Ivory Coast

Travellers are currently advised against all non-essential travel to government-controlled areas of Côte d’Ivoire, and all travel to rebel-controlled areas. For further advice, they should contact their local government travel advice department.

Côte d’Ivoire borders Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso and Ghana. The southern and western parts of the country feature undulating countryside rising to meet the savannah plains of the north and the mountainous western border. Major rivers flow into a series of lagoons. Abidjan, the former capital and largest city, is dominated by the Plateau, the central commercial district. The older, more traditional heart of the city is Treichville, home of many bars, restaurants and nightclubs as well as the colourful central market. In the west of the country is the attractive town of Man, situated in a region of forested mountains and plateaux. The nearby waterfalls are very popular tourist excursions. The administrative capital is Yamoussoukro, about 230km (143 miles) north of Abidjan. The town has a lively market and an international-standard golf course. Traditional dishes are kedjenou (chicken cooked with different vegetables and sealed in banana leaves) and attieké (cassava dish). For nightlife, Abidjan is the liveliest area with its hotels and lagoon-side tourist resorts.