How to prepare for a stay in Ivory Coast?
Have you planned a getaway to Côte d’Ivoire? This country in West Africa is increasingly becoming a prime tourist destination. Moreover, all the efforts made in this direction aim to promote the numerous tourist sites, charming assets of the country known for its lively atmosphere and good cheer. However, good preparation takes into account several essential aspects such as knowledge of the country, visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, budget… Here are some tips based on my own experience to help you prepare for a trip you will cherish for a long time.
Discovering Côte d’Ivoire
Before applying for your visa online, if you have never visited Côte d’Ivoire, here is what you need to know about the country. Côte d’Ivoire is a former French colony in West Africa. This country, independent since 1960, is bordered to the north by Burkina Faso, to the south by Liberia, to the west by Guinea, and to the east by Ghana. Côte d’Ivoire covers an area of 322,463 km² and has nearly 23 million inhabitants speaking nearly 70 dialects from several dozen ethnic groups that coexist in harmony. The official currency of the country is the CFA franc. Previously, the capital of Côte d’Ivoire was Yamoussoukro, the birthplace of Félix Houphouët Boigny, the first president of the country. Since 1983, Abidjan, a metropolitan city nicknamed “Babi,” has become the capital.
Côte d’Ivoire is famous for its numerous buildings with impressive architecture, the joy of living of its inhabitants who love to celebrate, its seaside resorts, and its wildlife parks showcasing a flora and fauna as beautiful as diverse.
What is the best time to go to Côte d’Ivoire ?
You can travel to Côte d’Ivoire year-round. However, I recommend going during the dry season, which runs from December to March. Nevertheless, it all depends on the area you are visiting. Indeed, Côte d’Ivoire enjoys an equatorial climate in the south and a humid tropical climate in the north.
From May to November, in the south, it is the rainy season which occurs in two phases, the small rainy season and the large rainy season. On the other hand, in the north, the rainy season lasts from April to the end of October and peaks in August. So please consider this information when applying for your Côte d’Ivoire visa.
What are the necessary formalities to go to Côte d’Ivoire ?
To enter Côte d’Ivoire, every traveler except citizens of ECOWAS must have a passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the return date mentioned and a biometric visa. You can do as I did and proceed with the application for a biometric electronic visa also called e-visa Côte d’Ivoire at the Côte d’Ivoire embassy in your country or request a visa Côte d’Ivoire once you are at Félix Houphouët Boigny airport. The other option is to apply for an e-visa Côte d’Ivoire through websites accredited by the Ivorian consulate and receive the document via email. You will then need to print it and present it at the “visa” service upon arrival at the Ivorian airport.
What health precautions to take before going to Côte d’Ivoire ?
A stay in Côte d’Ivoire is subject to the requirement of having received the yellow fever vaccination. Be sure to get vaccinated before leaving your country. However, it is still possible to get vaccinated on-site. Also, make sure your DTP vaccines are up to date. Since I was going for 8 weeks, I also got vaccinated against typhoid and hepatitis A and B. This is especially a precaution to consider based on the length of your stay.
I also took anti-malarial medication in anticipation of a potential malaria outbreak. For your information, 90% of malaria victims are African. I also thought about getting a mosquito net as soon as I arrived in Abidjan in anticipation of my excursions. However, one can never be too cautious. Once there, I contracted malaria. But I was able to receive good care from experienced doctors who were very attentive.
What budget to plan ?
This is a crucial question to consider even before applying for your e-visa Côte d’Ivoire. First, know that it all depends on the activities you plan and the places you will visit. For my stay, I budgeted on average 70 euros per day for accommodation, food, and transportation. If you opt for a hotel, you will pay on average 50 euros per night for a room of a certain standard.
But you can find hotels starting from 20,000 per night. Expect to pay between 5,000 and 7,000 FCFA for a meal depending on the type of restaurant you go to. I recommend trying the Ivorian street food with the numerous maquis that make it up; you will surely pay less.
For transportation, you can choose between metered taxis, rideshare taxis, and collective taxis. The intercommunal taxis equipped with a color code connect the municipalities with each other.
