port ### [Sassandra](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Sassandra) a charming fishing town with idyllic beaches ### [Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Mount_Nimba_Strict_Nature_Reserve) ### [Taï National Park](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Ta%C3%AF_National_Park) primary tropical rainforest, near Guiglo ### [Yamoussoukro](https://tripguroo.com/en/places/ciudad-yamusukro/) the national capital ### [Abengourou](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Abengourou) the place of residence of the Anyi paramount chief, and a regional centre for trade ### [Agboville](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Eastern_Plantations#Other_destinations) ### [Dimbokro](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Eastern_Plantations#Other_destinations) ### [Soubre](https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/C%C3%B4te_d'Ivoire#Other_destinations) in the southwest, there is many cacao plantations around it/ ## Sources [Côte d’Ivoire Tourisme: gastronomía](https://www.tourismecotedivoire.ci/art-de-vivre-gastro) · [Routard: gastronomía y bebidas](https://www.routard.com/fr/guide/a/gastronomie-ou-manger/afrique/cote-d-ivoire) · [Estudio de bebidas de Daloa](https://www.ijcrbp.com/abstractview.php?ID=608&SNo=1&vol=7-5-2020)Wikivoyage contributors; selection, abridgement, translation and regional planning by TRIPGUROO · CC BY-SA 4.0 [CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) · [Wikivoyage · Côte d'Ivoire](https://en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5367022) [Guides by topic](https://tripguroo.com/en/travel/?view=topics)