Ivory Coast: Overview
The fascinating République of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is located in western Africa, sharing borders with Mali and Burkina Faso to the north, with Guinea and Liberia to the west, with the Gulf of Guinea to the south and with Ghana to the east.
The main attractiveness of this country are its people and the fact that this is one of African culture most important centres. But there is more, Ivory Coast also has beautiful landscapes, as those of the mountainous Man, the beautiful region of Senoufo, Comoë National Park and the beaches and fishing villages of Sassandra.
Climate
The coastal region, where the average temperature is 23-27 ºC, is dry during most of the year, except from mid-May to mid-July, the rainy season. In the wooded and central areas of the country humidity and rains are constant during the whole year. The hottest region is the one located in the northern savannah, where temperatures can rise to 32 ºC and where the wet season goes from June to October.
Important Information
Entry requirements for all visitors, except for Americans, are a visa and a valid passport. You also need an onward return ticket and lodging reservations for your stay.
The official currency is the franc (CFA). In 2004 new notes have been emitted by the Banque des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest, the previous ones are no longer valid. The few ATMs in Abidjan accept only Visa cards. Be careful when using ATMs, look for the ones which are guarded. The main hotels and restaurants operate with credit cards, but almost every shop expects cash. Traveller’s cheques are only accepted in banks and tourist oriented hotels and restaurants.
In most countries a percentage for service is added in hotels’ and restaurants’ bills. If service is not included, a 10-15% tip will do. Taxis expect a 10%. Although this is also possible in the African system, the custom of leaving a cadeau (gift), if you are a visitor, is much more extended.
In Ivory Coast are several health problems and a yellow fever vaccine is required and will be verified by the immigration officials on arriving at the airport. Other ones that you ought to consider when travelling to African countries are typhus, hepatitis A, B and C and tuberculosis vaccines. Cholera is a risk in rural areas, while malaria, dengue and Ebola have spread even in urban areas. HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases are also widely extended in the African continent. In Abidjan several cases of bird flu have been confirmed and, although cases in humans have not been reported, it is recommended to avoid close contact with live birds and to cook very well every dish containing poultry or eggs. You must sterilize water before dinking it and boil milk, since it is not pasteurized. For the same reason it is recommended to avoid dairies. Also to prevent illnesses during your trip, make sure that meat is well cooked and eat it hot; cook or peel fruits and vegetables before consuming them. Medical facilities in Abidjan are standard, but private care is very expensive. You are strongly advised not to travel without hiring a medical insurance with provision for repatriation.
Nowadays there are many issues concerning security in Ivory Coast and most governments advise against travelling here unless there is no way of avoiding the visit. If you are determined to travel to the country, you must be extremely careful due to strong anti-western feelings, the unstable political situation and unpredictable incidents. Violent crime rate has increased during the past years and armed robberies to people and restaurants, carjacks, and breaking-ins are frequent. The evening rush hour is particularly dangerous in Charles de Gaulle Bridge in Abidjan. Visitors must meticulously respect the numerous police and military controls. Police and security forces can be excitable and undisciplined. You should be been extremely cautious in the north and the west areas of the country, where many conflicts have been reported. Trips to 18 Montagnes and Moyen-Cavally should be avoided. Be particularly careful in the area among Duékoué and Odienne, frequented by unpredictable armed criminal, often under the influence of drugs or alcohol. In Abidjan airport is necessary to be careful with the touts and con-men, always in the search for new victims. Those on foot should avoid the lagoon bridges. Taxis must be orange and metered, otherwise, do not trust them. Buses are always too crowded, so it is better to avoid them. The sea is dangerous and, due to strong marine currents, drownings are frequent.
There are some customs you have to respect. Photographing military or government facilities is forbidden. Homosexuality is illegal. Men and women must be properly dressed. Shorts, tight clothes and tops or strapless are appropriate outside the beach.
Where to go
Yamussukro, the capital of the country, located 200km from Abidjan and it has been repaired in the past years. Notre Dame de la Paix, replica of San Pedro in Rome, is one of the places that cannot miss.
The great metropolis of Abidjan, also known as the Western Africa Paris has gain importance when the French finished Virdi bridge joining the lagoon with the ocean. Some of the places that you can visit here are the luxurious neighbourhood Le Plateau and Cocody, the elegant residential area where the famous one Hotel Ivoire is. United by a bridge to Le Palteau is Treichville, a more humble, but extremely interesting district, full of night clubs. From St. Paul cathedral’s bell tower you will have a privileged view of the city and its surroundings. In the north-occidental area you can go to Parc du Bank, a beautiful tropical reservation, where you can visit the picturesque outdoor laundry.
Taï National Park is one of the last virgin forest areas in Africa. Walking between the high trees and lianas while listening to the sound of creeks and enjoying the charming fauna, is an unforgettable experience. To visit the park you need a permit from the Ministry of Waters and forests of Abidjan and you should go between December and February, the dry season months.
Man, located in the centre and west area of the country, is a chain of mountains of wild vegetation. In this region you can visit the market in the city of Man, La Cascade, in the bamboo forest located 5 km from the town; the mount Tonkoui valley from which top you can see a part of Liberia and Guinea; the dent de Man, a steep mountain resembling a tooth, guardian of the region; and the towns of Biankouma, Gouéssésso, Sipitou and Danané, located to the north.
Festivals
These are some of the main festivities of Ivory Coast. Masks Party (Fête des Masques) takes place in the villages of Man in February with the performance of yacuba dancers wearing their traditional masks. Bouaké Carnival, in March, and Fête du Dipri celebrated in Gomon in April, are also worth seeing. This last party begins at midnight with the stealthy exit of nude women and children from their cabins to perform exorcism rituals in the village. Before the dawn the boss appears among resounding drums and in-trance people. Everything lasts until the next sunset. Ramadan takes place around December with a hole month of fasting during sunlight hours and concluding with the great Eid al-Fitr, when people gather to pray and celebrate in fests with friends and family.
