Ivory Coast
Côte d'Ivoire combines Abidjan, one of West Africa's most cosmopolitan cities, with palm-fringed Atlantic beaches, rainforest where chimpanzees crack nuts with stones, and Yamoussoukro's Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, which Guinness lists as the world's largest church. Tourism is still modest, so travel here takes French, patience and a decent budget.
Overview
Côte d'Ivoire — the government prefers the French name — divides into a humid, lagoon-laced south, the forested west around Man and Taï, and dry savannah in the north, where Senufo craft villages surround Korhogo. Abidjan, the economic capital, is where almost every trip starts. Most visitors combine the city with the beaches of Assinie and the UNESCO-listed colonial quarter of Grand-Bassam, then take the motorway north to Yamoussoukro's basilica. Those with more time continue to Bouaké and Korhogo, or head west to the green hills and mask traditions of Man.
Abidjan feels big, ambitious and expensive, with Plateau's towers, lagoon bridges and a nightlife soundtracked by coupé-décalé and zouglou at open-air maquis restaurants. Beyond the south-east, tourist infrastructure thins quickly, so many travellers hire a local driver. French is essential and costs run higher than in most neighbouring countries. Few Western holidaymakers visit, which means curiosity rather than hustle in most places. People are often surprised by the quality of the main roads and by the sheer power of the Atlantic surf, which makes many ocean beaches unsafe for swimming.
Map of Ivory Coast
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace
Completed in 1989 in President Houphouët-Boigny's home town, this basilica modelled on St Peter's in Rome is listed by Guinness as the world's largest church. Its dome and vast expanses of French stained glass rise improbably above Yamoussoukro.
- 2History
Grand-Bassam
The first colonial capital, abandoned after a yellow fever epidemic at the end of the 19th century, keeps crumbling arcaded merchant houses in its UNESCO-listed Quartier France, plus a costume museum and a long beach. An easy day trip from Abidjan.
- 3Beach
Assinie
A narrow sand strip between lagoon and ocean east of Grand-Bassam, lined with weekend villas and boutique hotels. Swim in the calm lagoon rather than the Atlantic, where currents are dangerous.
- 4Wildlife
Taï National Park
One of West Africa's largest remaining blocks of primary rainforest, UNESCO-listed and home to pygmy hippos and chimpanzees famous for using stones to crack nuts. Visits must be arranged in advance through the park authority or a specialist operator.
- 5Nature
Man and the Dent de Man
Green hills ring the western city of Man, known for the tooth-shaped Dent de Man peak, a forest waterfall at La Cascade and Dan masked dances. Villages towards Danané string bridges of woven liana across rivers.
Biggest cities
Abidjan
The economic capital sprawls around the Ébrié lagoon: Plateau's skyscrapers, Treichville's markets, Cocody's restaurants and the rainforest of Banco National Park, all within one city.
Bouaké
The second city and heart of Baoulé country, known for its huge central market. Mostly a stopover on the road north, but a lively one.
Korhogo
Capital of Senufo country in the savannah north. Visit nearby craft villages such as Waraniéné for weaving and Fakaha for painted Korhogo cloth.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Ivory Coast
Best time: Dec–Mar.
Average climate in Abidjan
Festivals & events
- Apr–MayFEMUA
Founded by the band Magic System, the Anoumabo urban music festival brings major African stars to Abidjan for a week of concerts each spring.
- Oct–NovAbissa
The N'zima people's week-long festival in Grand-Bassam, combining drumming, dance and a tradition of public mockery in which grievances are aired and then forgiven.
How much does Ivory Coast cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Attiéké with grilled fish
Fermented cassava couscous with a gentle sourness, served with grilled fish or chicken, chopped tomato, onion and fiery chilli.
Kedjenou
Chicken or guinea fowl slow-cooked with vegetables in a sealed clay pot, shaken rather than stirred so it steams in its own juices.
Alloco
Ripe plantain fried in palm oil and served with chilli sauce and onions; an evening street-food staple, often eaten with grilled fish.
Getting around
Air-conditioned coaches run from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro, Bouaké, Korhogo, San-Pédro and Man; stick to established companies. In Abidjan, orange metered taxis, shared woro-woro taxis, lagoon water-buses and ride-hailing apps such as Yango get you around. Domestic flights reach Korhogo and San-Pédro. Hiring a car with a driver is the easiest way to reach parks and remote villages.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CE220V — bring a UK-to-C/E adapter
- Dialling code
- +225
- Time zone
- UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not traditionally expected, but 5–10% in upmarket restaurants and small tips for drivers, guides and hotel porters are appreciated.
- Etiquette
- Greet people properly before any request and shake hands with the right hand. Ask before photographing people, and never photograph military sites, police or government buildings.
- Main airports
- Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ), Abidjan
Visas & entry for Ivory Coast
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to enter Côte d’Ivoire.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseasePolioRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers (usually over 9 months or 1 year old). There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Côte d’Ivoire: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Ivory Coast
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Sun 15 Nov 2026 | National Peace Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Sat 6 Mar 2027 | Day after Night of Power |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| Mon 29 Mar 2027 | Easter Monday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Thu 6 May 2027 | Ascension Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Day after the Eid al-Adha · Pentecost Monday |
| Sat 7 Aug 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Day after Prophet's Birthday |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in French
| English | French | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Bonjour | bon-ZHOOR |
| Thank you | Merci | mair-SEE |
| Please | S'il vous plaît | seel voo PLAY |
| Excuse me | Excusez-moi | ex-koo-zay MWAH |
| How much is this? | C'est combien ? | say kom-BYAN |
Know before you go
- Côte d'Ivoire requires proof of yellow fever vaccination on arrival, so carry your certificate, and check current entry rules on the FCDO travel advice before you fly.
- Carry CFA francs in cash outside Abidjan; card acceptance is patchy. Locals pay by mobile money such as Wave and Orange Money, and euros are easy to exchange.
- The Atlantic has powerful currents along much of the coast. Swim in lagoons, at guarded beaches, or only where locals confirm it is safe.
Ivory Coast travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Ivory Coast?
The best time to visit Ivory Coast is generally Dec–Mar. Peak months are January, February, March and December. Average highs in Abidjan range from 27°C to 32°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Ivory Coast cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £100 mid-range and £220+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Ivory Coast?
West African CFA franc (XOF).
What plug type does Ivory Coast use?
Type C and E sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Ivory Coast?
Traffic drives on the right in Ivory Coast, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Ivory Coast?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Ivory Coast?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to enter Côte d’Ivoire. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Ivory Coast before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cote-d-ivoire/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Ivory Coast?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Polio sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
