Abidjan

Serving as the capital from 1933 until 1983, Abidjan is the biggest and most important city of Cote d'Ivoire. With a population of around 4,000,000 people, it is the second largest city in West Africa after Lagos and has historically been the economic power base of the region. Following the death of long term president-for-life Felix Houphouët Boigny in 1993 and the fortunes for Abidjan changed a great deal and successive coups d'etats in Cote d'Ivoire caused a massive exodus of the foreigners living there. Today, despite the current political issues in Cote d'Ivoire at large, Abidjan remains the economic and de facto capital of the nation. Even after everything that's happened, it still boasts a large selection of restaurants, hotels, sites and other reasons to visit. For those traveling through West Africa, it is a must-see city with one of the liveliest night scenes to be found for 1,000 km.

Travel to Abidjan

===Fly to Abidjan=== Abidjan is well-connected internationally with regular flights on:

Turkish Airlines from Istanbul
Air France from Paris
Brussels Airlines ] from Brussels
Emirates from Dubai (via [Accra]], no change of aircraft)
Kenya Airways ] from Nairobi (also continues to Dakar on the same aircraft)
Ethiopian Airlines from Addis Ababa (continues to Newark, New Jersey|Newark on the same aircraft)
Air Ivoire ] is a national carrier that offers connections to a number of destinations in Europe as well as Paris and Marseille

By road

The roads to Abidjan are quite good despite their maintenance not being kept up as much as it should. Traffic lights all but disappear once outside of Abidjan though, so driving outside of the city can be challenging. Whether you're in a private car, taxi, or gbaka (the shared shuttle vanes) you will be stopped at various official (and unofficial) checkpoints where they will delay you at the very least and try to shake down a bribe at the worst. Abidjan also serves as a terminus for long haul bus lines from Bamako, Mali, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and [Accra]], Ghana. If you are travelling from Nigeria, Ghana, Benin, Liberia and Togo, YSG Transport, Chisco Transport, Union Transport de Bouake ( UTB Transport) and STC Transport are good recommendations. Other travelers from Nigeria can get to Abidjan and nearby West African capitals through the weekly transport system of Ejigbo, Osun State, Nigeria, International Travel Buses. They have daily and weekly travel scheme of an uninterrupted borderless travels from Nigeria to Cote d'Ivoire. Some of the travel organizers include Bully Orelope, Atanda 'Agee" Rambo Transport (commonly called IRT), Laba Transport, anc STC Transport. You can get to Ejigbo, Osun State fom all Lagos' inter-city bus terminus and from Osogbo. ===Travel by train to Abidjan=== The only train connection to Abidjan is from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with stopovers in Bouake and Bobo-Dioulasso as well as some smaller city's. While a possibly interesting ride that should take 36 hours and the schedule is quite unreliable and journeys are known to have taken a much longer time. There are about two weekly departures. Abidjan Railway Station GPS 5.316179,-4.020636 (Gare d'Abidjan) is located in the central Le Plateau-neighborhood, next to Place De La Republique.

Getting around

Plateau Centre-est - The central Plateau District Abidjan is quite spread out so walking can take a lot of time and bicycle riding isn't the safest choice (except nearer the water in Zone Quatre). However and there are many options to get around via motor transport ===Taxis=== They have a complex taxi system that involves two types of vehicle taxis. The first type that most visitors will encounter are the orange (or red-orange) ones. These are legally able to operate anywhere in the city and you will most likely be able to ride solo in them. They are also the most expensive. A ride from the airport will run most people (mainly non-Africans who speak little French) about 5,000 CFA, even to neighborhoods that are just 3 km away. If you're willing to negotiate a lot (the drivers will often complain that they have to pay a fee to pick up passengers there, which is a lie) you may be able to get it to 3,500 or 2,500 CFA. A ride between two distant neighborhoods such as Zone Quatre and Plateau will be about 2,000 CFA. The other type of taxi is color-coded to operate in a specific neighborhood, such as the green taxis you'll see in an area such as Koumassi and Treichville. Yellow taxis in Cocody municipal areas, Blue in Marcory, Yopougon and Abobo. These are significantly cheaper, but will most likely have to be shared and of course the distance they can travel is limited to a single neighborhood. Travel Books often make allusion to some taxis having meters. If they do (and thit is common) and they are never working and you always, always agree on the price prior to departure. According to Africa Travelogue and they can only be found at the Zone 4 (Industriel) areas, because of the High level of the Expat community of Europen travelers living in Zone 4 ===Bus=== There are several bus routes throughout the city. They are affordable and decently reliable, although they are often incredibly crowded due to insufficient numbers. Some of the bus stations can be overwhelming though, such as Adjame which, for those new to travel in West African city's will be a lot to handle. There is also the threat of pickpockets in these crowded areas ===Moto=== In 2010 and the Ivorian government relaxed import restrictions on small motorcycles. Prior to this and the number of motorcycles you would see on the street was negligible and there were absolutely none acting as taxis as it was illegal. Times are changing on this front, but be forewarned that going about Abidjan on the back of a moto is probably the number one way to die during travels, although it is cheap ===Boat=== If you just need to cross the lagoon and can make use of one of the ferry routes, by all means take it. While the lagoon is polluted in some parts, it's still a wonderful ride and gazing at the Abidjan skyline from the water at sunset is delightful.

Sightseeing Tips

SaintPaul - Abidjan's modern Saint Paul Gothic Church Abidjan is sometimes referred to as the "Paris of West Africa". During the long and stable rule of the Ivory Coast's Godfather Felix Huphouet-Boigny the city of Abidjan has flourished, however the political instability and the civil war of the past decade have taken their toll on the city. Neglect, low maintenance of buildings and public space and the mass exodus of foreigners have given the city an atmosphere of "lost glory". Nowhere is this to be seen better than in the famous Hotel Ivoire. Entering it is like taking a trip to the 1960s; since its construction there have been no significant changes or modernisation to its interior and furniture. Too bad though that its massive swimming swimmingpool has weeds growing on the bottom instead of blue waters. The public zoo is very nice. It really is a stunning location with loads of interesting animals for just CFA 200, well worth this small sum. Also don't forget a trip to Bassam, Abidjan's no. 1 beach.

National Museum - Musée National | 32 Boulevard Carde 5.333550,-4.024203 ☎ +225 20 222056
Street Paul's Gothic Church - Cathédrale Saint-Paul d'Abidjan | 5.332778,-4.02
National Library of Côte d'Ivoire - Bibliothèque Nationale de Côte d'Ivoire | Boulevard Carde 5.335411,-4.024608
Cocody Municipal Museum of Contemporary Art Musée Municipal d'Art Contemporain de Cocody
Banco National Park - Parc national du Banco | 5.393698,-4.051723 A 30 km² national park just north of Abidjan featuring many tropical rare woods (mahogany, avodirés, waffle wood and more). There are several walking paths and popular for trekking.

What to do as a Muslim in Abidjan

Plagecocody - Beach in the upmarket Cocody neighborhood.

Muslim Friendly Shopping

Halal Restaurants Please be informed that on some destination such as Abidjan we had no local Muslim that has researched some of the area. If you are a Muslim/Muslima and have been to Abidjan or would like to maintain the eHalal Guide to Abidjan, please contact us at guides@ehalal.io and email us your updates.

There are many places to eat Ivorian food, most of them on the sidewalk or on a small road side terrace. Make sure that you ask about the price before you sit down, in order to avoid lengthy discussions about the price when they try to overcharge you after the meal. The staple foods in the Ivory Coast are Rice, cassava, yam and bread. Bread is eaten at breakfast or as a supplement to the meal. The cassava (manioc) can be eaten cooked whole, as a mash called plakali, mixed with banana (foutou) or in crums (atchiki). Fish is the cheapest meal. European cuisine can be found in the wealthier neighbourhoods such as Plateau, Cocody, Deux Plateaux and Zone 4.

Restaurant des Combattants 5.326729,-4.018195 Across the street from the French Embassy ☎ +225 20 224742 Situated in a large colonial villa in the Plateau neighborhood, this popular restaurant features traditional African cuisine.
Chez Georges Hollywood Rue du commerce, plateau 5.3199,-4.0117 ☎ +225 20 32 19 84 Opening Hours: Sunday - Friday 11:30-22:30, Saturday 18:30-22:30 French and Italian dishes at French prices in a formal setting. Free Wi-Fi.
Saarkan Avenue Chardy face à l'AIP, à la descente de Radio Nostalgie Plateau 5.32416,-4.01540 On Plateau, near the highway on the eastern side of the peninsula. ☎ +225 20 32 13 58 Opening Hours: Ouvert du lundi au jeudi de 11h30 à 15h et 18h à 23h. Ouvert le samedi de 18h à 23h. 6000-12 000 CFA The restaurant serves Ivorien food with a modern feel. There is a full café. The menu includes an affordable, light Vegetarian dish of tofu in peanut Sauce with Rice and spinach. Delivery is available through Hellofood, where the menu is also listed. The number one place to go out at night in Abidjan is Princess Road in Yopougon. There are many bars to just relax and drink and also loads of dancing with live music or deejays. Don't forget to order some fried spicy chicken; they prepare it for you right on the street!
Where to stay
Hotel Novotel Abidjan 10 Avenue du General de Gaulle 5.316023,-4.016367 ☎ +225 20 31 80 00
Hôtel Tiama Web: ama.ci Boulevard de la République 5.326234,-4.020094 ☎ +225 20 313333 The best hotel by far in Abidjan, located in Plateau neighborhood next to Standard Chartered Bank.
Pullman Abidjan Rue Abdoulaye Fadiga 5.322238,-4.013646 ☎ +225 20 302020 Upscale waterfront hotel
Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire Boulevard Hassan II 08 5.326684,-4.005687

Stay Safe

There are a number of issues that plague Abidjan, which are indicative of the overall problems that Cote d'Ivoire is experiencing. First and foremost are the military checkpoints. While generally harmless for Foreign Muslims and they can make it maddening to get across the city in a timely fashion, mainly if one is in a private care. Bribes are commonplace, but not an absolute. Carrying small bills is always a good idea. Otherwise, just agreeing with the officer bothering you is the best course of action. If you're respectful and they'll let you be, unless you are French, in which case you will be hassled a good deal more due to the Ivorians having heavy disdain for French involvement in their country. Also if in a private car, you'll notice that most people roll through red lights late at night. While illegal and there have been incidents of carjackings when people are stopped, so heed this warning as you see best. Something else to keep in mind is that Cote d'Ivoire literally shuts down at midnight until 05:00. As a remnant of a curfew imposed during the last civil war and they barricade all the main points of entry and exit to all the towns. If you find yourself on the wrong side of that barricade when it is closed (such as staying in Bassam, but partying in Abidjan) you will absolutely not be let through until 05:00. pickpockets are a problem in crowded places much like anywhere else in the world. Keep track of your personal items and make sure your bags are well closed when passing through busy bus stations or markets. While the most lively of neighborhoods, places such as Koumassi, Treichville and Yopougon are probably best avoided unless going there with a local. Yopougon is undoubtedly the safest with the most impressive assortment of street food, but there can also be young, drunken men in these areas who can be looking for trouble. That said, if you're not starting the trouble and try to defuse the situation, you'll probably not have any issues as people in Abidjan are used to an international crowd in their city. Women should not go out unaccompanied at night. During the day, you'll have no problems. Ivorian society is most definitely patriarchal, but at the same time and the men are respectful of international women and at times maybe a bit too respectful, giving you a lot more attention than you'd like. If you receive unwanted advances, just do as the local girls do and firmly tell them you're not interested. They'll eventually get the point or move on to other women to "charm". ==Cope in Abidjan=====Embassies & Consulates in Abidjan=== [[File:Flag of Canada

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