Flights to Ivory Coast

Getting around

Most visitors stay in the south, where good roads link Abidjan with Grand-Bassam, about 45 minutes east, and Assinie, around two hours away. A motorway runs north to Yamoussoukro in roughly three hours. Hiring a car with a driver is the usual choice, as roadblocks and checkpoints are common. Traffic drives on the right.

History

Akan, Mandé and other peoples built kingdoms here long before European traders arrived for ivory and gold. France made the territory a colony in 1893, with Grand-Bassam as its first capital, followed by Bingerville and then Abidjan. Côte d'Ivoire became independent in 1960 under Félix Houphouët-Boigny, who moved the official capital to his home town, Yamoussoukro, in 1983. The country recovered from political conflicts in the 2000s and is now a leading cocoa producer.

Coast, lagoons and the interior

Grand-Bassam's crumbling colonial quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a long beach beside it. Assinie sits on a narrow strip of sand between the lagoon and the ocean, with weekend resorts and boat trips. In Yamoussoukro, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace was modelled on St Peter's in Rome, and crocodiles live in the lakes around the former presidential palace. Closer to Abidjan, Banco National Park protects rainforest on the edge of the city.

Entry, money and practical tips

British visitors need a visa: apply online in advance, and the visa is issued on arrival at Abidjan airport. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required, and you should carry photo ID at all times. The currency is the West African CFA franc, and French is the official language. Ivory Coast is on GMT all year. Check current UK government travel advice, which covers northern border areas, and your insurance before you go.

When to go

December to March is the main dry season and the most comfortable time for the coast. The heaviest rain falls from May to July, with a shorter wet spell in October and November.

Planning a trip to Abidjan and the coast? Call 020 7871 4545 and we'll help with your flights.