Safety in Côte d'Ivoire

Regions: The tourist south and the centre are broadly fine, but avoid travel towards the northern frontier. Armed group activity in the border zones with Mali and Burkina Faso makes the risk there too high.

In the city: Do not walk alone after dark in poorer quarters such as Adjamé. Street theft and bag snatching happen, so keep valuables and expensive electronics close.

Checkpoints: Rural highways have regular police document checks. Always carry your original passport with a valid entry stamp and stay polite and unhurried with officials.

Malaria: This is a serious risk here. Sort out a prophylaxis plan before you travel, use repellent from dusk onwards and sleep under a net.

Water: Do not drink from the tap or wash fruit in it. Buy sealed bottled water and skip ice in street cafés.

Hustles: Ignore anyone who latches on at a station offering to carry bags or find you a room. Agree the final price of any service or taxi ride before it starts.

Advisories: Conditions in the north shift, so check your own government's travel advisory shortly before departure.

Côte d'Ivoire is the economic centre of Francophone West Africa, recovered from civil conflict. Abidjan is a large modern city with the urban crime to match.

Abidjan. Pickpockets and bag snatching in Adjamé, Treichville and at the markets. Plateau and Cocody are calmer. Nobody walks at night.

Taxis. Orange city taxis have meters, though not always switched on. Yango and other apps operate.

The "friend" and the invitation. A regional classic: an introduction, conversation, an invitation to meet the family, and a request for money.

Online fraud. Côte d'Ivoire is known as a centre for "brouteurs" — internet fraudsters. Romance schemes and requests for transfers are widespread.

Currency exchange. The CFA franc is pegged to the euro. Change at banks.

Grand-Bassam. The historic capital and a UNESCO site, calm — but the beach currents are dangerous.

The north. The districts bordering Burkina Faso and Mali are affected by the threat from Sahelian groups. Attacks have occurred and travel there is not advised.

Photography. Military installations, police, the presidential palace, the airport, the port and bridges are off limits.

Drones. Permission is required.

Drugs. The law is strict.

Wildlife. Exporting ivory and animal parts is prohibited. Taï National Park has strict visiting rules.

Roads. Nobody drives between towns at night.

Documents. Carrying them is compulsory; police check frequently.

Same-sex relations are not formally criminalised, but society is conservative.

Yellow fever is compulsory. A certificate is required on entry.

Malaria. Very high risk year-round. Prophylaxis is essential.

Vaccinations. Hepatitis A and B, typhoid, meningococcus, rabies and polio.

Water. Bottled only.

The sea is the main physical danger. The coast from Abidjan to Grand-Bassam has extremely strong rip currents. Tourist drownings occur regularly and there are essentially no lifeguards. Swim only where a hotel has organised it.

Heat and humidity. Year-round.

Healthcare. Abidjan has acceptable private clinics, the best in the region after Ghana. Inland, provision is weak. Anything serious means evacuation to France. Insurance is needed.

Emergency numbers: 111 or 170 for police, 185 for ambulance.

Côte d'Ivoire sits mid-table in Africa on corruption, and roadside extortion occurs.

Checkpoints. On highways and in the city. Document checks are routine and requests for "help" are possible. Keep documents in order.

Reporting theft. Reports are taken and certificates issued. The language is French.

Abidjan at night. Travel by car. Zone 4 and Cocody are lively, but valuables stay out of sight there too.

The political situation. Election periods can bring unrest. A foreigner should stay clear.

What actually matters. Côte d'Ivoire's main risks are the ocean, malaria and urban crime in Abidjan. The north requires a separate check of conditions.

Emergency number is 111.