A holiday in Ivory Coast: beaches, nature and culture.
Picture a beach where Ivorian families grill on a Sunday and not a single row of sunloungers stands. A lagoon you glide across in a dugout canoe through mangroves. A basilica in the middle of the savannah, larger than St Peter’s. Mountain villages with bridges woven from living lianas, markets full of hand-woven cloth, and in the evening a grilled fish with attiéké you will still be talking about at home. Ivory Coast is one of the last West African countries you can experience before everyone starts talking about it — warm, colourful and surprisingly easy to travel. This page shows you when to come, how long to stay and what not to miss.
An afternoon by the pool, lagoon behind
How to plan your trip
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Data from the moment you land: eSIM for Ivory Coast
Maps, WhatsApp and mobile payment all need a connection, and the queue at the airport SIM counter is the last thing you want after a night flight. An eSIM is set up before departure and activates on landing.
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Questions we get asked
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Tell us what you have in mind.
We answer travel questions as readily as enquiries. Reply within 24 hours, and WhatsApp is the fastest way through.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ivory Coast worth visiting for a holiday?
Yes, especially if you would rather discover than tick off. Beaches under coconut palms with no tour groups, lagoons and mangroves, rainforest and mountain villages, one of the best cuisines in West Africa, and a warmth almost every visitor names as the strongest part of the trip.
When is the best time to visit Ivory Coast?
November to March for the coast: dry, sunny and a calmer sea. For the north, December to April, bearing in mind the Harmattan brings dusty air from December to February. April to July brings heavy rain but lower prices.
How long should you stay in Ivory Coast?
Seven days cover Abidjan, Grand-Bassam and Assinie. Ten days is the best length for a first trip. Two weeks allow the north around Korhogo or the west around Man.
Do you need a car for a holiday in Ivory Coast?
In practice yes. Hours separate the places worth seeing and public transport is impractical for visitors. A rental from 35 euros a day covers the coast; the west and north need a 4x4. A driver costs 30 euros a day on top.
Where should you go on holiday in Ivory Coast?
Grand-Bassam at 45 km for World Heritage and beach, Assinie at 85 km between lagoon and ocean, Yamoussoukro at 240 km for the basilica, Sassandra at 270 km for the bays, Man at 580 km for the mountains and Korhogo at 600 km for Senufo culture.