Côte d'Ivoire Flight: Plane Tickets to Abidjan

Practical Information

Entry Requirements

French citizens, whether holding ordinary or official passports, must obtain a biometric visa to enter Côte d'Ivoire. Additionally, the traveler's passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the return date. A visa and a return or onward ticket are required for entry into the country.

Obtaining the Visa

A biometric visa is mandatory to enter Côte d'Ivoire. The visa application must be submitted to the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in Paris.
The processing time is approximately 7 days, and the consular fee for a two-month visa is around €110.

The information provided on customs and immigration procedures is for reference only.
Corsair cannot be held responsible if you are not compliant with local regulations.
For more details, we recommend contacting the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in Paris to help you prepare your trip:

Address: 102, avenue Raymond Poincaré, 75016 Paris
01.53.64.62.62 / fax 01.45.00.47.97
www.ambassadecotedivoire.fr/

While You're There

Store Hours

Most shops are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Transportation

There are various ways to get around within the country.

Generally inexpensive, the “taxi-brousse” is a shared taxi that can carry up to about ten passengers. You can also use regular taxis. If the taxi doesn’t have a meter, it’s advisable to agree on the fare beforehand.

You can also take “Gbakas,” which are modern, comfortable minibuses that are more affordable than the taxi-brousse.

Safety

Risks are mainly concentrated in Abidjan (thefts, assaults). Make sure to get information before hiking on trails that are not clearly marked. http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr

Services

Government offices are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Holidays and Festivals

January 1st: New Year’s Day.
February: Festival of Masks (Man region).
March: Bouaké Carnival.
April: Dipri Festival (commemorating the sacrifice of Bidyo).
March–April: Easter.
June: Ascension Day; Pentecost.
August 7th: Independence Day.
November: Abissa Festival (celebrated over one week).
December 7th: National Day.
December: Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
December 25th: Christmas.

Not to Be Missed

Must-Sees

Abidjan, located in the south of Côte d'Ivoire, is the economic heart of the country, offering a modern and vibrant atmosphere comparable to major Western cities.

To explore the country’s cultural diversity, don’t miss the Museum of Civilizations of Côte d'Ivoire, a must-visit to discover the many communities that make up the nation. You’ll also find traditional Ivorian art at the National Museum, where you can admire works that reflect the country’s rich history and traditions.

Heading toward the center of the country, you’ll reach Yamoussoukro, the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire. There you’ll find the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, the largest Christian church in the world, with stunning stained-glass windows and impressive architecture.

Just steps from the Presidential Palace, make a stop at the Lake of the Sacred Crocodiles. This fascinating site is home to crocodiles weighing nearly a ton—an unforgettable sight. For a livelier experience, head to the Central Market, a bustling place where you can shop while soaking up the city’s energy.

If you're looking to enjoy paradise-like beaches, San Pedro is a must with its wild shores and peaceful vibe. For a more intimate getaway, Assini, located just a few kilometers from Abidjan, is the perfect spot for relaxing days by the water, offering serene beaches and an idyllic setting.

Nature lovers will enjoy the Taï National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where you can observe remarkable wildlife in a dense tropical rainforest. To the east, the Comoé National Park, the largest in the country, also offers an immersion into the Ivorian savannah with a wide variety of wildlife—perfect for safari enthusiasts.

Finally, for an authentic escape, the town of Grand-Bassam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, invites you to stroll through its picturesque streets, explore its colonial history, and relax on its beautiful beaches.

Gastronomy

Côte d'Ivoire offers a diverse and generous cuisine, allowing you to discover a wide range of national dishes that are extremely rich in flavor and taste.

You can try various specialties such as grilled chicken and guinea fowl soup served with rice or pasta.
Just like its food, the drinks of Côte d'Ivoire are equally exotic. From juicy fruit juices like bissap (an African infusion made from hibiscus flowers), gnamakoudji (ginger juice), and other grapefruit-based juices, your taste buds are in for a treat. For alcoholic beverages, you can try “Kotoukou,” a traditional homemade spirit.

Culture

Côte d'Ivoire displays great cultural richness.

It is indeed a crossroads where around sixty ethnic groups peacefully coexist, each with its own culture and rituals, characterized by rhythmic dances to the sound of tam-tams.

You can admire the most beautiful traditional dances in the western part of Côte d'Ivoire. Traditions and local customs are numerous and deeply rooted in the population. It is therefore important to respect them.

Oral tradition is still very present in villages, where griots (traditional communicators in West Africa) hold the floor. They are considered the “memory of the village.” Finally, the “palaver tree” is the tree under which elders gather to resolve conflicts or other family-related issues.
You will notice that hospitality and friendliness are truly genuine.
Note that the ancestral technique of lost-wax casting is still used by artisans to work with bronze.

Climate

The climate in Côte d'Ivoire varies by region, so the best time to visit depends on the area you wish to explore.

If you're planning a trip to the coast, the best time is during the dry season, which runs from December to April. If you're heading inland, we recommend traveling between October and February, or from December to February to explore the savannah region.

Note that both dry and wet seasons are accompanied by fairly high temperatures (an average of 28°C).