Monrovia
Travelers come to Monrovia for its Atlantic beaches, its 1820s founding history and working markets, and as a base for the rest of Liberia.
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Monrovia is the capital and largest city of Liberia, on the Atlantic coast of West Africa. The city sits where the Mesurado River meets the ocean. It was founded in 1822 as a settlement for people who had been freed from slavery in the United States, and it is named for President James Monroe, who supported the colonization effort. Providence Island, at the river mouth, is where the first settlers landed.
Most travelers come for the history, the coast and the markets, or to use the city as a base for trips into the rest of Liberia. The city suits visitors interested in the civil wars and the recovery since 2003. The dry season, roughly November to April, is the most comfortable time to visit, while the rainy season from May to October brings heavy rain. Plan two to four days in the city, and more if you are traveling onward by road.
Monrovia in five
- Get a visa before you flyMost passports need a Liberian visa, so apply through a Liberian embassy or consulate before you book flights. Check the entry rules on the official government page before you apply.
- Carry clean US dollarsUS dollars are used widely in Monrovia alongside Liberian dollars. Bring small, clean notes, because change is often hard to get.
- Book your airport transferRoberts International Airport is at Harbel, about 50 km from Monrovia. Arrange a driver in advance for the trip into the city.
- Use taxis and okadas with a fixed fareShared taxis and motorcycle taxis (okadas) are common and low-cost. Agree the fare before you get on, and ask your hotel to book a driver for night trips.
- Buy a local SIM and save offline mapsOrange and Lonestar Cell MTN sell prepaid SIMs. Coverage can be weak outside central Monrovia, so download offline maps before you leave the airport.Phones and eSIM
Things to do in Monrovia
See all attractions in Monrovia
Need to know
- Currency
- Liberian dollar (LRD) and US dollar (USD), both in use
- Entry
- Visa needed for most passports; check the rules before you fly
- Emergency
- Ask your hotel for the local police number and your embassy's emergency line
- Tipping
- Ask your hotel or driver what is customary before you tip
- Time
- UTC+0, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, dusty
- FebruaryHarmattan haze
- MarchDry season
- AprilHot, dry
- MayRains begin
- JuneRainy season
- JulyHeavy rain
- AugustHeavy rain
- SeptemberRainy, humid
- OctoberRainy season
- NovemberRains ease
- DecemberDry season starts
Right now in Monrovia
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
27
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 86%
Monrovia
01:34 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today29°23°86%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Wed29°23°95%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Thu29°23°83%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Fri30°24°86%Friday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Sat29°24°92%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
- Sun29°25°94%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
Updated 10:48 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 170.5 LRD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Harbelabout 1 hour by road, traffic permittingFirestone's rubber plantation and company town, near the airport.
- Kakataabout 1.5 to 2 hours by roadA market town on the main road north, good for seeing life outside the capital.
- Buchananabout 3 hours by roadThe port city of Grand Bassa County, with beaches and a slower pace.
Before you go to Monrovia
Rules for Monrovia, checked
- Check Liberia's entry rules and security advice on the UK government travel advice page before you fly.Source
- Ask before photographing police, soldiers, checkpoints or government buildings, and stop if you are asked to.
- Ask your doctor about vaccines, and check whether a yellow fever certificate is required for your route.
Plan around Monrovia
Monrovia, the coast and entry basics for the whole country
Read the guideMoney and cardsPaying in US and Liberian dollars, and carrying cash safely
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and how to apply before you fly
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis, okadas and transfers from Roberts International Airport
Read the guideWhere to stayMamba Point, Sinkor and central Monrovia compared
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs and data for maps outside the city centre
Read the guideMonrovia FAQ
Is Monrovia worth visiting?
Yes, for two or three days if you want Liberian history and the Atlantic coast. Providence Island, Capitol Hill and Waterside Market show a good part of the city and its daily life in a short time.
How many days do you need in Monrovia?
Two or three days covers the main areas and one day trip out of the city. Add more if you are working in the city or visiting family.
Is Monrovia safe for tourists?
Check the current advice on the UK or US government travel pages before you go. Ask your hotel which areas to avoid at night and whether to book a driver.
Where should I stay in Monrovia?
Mamba Point for quieter streets near the coast, Sinkor for guesthouses and restaurants, and central Monrovia if you want to walk to the markets.
Can I drink the tap water in Monrovia?
No, not without treating it. Drink bottled or boiled water, and use bottled water to brush your teeth.