What the governments of the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada tell their own citizens about travelling to Côte d'Ivoire, in their own words, plus practical help with packing.
Travel advice levels
Each government rates the risks for its own citizens, on its own scale. The levels are shown exactly as published; they are not equivalent to each other and are not combined here.
UK
United KingdomForeign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to parts of the country
No numbered levels
Updated 29 May 2026
Latest change, in the source's words:Addition of information about heightened health screening measures for those entering Côte d'Ivoire from Ebola-affected regions ('Entry requirements' page).
The official source shows no update to this advice in over 12 months. Check the official page for the current version.
Trip Rulebook could not refresh this source since 30 September 2026. The official website may have newer advice.
Emergency numbers
From the section “Emergency services in Côte d’Ivoire” of the UK government's travel advice for Côte d'Ivoire, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Ambulance: 185
Fire: 180
Police: 110, 111 or 170
Local laws and customs
From the section “Laws and cultural differences” of the UK government's travel advice for Côte d'Ivoire, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
Personal ID
You must carry your passport. Carry the original as the police will not always accept copies.
Dress code
Dress modestly when visiting religious places or buildings.
Illegal drugs and prison sentences
Drug trafficking and possession are illegal. If you’re found guilty, you could receive a long prison sentence or a heavy fine.
Using cameras in secure areas
It is prohibited to take photographs near sensitive installations, including:
military sites
government buildings
radio and TV stations
the Presidency building
Abidjan Airport
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex sexual activity is not illegal in Côte d’Ivoire, but the law does not recognise same-sex partnerships or marriage. Attitudes are less tolerant and there is no specific anti-discrimination law to protect LGBT+ people.
From the section “Medication” of the UK government's travel advice for Côte d'Ivoire, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
From the section “Extreme weather and natural disasters” of the UK government's travel advice for Côte d'Ivoire, written for British travellers. Reproduced without changes to the wording; formatting adapted.
The rainy season is between May and November. Torrential rains often cause flooding, landslides and large potholes. Flash flooding has caused deaths. Monitor local weather reports.
Ocean currents
Ocean currents are very strong along the coast. Rip tides cause many swimming accidents and drownings each year. There is no lifeboat or rescue service.
Practical suggestions from Trip Rulebook, based on open data and fixed rules. They are not safety or legal advice: rules on clothing, medicines and restricted items are covered only by the official text on this page.
Chargers and plugs
Plug typesCE
Voltage230/400 V
Frequency50 Hz
Plug and voltage data: Wikipedia, “Mains electricity by country”, CC BY-SA 4.0 (licence), retrieved 2026-09-29. Sockets in hotels can differ; the label on your charger (for example “INPUT 100–240V”) tells you which voltages it accepts.
Clothes for the weather
Rainfall Average temperature
January
Average
26 °C (79 °F)
Lows
19 °C (67 °F)
Highs
33 °C (92 °F)
Rain
13 mm (0.5 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
February
Average
28 °C (83 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
35 °C (95 °F)
Rain
34 mm (1.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
March
Average
29 °C (84 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
35 °C (95 °F)
Rain
79 mm (3.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
April
Average
29 °C (83 °F)
Lows
23 °C (74 °F)
Highs
34 °C (93 °F)
Rain
123 mm (4.8 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
May
Average
28 °C (82 °F)
Lows
23 °C (73 °F)
Highs
32 °C (90 °F)
Rain
150 mm (5.9 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
June
Average
27 °C (80 °F)
Lows
22 °C (72 °F)
Highs
31 °C (87 °F)
Rain
181 mm (7.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
July
Average
25 °C (78 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
29 °C (84 °F)
Rain
148 mm (5.8 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
August
Average
25 °C (77 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
29 °C (84 °F)
Rain
155 mm (6.1 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
September
Average
26 °C (78 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
30 °C (85 °F)
Rain
187 mm (7.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
October
Average
26 °C (80 °F)
Lows
22 °C (72 °F)
Highs
31 °C (88 °F)
Rain
153 mm (6.0 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Frequent rain on average: a rain jacket or umbrella.
November
Average
27 °C (81 °F)
Lows
22 °C (71 °F)
Highs
32 °C (90 °F)
Rain
59 mm (2.3 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Some rain on average: a compact umbrella.
December
Average
26 °C (79 °F)
Lows
20 °C (68 °F)
Highs
32 °C (90 °F)
Rain
20 mm (0.8 in)
Light, breathable clothes, sun hat and sunscreen.
Very hot days on average: loose clothing and a refillable water bottle.
Big difference between day and night: pack layers.
Usually dry.
National averages for 1991-2020. Coasts, mountains and regions can be very different, and any given year can be warmer, colder or wetter. Suggestions come from fixed rules based on these averages. Climate data: World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal, observed climate data (CRU TS), CRU TS (cru_ts4.09), Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia, CC BY 4.0 (licence).
Visa and entry rules depend on your nationality and change often, so Trip Rulebook does not summarise them. Each government explains the rules for its own citizens. If you travel on another passport, check with the embassy or the official immigration website of Côte d'Ivoire.
This page is guidance, not legal advice. Laws and advice change without notice and are written for each government's own citizens, so they may apply to you differently. Confirm everything with the official source before you travel. Terms of use.