Buchanan
Buchanan is a port city on Liberia's Atlantic coast, about 100 kilometers southeast of Monrovia. Go for the working waterfront and a quieter pace than the capital.
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Buchanan is a port city on Liberia's Atlantic coast and the seat of Grand Bassa County, about 100 kilometers southeast of Monrovia. The city grew around its harbor, and iron ore shipping still runs through it, so cargo ships and fishing boats share the same waterfront. It is a quieter base than the capital and a useful look at the coast beyond Monrovia.
Buchanan suits travelers who want a quiet stop on the coast rather than a resort town. Services are limited, so arrange lodging, transport and cash before you leave Monrovia. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most practical time to visit. From May to October, heavy rain brings muddy roads and can slow travel. Check road conditions with your driver or hotel before you set out. Plan longer road legs in daylight.
Buchanan in five
- Get your visa sorted before you flyMost passports need a visa for Liberia, but ECOWAS citizens do not. Check the rule for your passport with a Liberian embassy or consulate before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Carry proof of yellow fever vaccinationEntry rules can ask for a yellow fever certificate. Keep the card in your hand luggage, not the hold, and confirm the requirement with the embassy.
- Carry clean US dollars in small notesUS dollars circulate alongside the Liberian dollar. Bring undamaged notes, since torn or marked bills may be refused.Money and cards
- Set up a SIM or eSIM before you arriveTest your phone's network in town and on the road before you rely on it. Download offline maps for the stretches where signal drops.Phones and eSIM
- Schedule road legs to arrive before darkNight driving on rural roads is risky, and conditions shift in the rainy season. Plan longer legs for daylight.Getting around
Need to know
- Currency
- Liberian dollar (LRD); US dollars also widely used
- Entry
- Visa needed for most passports; ECOWAS citizens exempt
- Emergency
- Confirm police and ambulance numbers with your hotel or embassy
- Tipping
- Ask locally; no standard rate confirmed
- Time
- UTC+0, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, dusty haze
- FebruaryDry, hot
- MarchDry, warm
- AprilRains returning
- MayRainy season
- JuneHeavy rain
- JulyHeavy rain
- AugustHeavy rain
- SeptemberRainy season
- OctoberRain easing
- NovemberDry season starts
- DecemberDry, harmattan dust
Right now in Buchanan
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 98%
- Wind
- 7 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 93%
Buchanan
12:51 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today28°22°93%Tuesday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Wed30°23°98%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 98%.
- Thu30°23°92%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Fri30°23°96%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat30°23°94%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Sun31°23°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 08:30 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 170.5 LRD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Buchanan
Rules for Buchanan, checked
- Check the visa rule for your passport with a Liberian embassy or consulate before you fly.
- Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination if the entry rules ask for it, and confirm the requirement before you travel.
- Bring undamaged US dollar notes. The Liberian dollar and the US dollar both circulate, and small bills help with everyday purchases.
Plan around Buchanan
The country, its regions and where Buchanan fits in a trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you fly
Read the guideMoney and cardsUsing US dollars and Liberian dollars in town
Read the guideGetting aroundRoad and local transport options from Monrovia and back
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans and checking coverage on your route
Read the guideWhere to stayPlaces to sleep in and around Buchanan
Read the guideBuchanan FAQ
Is Buchanan worth visiting?
Yes, if you have a reason to be there, such as work, family or a port visit. It is a small port town, so it works best as one stop in a wider trip through Liberia.
How do I get to Buchanan from Monrovia?
By road, about 100 kilometers from Monrovia. Confirm current road conditions and travel time with your driver or hotel before you set out.
Do I need a visa for Liberia?
Most passports need one, and ECOWAS citizens do not. Check with a Liberian embassy or consulate before you fly, since the rules change.
What currency is used in Buchanan?
The Liberian dollar (LRD), and US dollars are widely accepted. Bring small, clean US notes for everyday purchases.
Is there mobile coverage in Buchanan?
Check coverage with your network provider before you travel. Coverage can thin on rural roads, so download offline maps before you leave.