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Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), please see Ireland.ie.

Ivory Coast

If you’re travelling to the Ivory Coast our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information.

Security Status

  • Normal precautions
  • High degree of caution
  • Avoid non-essential travel
  • Do not travel
  • Overview
  • Safety and Security
  • Local Laws and Customs
  • Health
  • Additional Information
  • Embassy Contact

Overview

Overview

Security Status

High Degree of Caution

General Travel Advice

In recent years, there have been political protests in Abidjan and around the country, which have the potential to turn violent. Irish citizens should exercise caution and avoid political rallies and gatherings, areas of demonstrations, and protests. In the event of unrest, monitor local media and follow instructions and announcements from the local authorities.

Due to the presence of armed militia groups in the area, we advise against all but essential travel to the western regions of Cote d'Ivoire within 50 km of the border with Liberia.

Due to the threat of terrorism and kidnapping in the northern Sahelian regions of Cote d’Ivoire, we advise against all travel to:

  • Within 40km of the borders with Mali and Burkina Faso
  • Northern Zanzan and Savenes provinces
  • Comoé national park

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Cote d’Ivoire.

A valid passport is required for travel to Cote d’Ivoire. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months with at least one blank visa page. Passport cards cannot be used.

For more information on visas and passports, please see the Additional Information tab

Visitors to Cote d’Ivoire are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on social media (Twitter and Facebook) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if visitors have problems, try talking to local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

Visitors can contact the emergency services in Cote d’Ivoire by dialling the emergency numbers provided below:

  • Police: 170/110/111
  • Fire brigade: 112
  • Ambulance: 185

Our tips for Safe Travels:

  • Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
  • Register your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
  • Follow us on twitter @dfatravelwise for the latest travel updates.
  • Read our ‘Know Before You Go’ guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in Togo, we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the Irish Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria.

Safety and Security

Safety and security

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Cote d'Ivoire.   There are terrorist groups operating in Mali and Burkina Faso, which share a border with Cote d’Ivoire. These areas should be avoided as the borders are porous and cross border attacks are possible. There is also a risk of a terrorist attacks elsewhere in Côte d’Ivoire, including the capital Abidjan. A terrorist attack took place at Grand Bassam near Abidjan in2016, in which 18 people were killed including a number of foreigners. The attack was claimed an affiliate of Al-Qaeda. Indiscriminate terrorist attacks could target  civilian places frequented by tourists and expatriates such as hotels, beaches, churches or other areas where people gather.

Demonstrations

There were several incidents of violence and protest related to the military during 2017 and 2018. In the event of further protests, you are advised to follow directions of local authorities and monitor local media for updates.

You should avoid protests and large public gatherings as they have the potential to turn violent.

Crime

There is a risk of armed robbery and violent crime in Cote d'Ivoire as well as petty crime. You are advised to take common-sense precautions and get advice locally about the risks.

Attacks by armed robbers have been reported on the Yamoussoukro to Korogho highway and the Abidjan to Yamoussoukro highway as well as other parts of the country.

Driving

Driving standards and road conditions in Côte d’Ivoire are poor and are below the standard we are used to in Ireland. Avoid driving outside towns and cities at night as roads and vehicles can be poorly lit. During the rainy season travel by road can be treacherous, especially on rural unpaved roads.

Swimming

Ocean currents are very strong along the coast, and many swimming accidents are caused by rip tides. There’s no lifeboat service and many drownings occur each year.

Practical advice

  • Read our Know Before You Go travel guide for useful security tips when travelling abroad
  • Get advice locally about areas of risk and security concerns
  • Take common-sense precautions about safety and security
  • Know who to contact in case of an emergency

Local Laws and Customs

Local laws and customs

Practical advice

  • Read our travel advice, inform yourself before travelling and get advice locally when you arrive
  • Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them
  • Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or even illegal
  • Homosexuality is not illegal in Côte d’Ivoire, but there is no legal recognition of LGBT couples. However, public attitudes may be less tolerant than in Ireland, so you should be discreet.

Health

Health

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Vaccinations

Check what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. We can’t advise you on vaccinations, but you can get information about vaccinations from your local GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.

Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for all travellers to Cote d’Ivoire over 9 months of age.

Medication

Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.

Additional Information

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizens require a visa to enter Ivory Coast.  Further information on how to apply for a visa can be found from the Embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in the United Kingdom.

Passports must be valid for at least 6  months from date of entry and have at least 1 blank page. It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to the Ivory Coast and you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad  you should contact the Irish Embassy in Nigeria . We’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you.

What we can do:

  • Issue an emergency travel document that will get you home;
  • If required, provide advice on applying for new passport. 

You will need a police report if you want to make a claim on your travel insurance. We will not provide you with a travel document without a police report.

 

Embassy contact

Embassy Contact

We do not have an Embassy in Ivory Coast (Cote d'Ivoire), please contact Embassy of Ireland Nigeria.

If you need urgent assistance, you can contact the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Dublin on +353 1 408 2000.

Embassy of Ireland
11 Negro Crescent
Maitama District
Abuja
Nigeria

Tel: +234 9 462 1080
Fax: + 234 9 4131805

Monday to Thursday 9am to 4pm; Friday 9am to 12pm

Contact us