Travel advisory · Côte d'IvoireSome governments advise against travel to parts of Côte d'Ivoire.The warnings cover only these areas: 40 km strip along the Mali and Burkina Faso borders, Comoé National Park, Northern Zanzan province, Savanes province, Cavally region, Grabo, Liberia border zone, Northern border with Mali and Burkina Faso, Tabou, Taï.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- 40 km strip along the Mali and Burkina Faso borders · avoid all travel · New Zealand, UK
- Comoé National Park · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Northern Zanzan province · avoid all travel · Spain, France, New Zealand, UK
- Savanes province · avoid all travel · New Zealand, UK
- Cavally region · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, New Zealand
- Grabo · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Liberia border zone · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Northern border with Mali and Burkina Faso · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Italy
- Tabou · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
- Taï · avoid non-essential travel · Spain, France
Also named by one government: 50 km strip along the Mali and Burkina Faso borders (Canada), Bouna (Germany), Eastern Savanes district (France), Mali and Burkina Faso border zone (France), Northeast border area (Germany), 20 km strip along the Liberian border (UK), Bas Sassandra (Italy), Dix-Huit Montagnes (Italy), Guémon region (New Zealand), Haut Sassandra (Italy), Moyen-Cavally (Italy), Northern Denguélé region (Spain), Northern Savanes (Spain), San Pedro region (New Zealand), Tonkpi region (New Zealand)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution | Feb 18, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution overall (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (reste du pays) (regional advisories) | – | 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.
Côte d'Ivoire
Lagoons, rainforest parks, Atlantic beaches and a French colonial past make Côte d'Ivoire a West African trip for travelers who want city life and wildlife in one country.
Côte d'Ivoire, also called Ivory Coast, is a country on West Africa's southern coast, facing the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean. Abidjan is the largest city and main economic center, with a major port and most state institutions. Yamoussoukro, in the center of the country, has been the official political capital since 1983, and it is home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace. Grand-Bassam, on the coast, was the first capital of the French colony and keeps its colonial past.
Travelers come for the city, the coast and the wildlife. About 520 km of sandy Atlantic beaches run along the south, though strong ocean swells make swimming hard in many places. Comoé National Park, one of Africa's largest protected areas, has antelope, buffalo, elephants, hippos and lions. Food is a draw too, from attiéké and alloco to kedjenou eaten at a maquis. The main dry season in the south runs from December to April, which suits a coast and park trip. Allow at least a week for Abidjan, the coast and one park.
Five things to know before Côte d'Ivoire
- Apply for the e-Visa at least 10 working days ahead
UK passport holders need a visa, applied for and paid online at least 10 working days before travel and collected on arrival at Abidjan airport, where biometrics are taken. Check other passports on the official e-Visa site. Visas and entry
- Carry your yellow fever certificate
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter Côte d'Ivoire. Keep it with your passport.
- Swim only on guarded beaches
Atlantic currents at Grand-Bassam and Assinie are strong and drownings happen every year. Swim where locals do and stay out when flags are up.
- Check advice for the north and west borders
The UK advises against all travel within 40 km of the Burkina Faso and Mali borders, including Comoé National Park, and all but essential travel near Liberia. UK travel advice
- Use metered taxis or ride-hailing in Abidjan
Orange taxis in Abidjan should run the meter, and ride-hailing apps work in the city. Agree fares for woro-woro shared taxis before you get in.
Côte d'Ivoire travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The e-Visa, airport collection and yellow fever proof.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover for West Africa and beach activities.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData in Abidjan and across the south.
Read the guideMoney and cardsCFA francs, ATMs in Abidjan and cash elsewhere.
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, ride-hailing and intercity buses.
Read the guideWhere to stayWhere to base yourself in Abidjan and on the coast.
Read the guide
Destinations in Côte d'Ivoire
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear3 rainy daysHigh35°Low22°Dry, harmattanJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, harmattan
- FebruaryClear6 rainy daysHigh36°Low23°Dry, hotFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 36°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MarchRain19 rainy daysHigh35°Low24°Hot, humidMarchRain
Best
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 127 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AprilRain19 rainy daysHigh34°Low24°Rains startAprilRain
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 140 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- MayRain22 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°Long rainsMayRain
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 152 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long rains
- JuneRain23 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°WettestJuneRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- JulyRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°RainyJulyRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 125 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain21 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Short dry spellAugustRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 186 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low21°Short dry spellSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 21°
- Precipitation
- 238 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- OctoberRain24 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Short rainsOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 190 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- NovemberRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low22°Short rainsNovemberRain
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 73 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- DecemberClear5 rainy daysHigh34°Low22°DryDecemberClear
Best
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
Average daily high and low in Abidjan, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Côte d'Ivoire
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
31
- Feels like
- 34°
- Humidity
- 62%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 81%
Côte d'Ivoire
08:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°23°81%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Tue31°23°88%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Wed30°23°61%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 61%.
- Thu31°23°33%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Fri32°23°18%Friday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat31°23°12%Saturday: Fog. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Sun32°23°24%Sunday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 24%.
Updated 06:00 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
Côte d'Ivoire FAQ
Do I need a visa for Côte d'Ivoire?
UK passport holders do. Apply and pay for the e-Visa online at least 10 working days before travel and collect it on arrival at Abidjan airport. Check the rule for other passports on the official e-Visa site.
What is the capital of Côte d'Ivoire?
Yamoussoukro is the official capital, but Abidjan is the economic center and where international flights arrive.
When is the best time to visit Côte d'Ivoire?
December to March, the main dry season. The long rains peak in May and June.
Is Grand-Bassam worth visiting?
Yes, as a day trip or overnight from Abidjan: the old colonial quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Be careful swimming, as currents are strong.
Can I use cards in Côte d'Ivoire?
In larger hotels, restaurants and supermarkets in Abidjan. Elsewhere, pay in CFA francs cash; mobile money is widely used by locals.