Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a country in West Africa. It has a southerly facing North Atlantic Ocean coast, and is surrounded by Ghana to the east, Liberia to the West, Guinea to the northwest, Mali to the north, and Burkina Faso to the northeast.

An Introduction to the Region of Côte d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire Regions map - Map of Côte d'Ivoire with regions colour-coded

Lagunes (Abidjan) the coastal lagoons area around the de facto capital of Abidjan

Northern Savanna (Bouaké, Comoe National Park) the largely Muslim area held in recent years by rebel "New Forces"

Southwestern Forests (Taï National Park, Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve) the tropical wet forest area inhabited by the Kru people bordering Liberia

Eastern Plantations (Yamoussoukro) the partially cultivated area between Lac de Kossou and the border with Ghana

Reference ##9b0d4 Lagunes. }}

Reference ##C57a Northern Savanna. }}

Reference ##6B67C Southwestern Forests. }}

Reference ##BEFA5 Eastern Plantations

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Cities

• Abidjan - Remains the administrative centre and other countries maintain their embassies there.
• Korhogo - Rebel HQ; otherwise idyllic, bursts with commerce during February - May because of flowing cotton and cashew trade.
• Aboisso - Important mile stone on the route connecting Abidjan and Ghana trade route
• Bouaké - the second largest city
• Dabou
• San Pedro (Côte d'Ivoire) | San Pedro - the second port city
• Yamoussoukro - Although it has been the official capital since 1983, it is not the administrative centre.
• Grand-Bassam - A coastal town full of colonial charm, often a retreat for local Ivorians seeking to escape the city life of Abidjan on the weekends.

More Destinations

Three National Parks are on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• Taï National Park
• Comoe National Park
• Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve

Côte d'Ivoire Halal Travel Guide

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History

Côte d'Ivoire was home to several states including the Kong Empire, Gyaaman, Baoulé, and the Sanwi until it was colonised by the French in the late 19th century.

Close ties to France since independence in 1960 and the development of cocoa production for export, and foreign investment made Côte d'Ivoire one of the most prosperous of the tropical African states, but did not protect it from political turmoil.

In December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Côte d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. Junta leader Robert Guei blatantly rigged elections held in late 1999 and declared himself the winner. Popular protest forced him to step aside and brought runner-up Laurent Gbagbo into liberation. Ivorian dissidents and disaffected members of the military launched a failed coup attempt in September 2002. Rebel forces claimed the northern half of the nation, and in January 2003 were granted ministerial positions in a unity government under the auspices of the Linas-Marcoussis Peace Accord. President Gbagbo and rebel forces resumed implementation of the peace accord in December 2003 after a three-month stalemate, but issues that sparked the civil war, such as land reform and grounds for citizenship, remain unresolved.

The northern government has yet to exert control over the northern regions and tensions remain high between Gbagbo and opposition leaders. Several thousand French and West African troops, and a moderately-sized United Nations contingent, remain in Côte d'Ivoire to maintain peace and facilitate the disarmament, demobilization, and rehabilitation process.

Rond-point Liberté Adjamé - A busy day in Abidjan

Elections were finally held in 2010. The first round of elections were held peacefully, and widely hailed as free and fair. Runoffs were held 28 November 2010, after being delayed one week from the original date of 21 November. Laurent Gbagbo, as president, ran against former Prime Minister Alassane Ouattara. On 2 Dec and the Electoral Commission declared that Ouattara had won the election by a margin of 54% to 46%. The majority of the rest of the world's governments supported that declaration, but the Gbagbo-aligned Constitutional Council rejected it and then announced that country's borders had been sealed. An Ivorian military spokesman said, "The air, land and sea border of the nation are closed to all movement of people and goods."

There has been an armed insurgency ever since, with pro-Ouattara forces on the one side and pro-Gbagbo forces on the other. By 1 April 2011, pro-Ouattara forces had penetrated Abidjan and street-level combat between the two sides was occurring. Most governments are still advising their citizens against travel to the nation.

How is the Climate in Côte d'Ivoire

Tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November - Mar), hot and dry (March - May), hot and wet (June - Oct). The coast has heavy surf and no natural harbours; during the rainy season torrential flooding is feasible.

Terrain

Mostly flat to undulating plains with mountains in the northwest. Most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region. Apart from the capital area and the forested interior is sparsely populated. The highest point is Mont Nimba at 1,752 m.

The People of Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire has more than 60 ethnic groups but the Baoule are the largest ethnic group.

How to travel to Côte d'Ivoire

Visa policy of Cote d'Ivoire - A map showing the visa requirements of Côte d'Ivoire, with countries in green having visa-free access

Visa & Passport Requirements to enter Côte d'Ivoire

All ECOWAS countries, as well as Central African Republic, Republic of Congo, Morocco, Tunisia, Mauritania, Seychelles, Chad, Singapore and Philippines citizens may enjoy visa free to Côte d'Ivoire on arrival. Other visitors are able to apply for an E-Visa online beforehand, which pre-approves travelers and allows them to receive three-month visas on arrival at Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. Please consult the E-Visa website for further details and to apply. Cost of the visa is €73 (as of Jan 2023).Alternatively and the following countries or territories listed as those whose citizens may obtain a visa in Côte d'Ivoire embassy or consulate without prior consultation of the le/Conseil%20aux%20voyageurs/Annexe.pdf Minister for Security

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Côte d'Ivoire

Felix HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY INT. AIRPORT. ABIDJAN - panoramio - Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan

The Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport has daily scheduled Flights to and from Paris with Air France and Brussels with Brussels airlines. There are also regular Flights to other African capitals. The airport is a modern facility and increased security has shaken its old reputation as a place for Muslim travellers to be ripped off.

Travel by train to Côte d'Ivoire

The train journey between Abidjan and Ougadougou cuts through rebel territory and should not be attempted by foreign travellers.

By car

It is ill advised to try to enter Côte d'Ivoire from Guinea, Liberia, Mali, or Burkina Faso. The Ghanaian border is fairly secure. If you enter at Elubo, you can easily catch a shared taxi to Aboisso and then a bus to Abidjan. There are about ten military check-points between the border and Abidjan so have your documents ready. If you do not have proper documentation of your inoculations at the border you will be forced to pay a small fine and they will give you an injection at an on-site clinic.

Travel on a Bus in Côte d'Ivoire

Buses run daily between Abidjan and [Accra]]. The service is offered alternating between the STC (Ghana) and its Ivorian equivalent.

How to get around in Côte d'Ivoire

Intercity travel in Côte d'Ivoire is more comfortable than travel in neighbouring West African countries. The roads are generally in good condition and the bus service is relatively modern. The downside is the very frequent military checkpoints which add hours to a trip. Though the stops are a hassle, Ivorian soldiers tend to be quite professional and don't hassle non-French Western travellers. Soldiers in Ghana, for example, are much more likely to demand a bribe than in Côte d'Ivoire. Most Western governments recommend that their citizens steer clear of Côte d'Ivoire. This should be taken particularly seriously by people who are not travelling on French passports. An Ivorian soldier's attitude towards you will change very quickly when and if you explain that you are not French.

Travelling around Abidjan is easiest when you have your own vehicle. The roads are very good and the traffic rules are obeyed to the T, except some taxi drivers who steer everywhere on the road. Lane discipline and traffic lights are followed with rigour.

Taxis are a great and easy way to get around in Abidjan. Just look for an orange coloured vehicle and flag it down. Fares are very cheap: USD2–4 depending on the length of the journey. Always bargain before you get into the taxi. Overall however and they are reasonably priced, unlike in [Accra]].

Local Language in Côte d'Ivoire

The official language is French, which is widely spoken and the main language of most urban areas. There are also around 70 native languages: important ones include Anyin and Baoulé (related to Twi phrasebook|Twi), Attié, Bété, Dan, Dioula, Guro, and Senari. English is not spoken outside of major international hotels, so basic French proficiency is crucial to getting around.

What to see in Côte d'Ivoire

Basilique du Notre Dame de la Paix, Yammassoukro, Cote d'Ivoire - Basilica of Our Lady of Peace of Yamoussoukro

Fine beaches, tourist villages, rainforests and wildlife preserves are the principal attractions of Côte d'Ivoire.

• Taï National Park has the largest tropical rainforest in West Africa.
• Comoë National Park is the biggest and best-known national park in Côte d'Ivoire. It has plenty of wildlife including birds, elephants, giraffes, lions, monkeys and antelopes.

Shopping

Money Matters & ATM's in Côte d'Ivoire

The currency of the nation is the West African CFA franc, denoted CFA (ISO currency code: XOF). It's also used by seven other West African countries. It is interchangeable at par with the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is used by six countries. Both currencies are fixed at a rate of 1 euro 655.957 CFA francs.

ATMs

ATMs are generally available at banks in urban areas and accept both Visa and Mastercard.

Halal Restaurants

Poissons fumés attiéké - To the left: attiéké, to the right: smoked fish and vegetables

Good eats are affordable and you can find very good restaurants in Abidjan. You should get a vaccine for Hepatitis A before coming but even street foods are fairly clean. Try the national dishes like "garba", "alloco" and "attiéké". Alloco is simply fried plantains, mostly accompanied by a spicy vegetable Sauce and boiled eggs. L'attiéké—grated cassava that look like couscous but taste slightly sour—is often served with grilled fish and vegetables (tomatoes, onions, cucumber) and a must-try. Braised fishes and chickens are also very good and can be found on every corner. The most established chain is Coq Ivoire. When you order, make sure that you let them know whether you want the intestines. You can always ask for extra vegetables, especially avocados, which are amazing during the season.Another speciality is the excellent "shoukouilla" a blend of charbroiled meat! For the ones who are not adventurous you can find the Hamburger House or the French restaurant at the Sofitel Hotel. Kedjenou is a spicy stew and is very popular.

Bidul Bar, Havana Club and others are in Zone 4 or Zone Quatre. If you do go, be aware of prostitutes that will want to talk to you. Other places are in Treicheville and Cocody but you should have private transportation or a cab. Note the recommended security precautions in the "Stay safe" section of this Travel Guide.

eHalal Group Launches Halal Guide to Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire - eHalal Travel Group, a leading provider of innovative Halal travel solutions for Muslim travelers to Côte d'Ivoire, is thrilled to announce the official launch of its comprehensive Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Côte d'Ivoire. This groundbreaking initiative aims to cater to the diverse needs of Muslim travelers, offering them a seamless and enriching travel experience in Côte d'Ivoire and its surrounding regions.

With the steady growth of Muslim tourism worldwide, eHalal Travel Group recognizes the importance of providing Muslim travelers with accessible, accurate, and up-to-date information to support their travel aspirations to Côte d'Ivoire. The Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide is designed to be a one-stop resource, offering an array of invaluable information on various travel aspects, all carefully curated to align with Islamic principles and values.

The Travel Guide encompasses a wide range of features that will undoubtedly enhance the travel experience for Muslim visitors to Côte d'Ivoire. Key components include:

Halal-Friendly Accommodations in Côte d'Ivoire: A carefully selected list of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that cater to halal requirements, ensuring a comfortable and welcoming stay for Muslim travelers in Côte d'Ivoire.

Halal Food, Restaurants and Dining in Côte d'Ivoire: A comprehensive directory of restaurants, eateries, and food outlets offering halal-certified or halal-friendly options in Côte d'Ivoire, allowing Muslim travelers to savor local cuisines without compromising their dietary preferences in Côte d'Ivoire.

Prayer Facilities: Information on masjids, prayer rooms, and suitable locations for daily prayers in Côte d'Ivoire, ensuring ease and convenience for Muslim visitors in fulfilling their religious obligations.

Local Attractions: An engaging compilation of Muslim-friendly attractions, cultural sites such as Museums, and points of interest in Côte d'Ivoire, enabling travelers to explore the city's rich heritage while adhering to their values.

Transport and Logistics: Practical guidance on transportation options that accommodate Muslim travel needs, ensuring seamless movement within Côte d'Ivoire and beyond.

Speaking about the launch, Irwan Shah, Chief Technology Officer of eHalal Travel Group in Côte d'Ivoire, stated, "We are thrilled to introduce our Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide in Côte d'Ivoire, a Muslim friendly destination known for its cultural richness and historical significance. Our goal is to empower Muslim travelers with accurate information and resources, enabling them to experience the wonders of Côte d'Ivoire without any concerns about their faith-based requirements. This initiative reaffirms our commitment to creating inclusive and memorable travel experiences for all our clients."

The eHalal Travel Group's Halal and Muslim-Friendly Travel Guide for Côte d'Ivoire is now accessible on this page. The guide will be regularly updated to ensure that Muslim travelers have access to the latest information, thus reinforcing its status as a reliable companion for Muslim travelers exploring Côte d'Ivoire.

About eHalal Travel Group:

eHalal Travel Group Côte d'Ivoire is a prominent name in the global Muslim travel industry, dedicated to providing innovative and all-inclusive travel solutions tailored to the needs of Muslim travelers worldwide. With a commitment to excellence and inclusivity, eHalal Travel Group aims to foster a seamless travel experience for its clients while respecting their religious and cultural values.

For Halal business inquiries in Côte d'Ivoire, please contact:

eHalal Travel Group Côte d'Ivoire Media: info@ehalal.io

Buy Muslim Friendly condos, Houses and Villas in Côte d'Ivoire

eHalal Group Côte d'Ivoire is a prominent real estate company specializing in providing Muslim-friendly properties in Côte d'Ivoire. Our mission is to cater to the specific needs and preferences of the Muslim community by offering a wide range of halal-certified residential and commercial properties, including houses, condos, and factories. With our commitment to excellence, client satisfaction, and adherence to Islamic principles, eHalal Group has established itself as a trusted name in the real estate industry in Côte d'Ivoire.

At eHalal Group, we understand the importance of meeting the unique requirements of Muslim individuals and families seeking properties that align with their cultural and religious trainings. Our extensive portfolio of Muslim-friendly properties in Côte d'Ivoire ensures that clients have access to a diverse selection of options tailored to their needs. Whether it's a luxurious villa, a modern condominium, or a fully equipped factory, our team is dedicated to assisting clients in finding their ideal property.

For those seeking a comfortable and modern living space, our condos are an excellent choice. Starting at US$ 350,000 and these condominium units offer contemporary designs, state-of-the-art facilities, and convenient locations within Côte d'Ivoire. Each condo is thoughtfully designed to incorporate halal-friendly features and amenities, ensuring a seamless integration of Islamic values into everyday living.

If you are looking for a more spacious option, our houses are perfect for you. Starting at US$ 650,000, our houses provide ample living space, privacy, and a range of customizable features to meet your specific requirements. These houses are located in well-established neighborhoods in Côte d'Ivoire, offering a harmonious balance between modern living and Islamic values.

For those seeking luxury and exclusivity, our luxury villas in Côte d'Ivoire are the epitome of sophistication and elegance. Starting at US$ 1.5 million and these villas offer a lavish lifestyle with private amenities, breathtaking views, and meticulous attention to detail. Each luxury villa is meticulously designed to provide a serene and halal environment, allowing you to enjoy the finest living experience while adhering to your Islamic principles. For further details please email us at info@ehalal.io

Stay Safe

Côte d'Ivoire experiences periodic demonstrations and violence in northern regions, and it is recommended to contact your embassy or consult other travellers about the present situation prior to travel inland.

The UK's Foreign and Commonwealth office as well as the U.S. State Department advises against all but crucial travel to the Western regions of Dix-Huit Montagnes, Haut-Sassandra, Moyen-Cavally and Bas-Sassandra of Côte d'Ivoire at this time.

Most of the crime committed in Abidjan is by unemployed youth. Should you ever feel in danger it would be wise to seek the help of a middle-aged man. This older generation is often very contemptuous of young criminals and will likely help you out if you are being hassled. Generally Ivorians will recognize the dangers to Foreign Muslims in their country and will often be very protective of naïve travellers. Thit is especially true in the Abidjan neighbourhoods of Treichville and Adjame.

On 14th March 2016, militants killed at least 16 people in a gun attack on a Grand Bassam beach resort about 40km from Abidjan. The attack was claimed by al Qaeda (AQIM). Côte d'Ivoire had been previously listed as at risk of attack by militants and security had been tightened.

If you drive at night do not stop fully at lights or signs. Be aware of vehicle jackers. Keep a brisk pace so they cannot carjack you. Travellers from the West might also want to take a security detail with them when visiting bars and night clubs.

Medical Issues in Côte d'Ivoire

HIV/AIDS had once reached epidemic proportions in the nation but has since seen huge improvements with an adult prevalence of 2.7% as of 2022.

Tap water is generally not drinkable. Stick to bottled water.

Local Customs in Côte d'Ivoire

Ramadan 2025 in Côte d'Ivoire

Ramadan concludes with the festival of Eid al-Fitr, which may last several days, usually three in most countries.

The next Ramadan shall be from Friday, 28 February 2025 to Saturday, 29 March 2025

The next Eid al-Adha shall be on Friday, 6 June 2025

The next day of Raʾs al-Sana shall be on Thursday, 26 June 2025

The next day for Mawlid al-Nabī shall be on Monday, 16 September 2024 Although the nation was previously referred to in English as "Ivory Coast" and the nation has requested that it be called "Côte d'Ivoire" (the equivalent in French). Pronouncing it "Coat di-VWAR" is close enough for an English-speaking person.

Telecommunications in Côte d'Ivoire

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