Travel advisory · Burkina FasoGovernments advise against all travel to Burkina Faso.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- National parks · avoid all travel · Germany, France
- Ouagadougou–Bobo-Dioulasso road (N1) · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, France
- Wildlife reserves and hunting concessions · avoid all travel · Germany, France
- Burkina Faso outside Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain
Also named by one government: All border zones (Spain), Bazoulé sacred crocodile site (France), Capital periphery (France), Classified forests (France), Diapaga (Tapoa) (Spain), Gourma (Spain), Kénédugu (Guiriko) (Spain), Kopienga (Goulmou) (Spain), Kossi (Spain), Kulpélogo (Nakambe) (Spain), Liptako (Spain), Lorum (Spain), Military restricted zone along the Mali border (Germany), North of Ouahigouya–Bogandé axis (Spain), Sourou (Spain), Titao (Yaagda) (Spain), Yatenga (Spain), Ziniaré archaeological site (France)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | advises against all travel | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Level 4: Do Not Travel | May 4, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Erhöhte Vorsicht in Ouagadougou und Bobo-Dioulasso; Warnung vor Reisen in den übrigen Landesteil (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel (level 4 of 4) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Tout déplacement formellement déconseillé sur l'ensemble du territoire | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Ouagadougou
Come for Mossi royal traditions, craft workshops and the biennial FESPACO film festival in Burkina Faso's capital.
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Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa, and the center of its government, universities and arts scene. The city grew around the court of the Mossi people, whose ruler, the Moro-Naba, still holds ceremonies at his palace downtown. Visitors come for that court tradition, the craft workshops and markets, and FESPACO, the biennial film festival held in odd-numbered years.
It suits a short, focused trip of two or three days, with more time if you plan around FESPACO's dates. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the easier time to walk between sites, though March and April are very hot. The rains come from about June to September. Plan it as a city trip, and book onward transport before you arrive, since the capital is a base for the rest of the country.
Ouagadougou in five
- Set up Orange Money or Moov MoneyOrange Money and Moov Money are mobile money services in Burkina Faso. You need a local SIM to use either.Phones and eSIM
- Carry CFA francs in cashThe West African CFA franc (XOF) is used across Burkina Faso, and cards are mainly accepted at larger hotels. Keep small notes for taxis, markets and street food.Money and costs
- Greet people before you ask for anythingShopkeepers and taxi drivers expect a greeting and a few questions about how you are before any business starts. Learn bonjour and ça va, and use them every time.
- Check your government's travel advice firstAdvice on Burkina Faso changes, and some regions carry higher risk than the capital. Read it before you book, and confirm your travel insurance covers the places on your route.Travel insurance
- Agree the taxi fare before you get inAgree the fare with the driver before you set off. Ask your hotel what a normal fare to your destination is, so you know when a price is too high.
Things to do in Ouagadougou
See all attractions in Ouagadougou
Need to know
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Entry
- Visa needed by many passports; check yours before you fly
- Emergency
- 17 police, 18 fire service
- Tipping
- Not expected; small change for guides is welcome
- Time
- UTC+0, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCool, dry
- FebruaryDusty, warming
- MarchHeat builds
- AprilVery hot
- MayFirst rains
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRainy season
- AugustPeak rain
- SeptemberGreen, humid
- OctoberPost-rain, humid
- NovemberDry, cooler
- DecemberDry, dusty
Right now in Ouagadougou
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
38
- Feels like
- 35°
- Humidity
- 14%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Ouagadougou
08:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today39°27°2%Monday: Clear. High 39°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue38°27°4%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 38°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Wed39°27°2%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Thu39°27°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Fri39°24°0%Friday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sat39°24°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 39°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun38°25°0%Sunday: Clear. High 38°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 05:57 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XOF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Loumbila lakeabout 45 min by roadA lake close to the capital, a simple escape for a relaxed afternoon.
- Bobo-Dioulassoabout 4 to 6 hours by roadThe second city, known for its old quarters and its mud-brick Grand Mosque.
- Tiébéléabout 3 to 4 hours by roadVillage compounds decorated with painted geometric patterns by the Kassena people.
Before you go to Ouagadougou
Rules for Ouagadougou, checked
- Entry rules depend on your passport, so check visa needs with the Burkina Faso embassy or consulate in your country before you book.
- Ask about yellow fever certificate rules before you travel, since some travelers are asked to show proof of vaccination at the border.
- Ask before you photograph people, police posts or government buildings, and respect a no-photo request.
Plan around Ouagadougou
Cities, roads and entry rules for the whole country
Read the guideMoney and costsPaying in CFA francs and using mobile money
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need a visa before you fly
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, buses and day trips from the capital
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses in the center and Ouaga 2000
Read the guideFestivals and eventsFilm and music festivals, with FESPACO in odd years
Read the guideOuagadougou FAQ
Is Ouagadougou safe to visit?
It depends on the date and your route, so read your government's current travel advice before you book. Stay in well-known areas, agree a taxi fare in advance, and get local advice before travelling outside the capital.
How many days do you need in Ouagadougou?
Two to three days covers the big markets, the national museum and the film and music scene. Add a day trip to Loumbila lake or Bobo-Dioulasso if you have time.
What language is spoken in Ouagadougou?
French is the official language, and most signs and menus use it. Mooré is also spoken in the city, and a few greetings in it are appreciated.
Do I need cash in Ouagadougou?
Yes, for most small purchases, taxis and markets. Cards work mainly at larger hotels, so carry CFA francs and use mobile money where shops accept it.
When is FESPACO in Ouagadougou?
FESPACO, the African film festival, is held every two years in odd-numbered years, usually in late February or early March. Check the official dates before you plan, since they change.
How do you get from the airport to the city?
Arrange a hotel pickup, or a taxi you agreed on before you land. Ask your hotel for its airport transfer rate before you book.