Always carry your passport with you. Gendarmes (police) regularly stop people, and they will ask for your passport as well as your international driver's licence if you happen to be driving.
During the day, Abidjan is a very nice city to stroll around. I found people to be very helpful, even with my broken French; as long as you try, they will be much more receptive.
James Wilson, Australia (Mar 99)
Don't miss the Notre Dame de la Paix church in Yamoussoukro. This huge copy of the Vatican was built in the new capital of this country. There are daily buses from Bidjan. The church looks close from downtown but is actually quite a long walk.
Alexander Garcia, Sweden (Sep 98)
In Cote d'Ivoire the only bank which accepts MasterCard is the COBACI bank in Abidjan. You can find it on the first floor of the building behind the SIB bank in le Plateau.
Avoid the Gare Routiere in Adjame if you carry anything that is worth stealing. We took five local young men with us to protect us against voleurs and still someone managed to steal my watch from my wrist. If you must take a bus that leaves from the Gare, the best option is to buy your tickets in advance. Do not take your luggage with you and take off all your jewellery - including your watch! When you buy your tickets make a deal with the chauffer to pick you up at a stop outside the Gare. We were told that many of the local people do this as well.. The Gare routiere is not safe for locals, let alone tourists.
Ancien Bassam is a very relaxed place. Near the beach you'll get hassled by people who want to be your guide or want to sell you things. The north of Grand Bassam and especially the area near the market is much more relaxed. Don't cross the bridge that connects old and new Bassam by foot. It is said only to be dangerous at night, but we got robbed crossing the bridge in the middle of the day. Taking a cab is much safer.
Saskia Marijnissen, The Netherlands (Aug 98)
Cote d'Ivoire is a lot more developed than Ghana, especially Abidjan. It is more fast-paced, hustle-bustle etc, and a lot more expensive (though still cheap compared to western standards). Take the usual precautions in Abidjan and you shouldnt have too many problems. Try get out to the western coast of Cote D'Ivoire, near Sassandra and go to one of the beach resorts for a few days (cheap accomodation, though the food was expensive so we walked back to town for our meals). Yammasoukro was amazing just to see the incredible Basilica, surrounded by a totally artificial city. The Man area was pretty, we didnt get to do much hiking though I'm told it is a great spot to hike. In general, Cote D'Ivoire was great (assuming you speak some french). It was more developed and more "western" than Ghana in a lot of ways. Parts of Abidjan looked like they could have been New York, Rome, wherever and just a few suburbs away you were easily reminded that this was Africa, not USA or Europe. It was easy enough getting around Cote D'Ivoire and Ghana...not always comfortable and almost never punctual, but still pretty easy and fun (especially the tro-tros and bush-taxis).
Gav (Jan 98)
There are meter taxis but drivers tend to "forget" to turn on the meter, then when you remind them to do so they try to turn around as much as possible. Knowing your way and having a map in hand helps reduce costs. A ride through La Plateau shouldn't be more than 300, a ride from Treichville to le Plateau about 600 (for the whole taxi).
Frtiz & Katia - France (Jan 98)
Le Plateau - Citibank doesn't accept visa cards at all, including Citibank visa cards!
Barclays -travellers reported that they were able to withdraw money with a MasterCard, being charged CFA17,000!
Bicici is (maybe) the only place able to deal with cards correctly. They accept visa cards, with no charge at all.
Frtiz & Katia - France (Nov 1997)
CÔTE D'IVOIRE