Is Ivory Coast Safe for Solo Female Travelers?

Ivory Coast is a country where a degree of caution should be practiced. In general, Ivorians are friendly and welcoming to tourists. However, moderate crime rates do exist especially in urban areas, including petty theft and occasional violent crimes. It is advisable to avoid traveling at night, particularly in isolated areas, and keep your belongings secure. As a solo female traveler, you should dress modestly to respect the local culture. Showing strong situational awareness and using trusted local guides can enhance your sense of security and safety.

Safety rating

2.5 /5

Based on our research and crime data

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How safe is Ivory Coast?

Safety at night:Unsafe

Côte d’Ivoire, specifically Ivory Coast, like many other places, can have some safety issues at night. As a solo female traveler, it is generally not advisable to walk around alone at night for your own personal safety. The level of street lighting varies, and in less touristic or rural areas it is often inadequate. Moreover, fewer people might be around in case of a problematic situation. It's always important to be cautious and use trusted transportation or stay in well-lit areas if you need to be out at night.

Public transportation:Unsafe

Public transportation in Côte d’Ivoire, such as buses, minibuses, and taxis, often tends to be overcrowded and is statistically associated with a high number of accidents, attributed partly to poor maintenance of both vehicles and roads. Other safety risks include pickpocketing and other petty crimes that often occur in such crowded areas. Conducting regular checks on your belongings and avoiding traveling at night is advisable. For more comfortable and safer options, consider hiring a private driver or using a reputable taxi company, though these options may be more costly.

Street harassment:Moderate

Street harassment in Côte d'Ivoire is somewhat prevalent, particularly in larger cities and more crowded areas. While it isn't necessarily a daily occurrence for every woman, it does happen, often in the form of catcalling or unwanted attention. Ground rules and cultural norms vary, so it's always a good idea to understand the local context and take extra precautions.

Petty crimes:Moderate

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing, purse snatching, and theft from cars are somewhat common, particularly in larger cities like Abidjan. Tourist areas and public transportation are often targeted by criminals. Always practice vigilance and avoid displaying flashy belongings or carrying large sums of money in public.

Is Ivory Coast worth visiting?

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Is Ivory Coast safe for women?

Grace

Abidjan

During my solo trip to Abidjan, I had a wonderful experience. The people of Ivory Coast were incredibly friendly and welcoming, always ready to lend a helping hand. I truly appreciated their kindness and the sense of community that encourages helping strangers. Throughout my stay, I felt safe and at ease, with everything going smoothly. It was a memorable journey filled with warmth and positivity.

Posted: April 13, 2025

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Meet locals in Ivory Coast

Sarah

About Me

Hello there 👋🏽 I’m Sarah. From the Republic of Congo 🇨🇬 Raised all over 🌍🌎#TCK Travel enthusiast 🗺️ ✈️28 countries and counting Food & nature lover 🍜🌅 I have a passion for traveling, food, exploring other cultures, and learning new languages (fluent in French & English, conversational Korean, some comprehension of Spanish, Portuguese & Mandarin). 📍Abidjan🇨🇮

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Léna

Abidjan

Can host for:

3 days

About me

Hey, I'm Léna, 25 years old, from Bretagne (West France) and I'm a cinema technician (grip). I lived 2 years in Togo, been lots of time in Germany to visit my friends there, and I moved to Ivory-Coast last February. My mother language is french and I speak also fluent german. I'm learning spanish, dutch, baoulé and dioula. I love to discover other cultures and arts of living.

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Upcoming visitors to Ivory Coast

Flo

About Me

Hi I come from a family of 8 children and l value family, it is an important part of my life I would like to describe myself as a caring, fun, reliable, patient and hardworking person. I play piano and sing ! I have singing music master. I love dancing too ! I'm a native french speaker, i was born and raised in Belgium I taught french lessons to many kids in my last french teacher job. Hope to see you soon

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Safety in Ivory Coast

Korhogo

Grand-Bassam

Abidjan

Assinie-Mafia

Assinie

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