The Felix-Houphouet-Boigny International Airport is located just 12 miles from the city center.

There are buses at the airport, take Line 6 SORTA that travels between the airport and Gare sud, which is the bus station in Plateau. Buses operate from 05:30 am until 9:30 pm. Tickets cost around 200 FCFA for a single trip and can be purchased from the bus driver. There are taxis at the airport that travel to the city center and other districts and suberbs of Abidjan. Taxis are available 24 hours a day and are located outside the airport, a minimum fare begins at around 5000 FCFA. There are several rental car agencies at the airport.

There are quite a few options for transportation when it comes to the city of Abidjan including buses, taxis, ferries, and trains. Several bus routes run throughout the city and are cheap and reliable, they can often get crowded. Adjame bus station is a busy place where many travel to different West African cities. Public transport can be difficult in the city and there is no fixed schedule making it difficult to calculate arrival times. There are different types and classes of buses in Abidjan, some are faster than others and the fees for these buses vary. Motorcycle taxis operate in the city, and even though they are cheap, they are also a dangerous option, due to speed and no helmets.

Renting a car when visiting Abidjan is a good idea if you plan to travel to other destinations on the Ivory Coast. The roads in the city are in good condition, when traveling out of the city you will be stopped at various official and unofficial checkpoints. Driving around in the city is not necessary with the public transportation options available in Abidjan.

Taxis are abundant in the city, there are two kinds; the taxi-meter (orange, or red-orange) which travel throughout the city, and woro-woro (yellow and green, blue and orange) which is limited to certain neighborhoods. The metered taxis can operate anywhere in the city, and these will be the most common choice for most visitors. These are the most expensive option and a ride from the airport to the city center will cost around 5,000 CFA. You can try to haggle and get the price down to 2,500-3,500 CFA. The other taxis operate in certain neighborhoods, for example, green taxis will be present in Koumassi and Treichville, yellow taxis in the Cocody municipal areas, and blue in Marcory, Yopougon, and Abobo. These are mostly shared taxis and are a lot cheaper, but only travel in those neighborhoods. Uber and Yango ride-hailing apps are available in Abidjan.

Abidjan is one of the largest ports in West Africa, a container transshipment port that has been in operation since 1951. The Vridi Canal is a 49-foot deep canal where boats with large draughts can dock in the deep water.

There are ferries in the city that cross the lagoon from one side of the city to the other, they travel to Plateau, Treichville, Yopougon, and Cocody Blockaus via the Ebrie lagoon. This is a wonderful boat ride and a great way to see the city’s skyline and catch a delightful sunset.

The city center of Abidjan and other neighborhoods are walkable with options to visit some great restaurants, shops, and attractions located within walking distance. There are several paved streets and boulevards linking the towns.

The city of Abidjan is the site of the region’s only railway; the Abidjan-Ouagadougou line with stations located at Treichville, Abobo, and Adjame. This line only offers two trains, the Gazelle, and the Belier, linking the two capitals in about 40 hours. The most recent project in the city is the recent Abidjan Metro system which will offer a 20-mile loop around the city. The suburban train will link the North-West to the East and North of the city.

Abidjan is considered a safe city Take the necessary precautions when sightseeing, be sure to keep your eyes open and your wallet out of sight from pickpockets, especially in crowded areas. At night stay in well-lit and populated areas, and use reputable transportation companies instead of taking rides from strangers. Violent crime, theft, and pickpocketing are common throughout the country, be especially careful in Lome along the beach in the markets. Avoid traveling alone, especially at night. Be careful on teh bridges to and from the Le Plateau areas of the city, where pedestrians have been attacked and robbed, even during daylight hours.

There are some great shopping opportunities in Abidjan. There are an amazing array of malls, and markets to satisfy your shopping needs. Abidjan has been dubbed the “Paris of West Africa” due to the number of shopping opportunities, with popular items such as African crafts, Ivorian masks, and unique trinkets.

Explore the bustling markets in the capital city such as Abidjan’s artisanal center (known as the CAVA - Centre Artisanal de la Ville d’Abidjan) an absolute must-see. The markets are made up of fifty or so stalls, with red brick and earthenware huts that make up some sort of little village where local craftsmen sell their specialized creations from jewelry to sculptures, fashion to painting, and musical instruments to crystal work. There is a popular market in the Treichville neighborhood selling a variety of items including second-hand clothing, high-tech gadgets, and smoked fish. The Cocody Saint Jean market is located at the heart of the affluent Embassy District, a sprawling modern labyrinth of over 400 shops. Cap Sud is a large shopping center featuring luxury boutiques, a 3D cinema, and plenty of dining options. Sococe is another landmark in the city, a local mall featuring a big grocery store, sports and clothing shops, and a majestic cinema. The Playce Marcory shopping center is one of the largest in the city with a food court that seats over 400 people.

Plage de Lido beach is located in the city, in the Lagunes region of Cote d’Ivoire, on the Gulf of Guinea, and the Ebrie Lagoon. This beautiful beach features golden sand lined with swaying palm trees, bright blue waters, and some amazing views. There are a few restaurants in the area as well as some stylish bars, and multiple taverns.

The official language spoken in Abidjan is French, and the traditional language is Ebrie. However, English is widely spoken, especially in the service industry. Many people speak English, especially in the service industry at hotels and restaurants. We recommend you get a good English-French guidebook and learn the common phrases such as hello, goodbye, please, thank you, and numbers 1-10.

The Ivory Coast features a tropical climate in the south and along the coast, including Abidjan with average temperatures ranging from 78-104F degrees. The humidity is fairly constant and varies between 80-90%, making temperatures feel high throughout the year. January is the least humid month, and August is the wettest. There is a long dry season from December to February, and a short one that occurs in August, the short rainy season usually lasts from September to November, and the longer rainy season is from March to July. The hottest months are February, March, and April, it is generally the warmest in mid-April with temperatures exceeding 91F degrees.

The currency in Abidjan is the West African Franc (CFA) “say-fa”, and the smaller pesewa the US dollar is not accepted. You will need to exchange your currency for the West African Franc, which can be done upon arrival at the airport currency exchange desks or banks and specialized stores called Foreign Exchange Bureaus. ATMs can be found in Abidjan, tipping is discretionary and appreciated, and cash is usually preferred.

Ivorian cuisine is dished up throughout Abidjan and some of the staple food served are rice, cassava, ham, and bread. Cassava (manioc) can be eaten cooked whole, as a mash called plakali, mixed with banana (foutou) or in crumbs (atchiki). Fish is one of the cheapest meals. Ivorian food is one of the best cuisines in West Africa. There are a variety of restaurants in Abidjan serving Lebanese, French, Chinese, and other West African cuisines. Attieke is similar to cassava and couscous, a staple in the city, Alloko is deep friend chopped plantains, Foutou is pounded cassava and banana mash, Placali is like foutou but `offers authentic Lebanese and international cuisine with a stunning ocean view. It’s a bit pricey compared to other restaurants, but it’s definitely worth it if you’re looking for a good dining experience. Di Sorrento restaurant is one of the best Italian restaurants in the city, they offer good service and tasty food including pizza, beef, salad, fish, lasagna, and more in an elegant setting.

La Pagode Restaurant specializes in Vietnamese cuisine with various delicious dishes served up at reasonable prices. It can get crowded and is advisable to make a reservation.

Le Grand Large is a great seafood restaurant in the city, it is a French restaurant offering a variety of tasty meals in a beautiful and sophisticated establishment.

One of the best restaurants in the capital city, Le Montparnasse Restaurant offers a wide variety of food in a pleasant atmosphere. The cuisine is mainly French.

Nightlife in Abidjan is some of the liveliest found in the whole of Africa. Princess Road in the Yopougon neighborhood is one of the most popular places to go at night, lined with bars, and clubs with live music and DJ’s, and friend spicy chicken served right on the street.

Abidjan has a significant variety of musical styles including Zoblazo, Mapouka, Zouglou an since 2002, Coupe Decale, along with other local and international varieties. The musical genre Coupe Decale was introduced to Abidjan’s nightlife in the early 2000s by Douk Saga, and La Jet Set, with the help of Sagacite. It has given a globally identifiable cultural identity to entertainment ‘made in Cote d’Ivoire’. The city is a major musical art in Africa attracting the majority of musicians from the Cote d’Ivoire region due to its many dance clubs and discos. There are many popular artists that have made their debut in Abidjan including; Alpha Blondy, Aïcha Koné, the group Magic System, Meiway, and Tiken Jah Fakoly, as well as Gadji Celi, Chantal Taiba, Nayanka Bell, DJ Arafat.

The economic capacity of the country is considered the mecca for nightlife and there are so many options for a great night out on the town. Le Seven is a small club with a comfortable living room and large leather sofas, a lounge bar, and a dance floor. Le Saint Germain is one of the most popular clubs in the city situated on Boulevard de Marseille, one of the most luxurious nightclubs on the Ivory Coast. Le Che Chef nightclub is very cozy, with a lounge bar, tables, comfortable sofas, pool tables, and a stage for live concerts. Le Music All is a jazz bar. The L’Ebene Nightclub is a typical African nightclub with food, drinks, and character. Le Havana Cafe is a nightclub with a lounge bar, a good place to drink and have fun.

In case of an emergency dial 117 for local police, 119 for an ambulance, or 118 for fire.

Hospital: University Hospital Medical Center at Cocody tel. 225-21-24-9122