Husband sempting altigold, "Ever higher thanks to the sea"… A proud motto adopted by the colonial administration to highlight the port vocation of Abidjan, when it was chosen to become capital. But the ambiguity of the Latin phrase also gives the Mari formula the meaning "ever higher than the sea" - and perhaps it is above all that strikes when we arrive in Abidjan: the height, the demeasurement, the level of development and the immensity of this mega at least four times as large as Paris, at least twice as crowded. From the date of the flight, the hot breath, the humidity of the air shall change: No doubt, we're in Africa! Minute: Africa, with this beautiful air-conditioned airport, where nothing disturbs the glaring cleanliness? Africa, with this twin-track twinning line right up to the heart of the city, without even a chicken nest to hurt the suspensions of the vehicle? As a first step, only calls and the insistence on agglutinated bagagists and taximen at the exit of the airport seem to correspond to the reality expected to be found. But, patience, Africa is there, living and vibrating… Surrounded by meandous lagoon arms and nestled in a protective greenery: This shows the city of Abidjan when you first see it by the plane's doorbell. The traveler will not immediately take the measure of its extent and tormented geography. Once on the ground, the city features the characteristics of any African city: Noise and fury, air saturated with heat and dust, bagagists and taximen pressing to pick the newcomer from the airport… Abidjan, frenzy and heckling, drowned beotien in the incessant stream of its long bottled arteries, which connect the main areas of the city, and its small labyrinthic alleys, the myriad of urban tentacles that always lead to the unsuspected and distant heart of the city. quoted. The traffic is dense, the direction is uncertain. The megacile disappears from the perception under an equally confusing architectural and social syncretism: vertically aggressive and modern tower at Plateau, alanguy and secret in the cocoon, industrialized and polluted valleys on the lagoon; a sleek, chic and shock-ridden tour of its Zone 4, chaotic and exuberant in its distant and popular neighborhoods, where life to the villager resumes its rights… Abidjan is schizophrenic. Under the leadership of the «Old Father of the Nation», Félix Houphouët-Boigny, the city had a fabulous destiny, a tremendous development to which nothing was predestined. Until the late 1980 s, like the entire country, it was still a privileged destination and, for the entire subregion, the one also known as the «Pearl of Lagoons» embodied the ideal of the mirror to the alouettes, the hub of cosmopolitan energies and creativorities. nourishing and enriching each other, black, black and proud to be, crossroads where all aspirations, ambitions, dreams become achievable. It found world class hotels, mythical nightclubs, recording studios that had nothing to envy from London, Paris or New York; We were shooting movies, or we came to it, feet in the sand the day, lulled by the reflux of clear waves pouring into paradisiacal beaches, while the night vibrated with the rhythms perpetuated perpetuated until the early morning by and for a host of hedonic fans, so inert. They are concerned rather than insatiable. In recent years, Abidjan has given more often than not the impression of a house entrusted to children in the absence of parents, a beautiful painkiller living on the few difficult memories of his splendor of yesteryear, evoked with a passive nostalgia by those who knew her of the time when she was more princess. that pumpkin: " There's a chance, one day luck will come back… " '. Or the eternal litany of "it's going to go", engraved with red iron in the DNA of Ivorians. The city, like the country, has paid a heavy price for the years of torment and if its unfailing charm continues to operate, it is with the legitimate deficit of recklessness and spontaneity caused by repeated crises. Under the leadership of Alassane Ouattara, Abidjan nevertheless took over from the beast's hair and found a attractiveness that seems to fit into the duration despite some occasional security disorders: " Côte d 'Ivoire is back "as we say in the country. In order to draw the full marrow of this city, it is necessary to meet at its meeting, both stripped of the prejudices of the Western media and aware of the situation of political fragility still prevailing in the country; not fear it while knowing how humble and measured it is. Abidjan all contrasts, Abidjan the fievger, the agitated, the press, the rush, the thorn. In the chaotic and chaotic cohue of traffic, we will cross both military vehicles and government cars as well as the 4 x 4 of ngos, together with the booming mass of the "pimentated" taxis, Porsche Cayenne, Hummer, sports cars and other large sedans registered "Eugène 1 er great prophet"… There is no doubt: Abidjan moves, for better and for worse; awakens the senses of the walkway by the endless and incessant manifestations of its energy and its overflowing life. Space is full without being saturated, invested by clamors, colors and activities of everyone. As often in Africa, the street is performing there, sharing the endearing fantasy of its naive and colorful signs, its fruits and vegetables to the capitous fragrances, this daily reinvented in a thousand informal trades that sacked the king and queen the hope of better days and a joy of life unalterable. The word vibrates, travels in as many dialects and languages as the country counts ethnically and communities, but also in nouchi, popular argot of the street always anticipating the reality of an image. Spoken word, sung, broken laughed, but never whispered, even less whispered; word through which humor and derision, making art and weapon, will defuse to the most delicate situations. Yes, this is how we move forward, even if inequalities persist, often indecent; even if the war has tarnished the collective confidence of a difficult wound that is difficult to scare and everyone tries to conjure up its nightmare spectrum by repeating the litany that holds the wrong fate: " Never again "… Abidjan is all this and much more at a time: large culture broth at the sometimes chaotic interface, behind which is hiding a city attached and excessive, concentrated violence, energy and exuberance that some sentences frozen on paper cannot return. It is up to you to tamper with him, unless it is her who ultimately apprays you…

What to visit Abidjan?

When to go to Abidjan?

When to go to Côte d'Ivoire and stay in Abidjan? As in many West African countries, the tourist season extends from December to April (the main dry season). Apart from some regional variations, during these 5 months, the climate is dry and pleasant, with temperatures ranging between 25°C and 30°C. From April to July, it is the great rainy season, which sees a rise in temperatures and abundant rainfall; this period is therefore rather to be avoided, because the showers, often torrential, make the tracks not very practicable, thus penalizing tourism in certain parts of the country (in particular in the north and west). The ideal climatic period to undertake a trip is from December to April; however, the period from July to September, which is more balanced in terms of temperature and rainfall, is recommended to discover another face, green and humid, of the Sahelian regions of the country (north, east). At this time of the year, the landscapes are indeed of great beauty, because the land, after the great rainy season, is covered with a coat of lush vegetation that contrasts singularly with the dusty drought in force the rest of the time.

Abidjan attracts movie lovers by scheduling several festivals: the Clap-Ivoire Festival, the Spanish Film Festival, the FESNACI, the Short Film Festival (FICA), the Israeli Film Festival of Abidjan, etc.

Use the map to see the lowest prices at a glance:
See prices on map

Weather at the moment

Loading...
Weather all year round

Abidjan has a sub-equatorial climate, hot and humid, with an average temperature of 27°C and an average humidity of over 80%, a long rainy season (May-June-July), a short rainy season (September-November) and two dry seasons. During the rainy season, it can rain for several days in a row or, during impressive thunderstorms, intensely for an hour before the sun returns.

Jan.
23° / 30°
Feb.
24° / 31°
Mar.
24° / 31°
Apr.
24° / 31°
May
24° / 31°
June
23° / 29°
Jul.
23° / 28°
Aug.
22° / 27°
Sept.
22° / 28°
Oct.
23° / 29°
Nov.
24° / 30°
Dec.
24° / 30°
Budget

The currency is the West African franc (FCFA). It is better to know, the lack of money is a real plague in Côte d'Ivoire and it can sometimes be difficult to find it difficult to "break" a large bill (10 000 FCFA). In terms of budget, Côte d'Ivoire is a fairly expensive destination. In Abidjan, living in the western way is only slightly cheaper than in Paris.

Procedures

In addition to a passport that is still valid for a minimum period of six months after the date of return, a biometric visa for Côte d'Ivoire is required (excluding ECOWAS nationals). An international driving licence and car insurance are required to drive a vehicle on Ivorian territory. Be aware that the area is politically and militarily unstable, check with your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before leaving.

Health

It is recommended to take a treatment against malaria and to be vaccinated against yellow fever (the vaccine is mandatory). Vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A are essential and it is also strongly advised to protect yourself against hepatitis B, typhoid fever, poliomyelitis and meningitis A and C. Another big concern is water. It is not drinkable, so remember to purify it with tablets, or buy bottles of mineral water. Remember to stock up on useful medicines before you leave: anti-diarrhea (with and without fever) and anti-vomiting medication for motion sickness, for example. If the food is excellent in terms of taste, it is not always prepared in good hygienic conditions. Beware of tourista. Finally, protect yourself from the sun. Beware also of the "bar" phenomenon which affects practically the entire coastline of the Gulf of Guinea and requires great vigilance when swimming.

How to go to Abidjan? Our advice & tips

Many organized trips are available to discover Côte d'Ivoire: discovery of Ivorian nature, observation of elephants and chimpanzees, solidarity trips, ecotourism trips, seaside resorts, combined, 4x4 tours, immersion trips with local populations... The offer is varied!

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

You can quite easily go alone to Côte d'Ivoire. It is advisable to book your flight tickets and accommodation in advance. This will make your trip much easier. If Côte d'Ivoire is a safe country overall, do not forget that it is a relatively poor country and where your wealth can attract envy: be vigilant. Being accompanied by a local guide can be useful, especially to "face" African trails.

The discovery of the country is mainly done by private vehicle (standard or 4x4) or by public transport (bus, gbaka, bush taxi). Locally, it is also possible to use motorized or non-motorized two-wheelers (and yet rather discouraged if one takes into account the road conditions and driving habits of many Ivorians), pinnace, pirogue, or simply on foot.

Organize your trip with our partners Abidjan
Transportation
Accommodation & stays
Services / On site

Abidjan travel inspiration

Find unique Stay Offers with our Partners

Pictures and images Abidjan

Préparation de l'attiéké en bord de lagune. Elodie VERMEIL
Cathédrale d'Abidjan. Jean-Paul LABOURDETTE
Une vue du boulevard lagunaire depuis l'hôtel Pullman. Au fond, la cathédrale Saint-Paul. Christian VERMEIL
En bas de l'hôtel Ivoire s'étend le village lagunaire de Blokosso. Elodie VERMEIL

Discover Abidjan

When to travel?

When to go to Côte d'Ivoire and stay in Abidjan? As in many West African countries, the tourist season extends from...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Abidjan has a sub-equatorial climate, hot and humid, with an average temperature of 27°C and an average humidity of...
Read more about it

Budget

The currency is the West African franc (FCFA). It is better to know, the lack of money is a real plague in Côte d'Iv...
Read more about it

Formalities

In addition to a passport that is still valid for a minimum period of six months after the date of return, a biometri...
Read more about it

Health

It is recommended to take a treatment against malaria and to be vaccinated against yellow fever (the vaccine is manda...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

You can quite easily go alone to Côte d'Ivoire. It is advisable to book your flight tickets and accommodation in adv...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Many organized trips are available to discover Côte d'Ivoire: discovery of Ivorian nature, observation of elephants...
Read more about it

Getting around

The discovery of the country is mainly done by private vehicle (standard or 4x4) or by public transport (bus, gbaka,...
Read more about it

Send a reply