Ivory Coast

Eco-friendly travel guide to Ivory Coast advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Ivory Coast, Africa.

City view of Abidjan

Air quality: 3.8 / 5

Bus connections: 3.9 / 5

Train connections: 3.8 / 5

Hitchhiking: 3.9 / 5

National parks: 4 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.9 / 5

Locals' English level: 3.8 / 5

Safety: 4 / 5

Accommodation: US$1500 - $1800

Budget per day: US$1300 - $1400

Responsible Travel

Eco-friendly travel guide to Ivory Coast advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally-owned hotels, organic restaurants, and other businesses. Also known as Cote d’Ivoire, this is a West African country with beaches, rainforests, resorts, and a French-colonial legacy. It borders Guinea to the northwest, Liberia to the west, Mali to the northwest, Burkina Faso to the northeast, Ghana to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea (Atlantic Ocean) to the south. Ivory Coast's political capital is Yamoussoukro in the center of the country, while its economic capital and largest city is the port city of Abidjan. Its modern landmarks include ziggurat-like, concrete LA Pyramide and St. Paul’s Cathedral, a swooping structure tethered to a massive cross. North of the central business district, Banco National Park is a rainforest preserve with hiking trails. For more than three decades after its independence from France, Ivory Coast was known for its religious and ethnic harmony, as well as its well-developed economy. The Western African country was hailed as a model of stability. The country boasts three more UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the shape of the historic town of Grand-Bassam, once a colonial trading post; Comoe National Park, one of the largest protected areas in West Africa; and Tai National Park, home to 11 species of monkeys. The country has large populations of adherents of Christianity, Islam, and various indigenous religions.

Choosing the right transport method: A major part of your travel experience includes discovering every nook and cranny of the city. While you will have transport options like private cars and taxis at your disposal you need to know that not only do they contribute to more congestion and traffic pollution but also emit harmful gases into the environment. So, choose options like walking, cycling, electronic and public transportation in general.
Trying local food: A huge part of the local culture is the traditional food that is offered at the local traditional restaurants and by street food vendors. Instead of just sticking to international fast food franchises that contribute to so much waste being produced in the world, you should try the local options. Not only will it help the local economy but also will directly help the families whose sole source of earning are these small food businesses.
Do not throw waste: As an eco-friendly traveler, you need to promote sustainable living as much as possible in the city to motivate not only fellow tourists but local people. When you visit any tourists attractions especially city parks, make sure you do not throw any food wrapper and do not just stop at that but if you see any trash, pick it up and throw it in the dustbin. It might look like a very small thing to do but has a huge impact on people watching especially the children present in the park since they learn and mimic the behaviour of other people around them.
Choose a green hotel: Plenty of accommodations are available in the city that provide you with a top-notch experience but instead of choosing them, you can pick green hotels for your stay. They use eco-friendly measures to reduce the pollution and waste of the city. This is one of the great ways to contribute towards the city to keep it safe and clean.
Shop local: In order to support local craftsmen and artisans always shop local. During your trip to the city, you will come across small shops and food stalls in almost every lane of the city. If you want to have an unforgettable experience in the city, then buy goods and handicrafts from these shops. This will not only help you to save a lot of money but you will be supporting a lot of local people who are dependent on their small businesses to earn a livelihood.
Keep the beaches clean: Picking up after yourself on the beach should go without saying, but just take a look around the sand the next time you're by the shore—obviously someone didn't get the memo. Stray bottles, cans, bags, and napkins can be ubiquitous along waterways, and even just one piece of litter can pose a problem. This garbage can be picked up by the wind, get stuck around the necks of birds and other animals, and carried back out to sea by the tides. Keep anyone in your party accountable for their messes, and if you encounter some trash that isn't yours, pick it up anyway and throw it away.

Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality of Bhutan is moderate. There are some regions in the country that has high pollution level. Hence, the government has taken certain actions ever since these problems started to grow. This impure air quality causes a big threat to the health of people. The rate of pollution keeps on fluctuating every day. Therefore, the group of authorities is motivating the people to hand out their role to improve the air quality by using low fuel-based machines, and imply the same for the means of transports as well. These official body has also taken important guidelines to reduce the number of running such gadgets that extends the pollution rate. By applying these measures, they have handled the situation and managed to control the impure air quality to a certain level. The climate of the Ivory Coast is generally warm and humid, ranging from equatorial in the southern coasts to tropical in the middle and semiarid in the far north. There are three seasons: warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), and hot and wet (June to October). Ivory Coast is part of the West Sudanian Savanna ecoregion of the Tropical and subtropical grasslands, savannas, and shrublands biome. It is a zone of lateritic or sandy soils, with vegetation decreasing from south to north.

Respect the Culture

The diversity of culture in Ivory Coast is truly remarkable, with over 60 indigenous ethnic groups each with their own unique traditions. Different regions of the country have distinct music, art, festivals, and languages. French, the official language, is taught in schools and serves as a lingua franca in the country. It is estimated that 70 languages are spoken on Ivory Coast. One of the most common is Dyula, which acts as a trade language, as well as a language commonly spoken by the Muslim population. The traditional music style of many of the ethnic groups of Ivory Coast is characterized by a series of rhythms and melodies that occur simultaneously, without one dominating the other. Music is used in many aspects of the culture; the Dan celebrate rice, death, marriage, birth, and weather all with music. Each of the ethnic groups in Ivory Coast has its own music genres, most showing strong vocal polyphony. Talking drums are also common, especially among the Appolo, and polyrhythms, another African characteristic, are found throughout Ivory Coast and are especially common in the southwest. Popular music genres from Ivory Coast include zoblazo, zouglou, and Coupe-Decale. The Fetes des Masques (Festival of Masks) held in December in the region of Man is one of Ivory Coast's biggest and best-known festivals. Competitions between villages are held to find the best dancers and to pay homage to the forest spirits embodied in the elaborate masks. Another important event is the week-long carnival in Bouake each March. In April, there is the Fete du Dipri. The primary Muslim holiday is Ramadan, a month when everyone fasts between sunrise and sunset, following the fourth pillar of Islam. Ramadan ends with a huge feast, Eid al-Fitr, where everyone prays together, visits friends, gives presents and eats.

Top 10 Places to Visit

As known that Ivory Coast is one of the best cities for tourist attractions. It holds several sites of attractions and people love to visit the place. It is because there you will get some beautiful spots that have the most attractive views for your holiday trip. Read further to know about some of the interesting spots that are worth visiting, during your tour to the city.

Tai National Park – This national park in Cote d’Ivoire contains one of the last areas of primary rainforest in West Africa. It was inscribed as a World Heritage Site due to the breadth of its flora and fauna. Five mammal species of the Tai National Park are on the Red List of Threatened Species that include pygmy hippopotamus, olive colobus, chimpanzees, monkeys, leopards, and Jentink's duiker. The Tai Forest is a natural reservoir of the Ebola virus. The World Health Organization has expressed concern over the proximity of this reservoir to the International Airport at Abidjan.
St. Paul’s Cathedral – This is a Roman Catholic cathedral located in the city of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. The cathedral, which was designed by architect Aldo Spirito, serves as the mother church for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Abidjan. It is one of the largest cathedrals in the world. Architecturally, the cathedral is unique and modern, though built to meet the specific aspirations of the ethnic people of Côte d'Ivoire. The striking external feature of the cathedral which attracts visitors at the entrance itself is the tall concrete structure which is shaped like an anthropomorphic giant.
Assagny National Park – This is a national park in the south of the Ivory Coast. It is situated on the coast to the west of Abidjan, between the mouth of the Bandama River and the Ebrie Lagoon. The park is surrounded by slightly higher ground and consists of a broad, often waterlogged, basin in which the water level fluctuates. The main trees present in the swamps are Rhizophora racemosa and Avicennia germinans, along with many palms including Phoenix reclinata, Borassus aethiopum, and Raphia, as well as a variety of swamp vegetation including Echinochloa pyramidalis. There are elephants, chimpanzees, and many species of monkeys in the forests, as well as bushpigs and African forest buffalos. All three species of West African crocodile occur here, but in low numbers and the African manatee occurs in the Ebrie Lagoon.
Abidjan National Zoo – Perched on a picturesque hillside, Abidjan National Zoo features coconut palms, rubber trees, and mango trees, which flank walkways and enclosures of the zoo. Elephants, pigmy hippos, lions, monitor lizards, pythons, ostriches, monkeys, and a variety of crocodiles are only some of about 30 species that make their home here.
Comoe National Park – This is a Biosphere Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Zanzan and Savanes Districts of the north-eastern Ivory Coast. It is the largest protected area in West Africa and ranges from the humid Guinea savanna to the dry Sudanian zone. Some animal and plant species even find their last sanctuary in some of the different savanna types, gallery forests, riparian grasslands, rock outcrops, or forest islands. The park was initially added as a World Heritage Site due to the diversity of plant life present around the Comoe River, including pristine patches of tropical rain forest that are usually only found further south.
Iles Ehotiles National Park – This national park of the Ivory Coast in the Sud-Comoe region, consists of a group of low islands and the intervening channels that separate Aby Lagoon from the Atlantic Ocean. The vegetation of the islands is very varied for such a small area; the coastal zone is mostly dominated by mangroves, and the interior is largely tropical forest with a dense understory. Resident species include the little grebe, African darter, reed cormorant, cattle egret, squacco heron, striated heron, western reef heron, black-crowned night heron, woolly-necked stork, and white-faced whistling duck. The park is also home to mammals typically inhabiting forest zones.
Two Mosques of Kong – The two mosques built in Sudanese architectural style, made of ocher-colored clay – the small Barrola mosque and the large mosque of Kong or Missiriba. The Kong Mosque or Grand Mosque of Kong, called Missiriba, was built in neo-Sudanese style, using mud and logs; it is the oldest symbol of the Islamization of the populations of the Northern Ivory Coast and has maintained its function as a place of prayer and assembly. The Sudanese mosques are mainly composed of a prayer hall that is the main central space, to which is added the mihrab located in the minaret tower and facing the Mecca. The prayer room is mainly rectangular or squared; men pray to the East and women to the West; women also have a private entrance that is different from that of men.
Assini Beach – Assini is located east of Abidjan along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea. The mouth of the lagoon marks the end of the Asinine-Mafia peninsula is called La Passe where the high-rise resort and the smoking of tchoukourou are very popular. Assini beach Ivory Coast was the third-largest port in Ivory Coast. This beach is located right next to the historical sites of Ancient Assini. It is in close proximity to Tolo and is one of the best Ivory Coast beaches. A lot of sports are played here.
Basilica of Our Lady of Peace – This is a Catholic minor basilica dedicated to Our Lady of Peace in Yamoussoukro, the administrative capital of Ivory Coast. The designs of the dome and encircled plaza are clearly inspired by the Basilica of Saint Peter in Vatican City, although it is not an outright replica. Guinness World Records lists it as the largest church in the world. The basilica is constructed with marble imported from Italy and is furnished with contemporary stained glass from France.
La Cascade Waterfall – This is the main attraction around Man. It is a large rocky outcrop that overlooks the town known as the La Dent de Man (the tooth of Man), and the monkey forest. La Cascade waterfall is situated on the west side of the town and is surrounded by a bamboo forest, which is the habitat of many colorful dragonflies and a wide variety of butterflies. The monkey forest is a wooded area in which monkeys live; for a small fee, tourists can persuade local residents to call the monkeys out of their forest habitat.

Tai National Park

Explore

Above are the mentioned top ten tourist attractions, which you can opt to pay a visit while traveling to Ivory Coast. In addition, there are some other places in the city like parks and museums that you can consider checking out during your tour in the city. Here is a list of such places that you can explore.

City Parks

Bingerville Botanical Garden – This small garden, dating back to the colonial era, helps you to discover plants, insects, reptiles, and small mammals that are native to Ivory Coast. Strolling down the shady paths, meandering through creaking bamboo clumps to observe different species of trees and flowers will give you the experience of fresh nature with the calmness and peace from the busy city hustle.
Doraville – This amusement park in Abidjan has always been the most attractive spot for the natives of Abidjan as well as for tourists. There are a lot of fun things to do in this park. Riding on the horse and car is loved by both children and adults. The park offers various games that can be enjoyed by the kids with their parents. You can enjoy playing games and can also spend a great time in the swimming pools that are connected with rides too.

National Parks

Banco National Park – This is a national park in Cote d’Ivoire located along Highway North in the district of Attecoube (Abidjan). It is an example of a primary forest, with species become rare wood. It protects the rare flora and fauna of the country. Primary forests with tropical hardwood trees like teak are found here. The fauna found at the Banco National Park includes African civet, duiker, bushbuck, genet, monkeys, etc. The residents of the city treat the park as their primary recreational area. Tracks for walkers have been upgraded and many hotels of all categories will allow easy accommodation.
Marahoue National Park – This Park is located in Sassandra-Marahoue District in central Ivory Coast, to the west of the town of Bouafle. Part of the eastern boundary is formed by the Marahoue River, a tributary of the Bandama River. The terrain consists of low hills and intervening valleys. The park is on the boundary between forested areas and wooded savanna and the habitats in the park include gallery forests, forest remnant patches, savannas with scattered trees, and wetlands around pools and watercourses.

Banco National Park

Beaches

Monogaga Beach – Located in the same-titled village, between San Pedro and Sassandra, is a tropical beach with white sand, one of the best on Ivory Coast. This beach is very popular with local people and tourists, who come here to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and picturesque nature, practice surfing and diving, or just to sunbathe and swim in turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean, play beach volleyball.
Sassandra Beach – Situated in Ivory Coast, this is considered as one of the Ivory Coast best beaches. It is formed due to the river Sassandra of western Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa. This river is formed by the confluence of the Tienba River, which originates in the highlands of north-western Cote d’Ivoire, and the Guan River. This beach is known for the lighthouses that are built along the coastline.

Sassandra Beach

Landmarks

Ahouakro – The archaeological park of Ahouakro is located in the northern Tiassale Department, Cote d’Ivoire. This houses many magmatic megaliths, or large rock formations, that the local people have personified with human characters. Archaeological finds in the park include stone sharpening tools and Neolithic period rock art. This site was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List in the Mixed (Cultural & Natural) category.
Palace of Culture – This is a temple of culture in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. The building is situated between the Houphouet-Boigny Bridge and the General de Gaulle Bridge. Culture Palace of Abidjan, with a capacity of 9,400 people, was bestowed to the Ivorian government as a gift from China and was inaugurated in the year 1999. The first Fokker F27 Friendship airplane of Ivory Coast, which has the capacity to hold 16 persons, is transformed into a library for children’s books and annex events.

Ahouakro

Museums

Museums of Civilization of Cote d’Ivoire – This museum in Ivory Coast, is located in Plateau, Abidjan. It is made up of the main building that is used as exhibition halls; a U-shaped building housing offices and the reserve collection; and a rectangular main storage building. The museum’s collections encompass the material culture of the country including masks, furniture, utensils, statutes, archaeological objects, textiles, musical instruments, contemporary, and other works.
National Costume Museum – This museum is located in Ivory Coast. It is situated in Grand-Bassam, Comoe District. It has a little exhibit showing the clothing styles of various ethnic groups and a photographic account of the city’s as well as the country’s time under colonial France. Models of the dresses and customs of the local communities including the kings, chiefs from Korhogo, Bouale, and other regions of Ivory Coast are displayed in the museum.

Eat

The traditional cuisine of the Ivory Coast is very similar to that of neighboring countries in West Africa in its reliance on grains and tubers. Cassava and plantains are significant parts of Ivorian cuisine. Seafood includes tuna, sardines, shrimp, and bonito, which is similar to tuna. Chicken is commonly consumed and has a unique flavor due to its lean, low-fat mass in this region. A type of corn paste called aitiu is used to prepare corn balls, and peanuts are widely used in many dishes. Attieke is a popular side dish in Ivory Coast that is made with grated cassava and vegetable-based couscous. Common street food is alloco, which is ripe banana fried in palm oil, spiced with steamed onions, and chili and eaten alone with grilled fish or boiled eggs. Mafe is a common dish consisting of meat in a peanut sauce. Kedjenou is a spicy stew and is very popular among the locals as well as tourists.

Slow-simmered stews with various ingredients are another common food staple in Ivory Coast. Kedjenou is a dish consisting of chicken and vegetables slow-cooked in a sealed pot with little or no added liquid, which concentrates the flavors of the chicken and vegetables and tenderizes the chicken. It is usually cooked in a pottery jar called a canary, over a slow fire, or cooked in an oven. You can always ask for extra vegetables, especially avocados, which are amazing during the season.

Another specialty is the excellent shoukouilla, which is a blend of charbroiled meat. Ivorians have a particular kind of small, open-air restaurant called a maquis, which is unique to the region. A maquis normally features braised chicken and fish covered in onions and tomatoes, served with attieke or kedjenou.

Drink

Ivory Coast has a large selection of delicious beer that will not disappoint beer lovers. Zevia mixer ginger beer is the best option for drinks. It is a sugar-free ginger beer and comes in small cans but was designed to be a cocktail mixer. It is easily available in the mixer section of liquor and grocery stores. Reed’s extra ginger beer another popular drink of the country. It is the most recommended ginger beer that you should consider while on a trip to Ivory Coast. It is prepared from raw cane sugar and honey, and includes pineapple, lemon, and lime juices as well and can be mixed with any liquor, including whiskey. Bangui is local palm wine. Further, you can find a variety of flavored brews including raspberry, spiced apple, and cherry offered by Reed in different stores in the country.

Besides, having a large selection of beers, the country also serves a variety of lemonades. Local drinks such as bissap juice, tamarind juice, ginger juice, bandji, koutoukou, etc. are highly appreciated by the local people and visitors. Also referred to as Ginger water, Gnamakoudji is one of the famous juices on the Ivory Coast. The drink is merely rich and concentrated as it is prepared from ginger root sugar and water. Passion fruit juice is another wonderful drink that has a sweet taste. The drink was prepared from the extraction of juice from the passion fruit.

Tap-water

The tap water of the Ivory Coast is safe for drinking. Since the water quality is safe, you can freely fill your bottles from nearby destinations or restaurants. Further, it is suggested to ask the locals about the water quality. While passing through the old pipes till reaching the tap, the water might carry some pollutants due to leakage in the pipe system. You can consider drinking the tap water after boiling it. Besides, you can consider drinking bottled water that is easily available across the country at a reasonable price.

Activities

From the stunning scenery, idyllic beaches to the starfish-studded sands and road so orange they resemble strips of bronzing powder, there is plenty to love about Ivory Coast. You can consider exploring the city of Abidjan, which is dubbed as The Manhattan of Africa because of its gleaming skyscrapers and manicured gardens of The Plateau. The eateries available here are different from the traditional marquis restaurant which sprawl out into the city bustling streets. Fashionistas can easily weave their way through the shopping outlets that sell the latest bags, jewelry, and beautiful clothes. The country offers an endless adventure for the senses and is a place where life is lived largely in the open air. You can hike through Mount Tonkou where you can see Liberia and Guinea, making it the perfect place to do a spot of touristic photography.

Further, you can head to Korhogo, where you can learn more history about the country and shop for lovely handicrafts or you can simply get lost in Bingerville to experience a typical village setting. For more, you can consider to stopover at the former capital and largest city, Abidjan. It is a place of bright lights, nightclubs, and lofty skyscrapers with museums such as Ifon Museum that will treat you to the fascinating history of the country. Besides, you can visit the beaches where you can splash around the crystal clear waters and dip your feet into the sand. There are also coastal walks you can take to soak in the stunning view, and lovely pools to swim in calmer waters.

Accommodation

As there are a number of tourists who visit Guinea every year, the accommodation facility here is highly maintained all across the country. Whether you choose to live in rural or urban areas, you will find many options here, from expensive to cheap ones. Lodging options like green hotels, apartments, hostels, and guest houses are available for your comfort to stay in different regions of the country. Whether you want to stay in the city for study, vacation, or business purposes, you will get multiple options to select from as per your preference. So, you can choose the type of accommodation according to your budget, staying duration, and others.

Green Hotels

These hotels play an important role to keep the environment free from impurities. The cost of these hotels is usually low as compared to the other hotels. The facilities of these green hotels are somewhat similar to any other hotels. There are several such hotels in different regions of the country. Considering the fitness of the visitors, these green hotels provide pollution-free goods as much as possible. Besides, they are taking all the necessary precautions to build a harmless environment.

Hostels and Guest Houses

If your tour is for a longer duration, then consider staying in the hostels or in the guesthouses. These are the best options for your long stay. You will find several hostels and guesthouses to be housed in the city. As these lodging options are inexpensive, it will save your money. The facilities that you will get here are somewhat related to the ones that you get in hotels and motels. Further, they provide a safe stay with the options of sharing rooms.

Apartments

You will get a number of rental apartments in different parts of the country. Being ranging from low to high cost depending on the locations, various types of apartments are available across the country. Apartments provide many advantages and benefits for tourists to stay comfortable during the tour. Further, if you are visiting the country for studying purposes or business purposes, then this the highly recommended option for lodging. In addition, you will get the chance to learn the local languages and acquire knowledge about the local lifestyles.

Couchsurfing

In the past few times, Couchsurfing has become very popular in many countries and cities. The locals help the outsiders with the facility of food and shelter during the visit to their hometown. Opting for this option will help you to survive in the city with nearly all facilities. It helps to know the culture of the city and assists to save money. This method also helps you to interact with the locals and acquire more knowledge about the city from their perspective of living their life. As it takes a lot of time to find someone as a host and discuss the stay and other things with them, make sure to look for it from a very early time.

Camping

Ivory Coast has some camping spots that are located in different parts of the country. Tourists all around the globe book these camping spots to experience a unique stay in the country. Some of the camping grounds have all the basic facilities like toilets, food arrangements, and others. They are available at affordable prices and provide very eye-catching and amazing views that tourists look for. Camping is one of the best ways to admire the open sky and enjoy the mesmerizing views of natures’ landscapes.

Regions

Map of Côte d'Ivoire with regions colour-coded

Lagunes (Abidjan)
the coastal lagoons area around the de facto capital of Abidjan

Northern Savanna (Bouaké, Comoe National Park)
the largely Muslim area held in recent years by rebel "New Forces"

Southwestern Forests (Taï National Park, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve)
the tropical wet forest area inhabited by the Kru people bordering Liberia

Eastern Plantations (Yamoussoukro)
the partially cultivated area between Lac de Kossou and the border with Ghana

Cities

Abidjan - Remains the administrative centre and other countries maintain their embassies there.
Korhogo - Rebel HQ; otherwise idyllic, bursts with commerce during Feb - May because of flowing cotton and cashew trade.
Aboisso - Important mile stone on the route connecting Abidjan and Ghana trade route
Bouaké - the second largest city
Dabou
San Pedro - the second port city
Yamoussoukro - Although it has been the official capital since 1983, it is not the administrative centre.
Grand-Bassam - A coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends.

Getting There and Moving Around

The transport facility in Ivory Coast is well-connected and highly maintained. Airways are considered to be the fastest modes of traveling from one place to another. Further, if you are traveling from nearby countries, then the option of trains and buses are most suitable. You can also opt for cars and taxis. As an eco-friendly tourist, you should opt for bicycles to avoid pollution and travel to cover minimal distances, within the cities of the country. All ECOWAS countries, as well as the Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Seychelles, Chad, Singapore, and Philippines citizens, may enjoy visa-free to Ivory Coast on arrival. Other visitors are able to apply for an E-Visa online beforehand, which pre-approves travelers and allows them to receive three-month visas on arrival at Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. You are suggested to consult the E-Visa website for further details and to apply.

Air

Ivory Coast has three international airports located in Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, and Bouake. Fourteen smaller cities also possess regional airports, the most important of which are Daloa, Korhogo, Man, Odienne, and San-Pedro. Since the outbreak of the crisis, only five of these airports are available. These are Abidjan, San-Pedro, Yamoussoukro, Daloa, and Touba. The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport has daily scheduled flights to and from Paris with Air France and Brussels with Brussels airlines. There are also regular flights to other African capitals.

Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport, Abidjan, Ivory Coast

Bus

Buses run daily between Abidjan and Accra. The service is offered to alternate between the STC (Ghana) and its Ivorian equivalent.

A typical bus in Ivory Coast

Train

There are weekly trains from Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso to Abidjan, operated by Sitarail. Travel time for the full journey is scheduled for 36 hours. The train does not feature couchettes or sleeping cars.

The Ouagadougou train station, Ivory Coast

Hitchhiking

As Ivory Coast has well-connected roadways, hitchhiking is easily available throughout the country. Taking lift from any person passing through the same lane help people to adopt the mean of transport. Although it takes time to reach the country, it provides a good adventurous journey with a view to the destination.

Others

Intercity travel in Ivory Coast is usually more comfortable than travel in neighboring West African countries. The roads are generally in good condition and the bus service is relatively modern. Traveling around Abidjan is easiest when you have your own vehicle. The roads are very good and the traffic rules are obeyed. Taxis are a great and easy way to get around in Abidjan. Fares are very cheap, depending on the length of the journey.

Sustainable Shopping

Shopping for souvenirs is best done in the local markets (marches), which are ever-present in towns even outside Yamoussoukro and Abidjan. Central markets are known to sell all kinds of handicrafts made in the Ivory Coast, which are famous around the world for their unique design and quality. Some popular buys include kente cloth, wax prints, weaves, indigo fabric, skilfully designed wooden statuettes and carvings, pottery, basket ware, and bead necklaces. Shops and markets are usually open all day with a two-hour break for lunch. If you love to bargain, then your chance to pull down prices will be profitable for you, especially when you are shopping for unique Ivorian crafts. In the town of Korhogo, there are local artisans who are skilled in producing toiles. These are hand-painted textiles that can be used as wall hangings or decorative items. In addition to traditional markets, the Ivory Coast has its share of western-style shopping malls. One that is notable is the Hypermarche Sococe, which can be found in the Les Duex Plateaux area in Abidjan.

Recycling

The Swiss multinational Nestle plays an active role in the development of the efficient collection, sorting, and recycling systems in the country. It will work with national value chain partners and industry associations to explore different packaging solutions. This will reduce the use of plastic and facilitate the recycling of plastic waste.

Waste

A plastic waste collection project has been launched in Ivory Coast. It is called all for responsible management of plastics. It will be implemented by the Swiss food company Nestle. The company’s plastic waste management project in Ivory Coast will be based on four business models. The first model is called Take Back and it will collect 15 tonnes of waste through a mobile application that will be created. The second model is called waste collection at the market, to pick 30 tonnes of plastic packaging in the markets that will be selected by the National Waste Management Agency (ANAGED) and Nestle. The business model called Plastic waste collectors will involve the collection of 130 tonnes of plastic waste. Thirdly, Recyplast, the latest business model, aims to collect 150 tonnes of non-biodegradable waste through the boxes. The boxes will be installed in the neighborhoods of the Grand-Bassam commune, east of Abidjan.

Work and Study Abroad

Many tourists are not familiar with the working and student culture in the county. Ivory Coast offers attractive courses to foreign students. There are many universities available in the country which offer benefits like exchange students that help the students to study in the country at a low cost. Further, plenty of jobs are also available in the country that helps workers from different countries to earn a lot.

Exchange Student

The program of an exchange student is getting popular around the world, and most of the universities in different parts of the world have partnerships to offer this facility to their students. Many students are living in the country to complete their education successfully with the help of the exchange student. The best thing about this facility is that students can study at foreign universities only with the college fee. But only if you are nominated, and your university has a partnership with the universities of Ivory Coast, then you will be able to study there using this exchange student program.

Au Pair

Most of the people take the help of this facility in the early stage of their settling down in the country. The benefit of this facility is that it will provide you the convenience to be able to get shelter, food, and even some pocket money. All you need to do is work for the host family. You need to make sure that you are contacting the host earlier, as the procedure takes some time. Doing this will help you to avoid all the end-moment trouble that one might face while reaching the country.

Volunteering

Volunteering will help you to gain a lot of knowledge about the local people, their culture, their traditions, and many other things. Besides, it is known to be one of the best ways to give your contribution to the country and make it a safer and cleaner place for tourists. Various programs like teaching, animal caring, organizing foods for the poor, etc. are held that contribute towards the noble cause. Hence, you will come across many foreigners who are participating in the volunteering work conducted in the country.