Abidjan Warnings Or Dangers

Coming from LA smog is smog but here it is bad. I have never sneezed so much in my life. The pic below is no fake. We came back to town from Grand Bassam and the air was black in front of us at 07:00 from all the diesel exhaust. Emission controls are just not a priority here sadly

After dark, the police and military set up roadblocks throughout the city. They stop virtually all vehicles and "inspect" them before asking for money. Typically one can politely refuse, but it is strongly reccomended to comply with reasonable demands for money if any tension is felt. Never provide the military with your passport unless specifically asked and never exit the vehicle unless ordered.

This tip is a bit tounge in cheek, But it did happen to me, I was staying on the 17th floor, went out at about 1 in the morning to watch a spectactular Thunderstorm, But the catch on the balcony sliding door clicked on after a naked me had gone out!!!, I spent all night on the balcony ,not being able to summon help, A very startled housekeeper let me in about 9am

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According to goverment statistics 13 million hectares of Virgin Forest were felled during the decades after independence in 1960 to make way for cocoa plantations and farms, Cote d’ivoire is now the worlds leading producer of Cocoa.
However since the civil war broke out in 2002 large areas of the forests are being illegally logged and the already dwindling forests are now being decimated at an alarming rate. Some of these giant hardwoods take between 300/400 years to reach maturity.

In november 2004 the government launched military operations against rebels and demonstrators in the streets of Abidjan clashed with police. Traveling to this destination is not advised due to the tense situation.

Nothing to be worried
Extremely safe city
Abidjan is as dangereous as Newyork city and as safe as Dubai.
May be the one of the safest city in africa after Accra.
Just do not walk alone after midnight. We were at night clubs till 05:00 am .

I was driven through Adjamé at night and that is definitely one place you do NOT want to be walking alone in the dark! Treichville and even Le Plateau are quite dangerous at night, especially since not all streets have street lights. I walked down a couple of dark streets in Le Plateau after dark.. luckily it was only 7pm and there were still some people on the streets and I was dressed down. Probably wouldn't do that again though.

This is a absolute No NO here ,especialy around the bridges of both Charles de Gaulle and Houphouet-Boigny you will get robbed, never resist as the robbers will not hesitate to stab or shoot you