City, Ivory Coast
Abidjan
West Africa's most polished francophone city: lagoon skyline, strong food and nightlife, easy day trips to the coast. Expensive for the region, traffic is heavy and French helps a lot.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,540–2,570Comfortable, one person · CFA900,000–1.5MDetails
- Value for money19/100Better value than 18% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goDec–MarWarmest: Jan, 32°CDetails
- Tap waterFilter or boilTap water is treated but not reliably safe; drink bottled or filtered water and skip ice from street vendors.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$26–60Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundYangoYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards work in hotels, malls and upscale restaurants; cash for maquis, markets and taxis.Details
Where to stay in Abidjan
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Cocody (Riviera, Deux Plateaux) | Expats and long stays: restaurants, embassies, quieter streets |
| Plateau | Business district, offices, hotels, daytime only |
| Marcory (Zone 4) | Bars, restaurants and nightlife near the lagoon |
| Treichville | Local life, markets, music venues; busy and rougher |
Apps that work in Abidjan
Ride-hailing
Food delivery
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Glovo | Restaurants and groceries in Cocody, Plateau and Marcory |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Wave: Mobile money used for most local payments
- Taxis: Street taxis have no reliable meters; agree the fare before getting in. Apps are cheaper and safer, especially at night.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Ivory Coast.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards work in hotels, malls and upscale restaurants; cash for maquis, markets and taxis. Wave and Orange Money dominate locally but need a local SIM.
- Currency: Franc (XOF). US$1 ≈ CFA582.98 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Withdrawals often capped around 150,000–250,000 XOF; fees apply. Visa works better than Mastercard at some banks.
- Tipping: Not required; 5–10% in restaurants or a few hundred XOF is appreciated.
- Paying by phone: Wave, Orange Money and MTN MoMo dominate locally but need a local SIM or account. Foreign mobile wallets are not accepted.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an e-visa applied for online before travel; check the official Côte d'Ivoire e-visa portal for your nationality.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required and checked on arrival at Abidjan.
- Passport must be valid six months beyond arrival; bring an onward ticket and accommodation details.
Emergency numbers
Police 110 · Ambulance 185 · Fire 180 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, E · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy at Abidjan airport kiosks or carrier shops; passport required for registration. Allow 5,000–15,000 XOF for a month of data. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Ivory Coast
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.