Safety Tips in Cote D'Ivoire

Those previous warnings aer no longer valid. Have no fear of Cote d'Ivoire. The greatest turmoils is now settled and a wonderful president is attempting to alter the errors of the past. Follow the rules, don't be presumptious, rude, or arrogant and you will be fine. Ivoirians in general are not a harsh people toward non-african visitors. THey are more protective than anything. One particular experience that I had demonstrates that. I was being harassed in the market place and simply ignored the man when his harrassing nearly turned aggressive the other merchants in the market stopped him and protected me. Honestly I fell completely safe living here. Be wise and street smart and there are no problems.

Ethnic tensions between the predominantly Christian and animist west and south (where the country's economic and political power is centred) and the Muslim north have erupted over the past few months and led to numerous violent clashes. There's no end to the fighting in sight, particularly as those in the north are still angry at their political leader's exclusion from recent elections (it was claimed he's not Ivorian by birth). There is strong resentment towards non-Ivorians (mostly farmers from neighbouring countries) living in Côte d'Ivoire. Travellers should keep up to date on the situation in the country or they might find themselves in the middle of mass protests similar to those that saw former ruler Général Guéi ousted - after violence that claimed nearly 300 lives - in October 2000. In an atmosphere of growing violence towards foreign residents, the situation remains uncertain at best.

I stayed with a local family on most occassions and felt safe at all times. They weren't too happy when I went out for a walk on my own one evening. Apparently the risk then was quite large, but I think the locals all recognised me as La Blanche who was staying in their district and were nothing but friendly towards me. Only risks were when travelling on the public transport - usually a local came with me to make it easier. The sun is very hot here. Be careful. The beaches around Abidjan are spectacular but the currents there are treacherous. I would NOT recommend swimming at most of them.

If you don’t speak French it will be very difficult to communicate.
There aren’t that many people who speak English.