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- Destinations
- Africa
- Ivory Coast
- Abidjan
Abidjan
Abidjan was once the proud and flourishing capital city of the
Ivory Coast, and a jewel in the continent of Africa's crown;
however, years of civil unrest and a lack of maintenance have seen
the city slowly move away from the reputation it once held as the
'Paris of West Africa'. For those travelling to Ivory Coast,
Abidjan will more than likely be your first introduction to the
country. The city is testament to what the country once was and
what it could be again. This is evident in the sites such as the
Hotel Ivoire, which was constructed in the sixties and hasn't
changed significantly since then. Visitors can take a trip down
memory lane as the hotel's architecture, furniture and decor are
all reminiscent of styles that have long-since passed. Abidjan is
arranged along the coast and the shores of a lagoon. Some sites in
the city include a popular beach area known as Grand Bassam, the
public zoo, a rainforest park in the city called Park du Banco, and
Saint Paul's Cathedral.
Information & Facts
Climate
Abidjan, and the rest of Ivory Coast enjoys a tropical monsoon
climate. Temperatures in this coastal city tend to remain in the
region of 70°F to 90°F (20°C to 30°C). Abidjan experiences the
majority of its rain during the monsoon months from May to July.
October and November can be wet months but the average rainfall for
the rest of the year remains minimal. Humidity generally reaches
about 80, particularly from January to June when temperatures tend
to remain constant at 86°F (27°C). The best time to visit is during
the cooler and drier months between November and January.
Eating Out
Leaving your hotel at night is not recommended; however, if you
do decide to have an early dinner or a late lunch then the best
area to head to is La Plateau, which has a small selection of
restaurants.
Language
The official language of Ivory Coast is French but more
than 60 native dialects are spoken.
Money
The official currency is the CFA Franc (XOF), divided into 100
centimes. The CFA Franc is linked to the Euro. New notes were
issued in 2004 and only those issued by the Bank of West African
States (
Banque des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest) are valid
currency. There are a few ATMs in Abidjan but most will accept only
Visa cards. It is unwise to use an ATM that is not guarded. Credit
cards are accepted in the larger hotels and better restaurants.
Most shops require cash. Travellers cheques are accepted in banks,
as well as some tourist orientated hotels and restaurants.
Shopping
Markets can be visited in both Adjambe and Treichville, they are
best visited during midmorning before it gets too hot, humid and
crowded.