This advice has been reviewed and reissued. It contains new information in the Summary and under Safety and Security: Civil Unrest/Political Tension (Government disbanded), Local Travel (Piracy) and Where to get help (new contact numbers). The overall level of the advice has not changed.

Summary

Safety and Security

Terrorism

Terrorism is a threat throughout the world. You can find more information about this threat in our General Advice to Australian Travellers.

Civil Unrest/Political Tension

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution in Côte d’Ivoire because of the unpredictable security environment and the risk of serious crime. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media for information about possible new safety or security risks.

In March 2007, after several years of civil conflict and unrest, the main factions signed the Ouagadougou Peace Accord (OPA) which improved the political situation in Côte d’Ivoire. However delays in implementing the OPA, especially federal elections, have meant that underlying political tensions have not been resolved. In February 2010, the President of Côte d’Ivoire dissolved the Government and disbanded the Independent Electoral Commission. This has increased the risk of demonstrations and political unrest. The security situation is unpredictable and could deteriorate with little warning.

You should avoid protests and demonstrations throughout Côte d’Ivoire as they may become violent. Roadblocks may be encountered as part of demonstrations.

There is a heavy UN troop presence throughout the southern part of the country, including in the commercial capital, Abidjan.

We advise you to exercise a high degree of caution along the border with Guinea. The security situation is volatile due to the presence of military units in the area.

Dix-Huit Montagnes and Moyen-Cavally regions and the city of Bouake: We strongly advise you not to travel to the Dix-Huit Montagnes and Moyen-Cavally regions of western Côte d’Ivoire, bordering Liberia. Armed militias are active in the region and there have been reports of banditry and carjacking.

We advise you not to travel to the city of Bouake in central Côte d’Ivoire. Bouake was a main stronghold of rebel forces. While steps have been taken to re-integrate the rebel forces, the security situation could deteriorate suddenly with little to no warning.

Crime

There is a high risk of violent crime throughout Côte d’Ivoire. Car and bus-jackings are common and checkpoints and roadblocks may be encountered. You should avoid confrontations with police and security forces. Armed robbery is common, including of businesses and restaurants.

We advise you not to walk across the De Gaulle and Houphouet-Boigny bridges in Abidjan as pedestrians have been attacked and robbed even during the day. The risk of being a victim of crime increases at night.

Due to the high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance.

Commercial and internet fraud: Commercial and internet fraud often originates in West African countries. Victims have been defrauded and those who travel to the originating country have had their lives endangered. Some victims have been killed. Criminals have been known to seek details of 'safe' bank accounts overseas in which to transfer large sums of money (as a donation or for a percentage of the amount involved). They may also provide fake cashier cheques for 'urgent' shipments of large quantities of goods, request sizeable fees for a fake government contract and extort money from individuals they have convinced to travel to Africa for a business opportunity. If you are a victim of a financial scam, we advise you to get legal advice and not to travel to Africa to seek restitution as there is a risk of physical harm from the perpetrators. Our information on International Financial Scams provides more detail on these types of scams.

Some Australian citizens have also been defrauded or had their lives endangered by bogus internet friendship, dating and marriage schemes operating from West African countries. These scams typically result from connections made through internet dating schemes or chat rooms. Once a virtual relationship develops, the Australian citizen is asked by their friend or prospective marriage partner to send money to enable travel to Australia. Once the money has been received, the relationship is usually terminated and any chance of recovering the funds is highly unlikely. In some instances, foreigners who have travelled to Africa to meet their friend or prospective marriage partner have been kidnapped and held to ransom.

Local Travel

The road system is generally good but deteriorating. Unskilled drivers, inadequately maintained and overloaded vehicles, and inadequate lighting make driving conditions hazardous. Driving at night should be avoided. For further advice, see our bulletin on Overseas Road Safety.

Piracy occurs in coastal waters of West Africa. See our travel advice on Travelling by Sea for more information. The International Maritime Bureau issues piracy reports on its web site.

Strong coastal currents make swimming dangerous.

Airline Safety

Passengers on international flights to and from Australia are only allowed to carry a small amount of liquids (including aerosols and gels) in their carry-on baggage. You can find out more information at the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government website. Similar restrictions apply to flights in an increasing number of countries. Contact your airline for further information.

If you have concerns about the safety standards of a particular airline or aircraft, we recommend you research the airline or aircraft through organisations such as Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has published fact sheets on security for air travellers. When staff at Australia's overseas missions are advised not to use particular airlines due to safety concerns, this will be included in the travel advisory.

The European Union (EU) has published a list of airlines that are subject to operating bans or restrictions within the EU. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through its foreign assessment program focuses on a country's ability, not the individual airline, to adhere to international standards and recommended practices for aircraft operations and maintenance established by ICAO.

Natural Disasters, Severe Weather and Climate

Flooding can occur during the rainy seasons. Roads may become impassable during these periods. In southern coastal regions, the rainy season occurs from May to August and October to November. In the central and north-central region, heavy rain can occur during July to October and March to May. The rainy season is from July to November in the north.

Wildlife

Australians are advised to respect wildlife laws and to maintain a safe and legal distance when observing wildlife, including marine animals and birds. You should only use reputable and professional guides or tour operators and closely follow park regulations and wardens' advice.

Money and Valuables

Before you go, organise a variety of ways to access your money overseas, such as credit cards, travellers' cheques, cash, debit cards or cash cards. Australian currency and travellers' cheques are not accepted in many countries. Consult with your bank to find out which is the most appropriate currency to carry and whether your ATM card will work overseas. Australian currency is generally not an acceptable means of foreign exchange in West Africa.

Credit card fraud is common, be sure to keep your card in sight when making purchases.

Make two photocopies of valuable documents such as your passport, tickets, visas and travellers' cheques. Keep one copy with you in a separate place to the original and leave another copy with someone at home.

While travelling, don't carry too much cash and remember that expensive watches, jewellery and cameras may be tempting targets for thieves.

As a sensible precaution against luggage tampering, including theft, lock your luggage. Information on luggage safety is available from Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority.

Your passport is a valuable document that is attractive to criminals who may try to use your identity to commit crimes. It should always be kept in a safe place. You are required by Australian law to report a lost or stolen passport. If your passport is lost or stolen overseas, report it online or contact the nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate as soon as possible.

You are required to pay an additional fee to have a lost or stolen passport replaced. In some cases, the Government may also restrict the length of validity or type of replacement passports.

For Parents

For general information and tips on travelling with children see our Travelling Parents brochure.

If you are planning on placing your children in schools or childcare facilities overseas we encourage you to research the standards of security, care and staff training within those establishments. You should exercise the same precautions you would take before placing children into schools or childcare facilities in Australia.

Ideas on how to select childcare providers are available from the smartraveller Children's Issues page, Child Wise and the National Childcare Accreditation Council.

Local Laws

When you are in Côte d’Ivoire, be aware that local laws and penalties, including ones that appear harsh by Australian standards, do apply to you. If you are arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you but we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Information on what Australian consular officers can and cannot do to help Australians in trouble overseas is available from the Consular Services Charter.

Penalties for the use of illegal drugs include imprisonment.

Homosexuality is not a crime and is generally tolerated. However, if a formal complaint is made to the police, charges may be laid on the basis of solicitation, being a public nuisance or "behaving contrary to accepted standards of behaviour".

It is prohibited to take photographs near sensitive installations, including military sites, government buildings such as the radio and television stations, the Presidency building, the airport and the De Gaulle and Houphouet-Boigny bridges in Abidjan.

Some Australian criminal laws, such as those relating to money laundering, bribery of foreign public officials, terrorism and child sex tourism, apply to Australians overseas. Australians who commit these offences while overseas may be prosecuted in Australia.

Australian authorities are committed to combating sexual exploitation of children by Australians overseas. Australians may be prosecuted at home under Australian child sex tourism laws. These laws provide severe penalties of up to 17 years imprisonment for Australians who engage in sexual activity with children under 16 while outside of Australia.

Local Customs

There are conservative standards of dress and behaviour in Côte d’Ivoire and you should take care not to offend.

Information for Dual Nationals

Ivorians by birth who have acquired Australian citizenship will be regarded as Ivorian by local authorities. This may limit the ability of the Australian Government to provide consular assistance to Australian/Ivorian dual nationals who are arrested or detained. We recommend you travel on your Australian passport at all times.

Our 'Travel information for dual nationals' brochure provides further information for dual nationals.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Visa and other entry and exit conditions (such as currency, customs and quarantine regulations) change regularly. Contact the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Côte d’Ivoire for the most up to date information.

A valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Côte d’Ivoire.

Côte d’Ivoire is listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as endemic for yellow fever. Some airlines may require passengers to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate before being allowed to board flights out of the country. If in doubt, check with your airline.

If you have visited Côte d’Ivoire in the last six days prior to your date of return to Australia, Australian Customs officials will ask you to present a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate on entry into Australia.

Make sure your passport has at least six months' validity from your planned date of return to Australia. You should carry copies of a recent passport photo with you in case you need a replacement passport while overseas.

Health Issues

Pandemic (H1N1) 2009 has spread throughout the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides useful information for individuals and travellers on its website. For further information and advice to Australians, including on possible quarantine measures overseas, see our travel bulletin on Pandemic (H1N1) 2009.

We strongly recommend that you take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation, before you depart. Confirm that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in your policy. Remember, regardless of how healthy and fit you are, if you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. The Australian Government will not pay for a traveller's medical expenses overseas or medical evacuation costs.

Your doctor or travel clinic is the best source of information about preventive measures, immunisations (including booster doses of childhood vaccinations) and disease outbreaks overseas. The World Health Organization (WHO) provides information for travellers and our Travelling Well brochure also provides useful tips for travelling with medicines and staying healthy while overseas.

Outside the capital Abidjan, medical facilities are very limited. Serious medical conditions would require a medical evacuation to Australia or another suitable location. Medical evacuation costs could exceed $A100,000.

The rate of HIV/AIDS infection in Côte d’Ivoire is high. You should exercise appropriate precautions if engaging in activities that expose you to risk of infection.

Malaria and other tropical diseases are common in West African countries, including Côte d’Ivoire. You are strongly encouraged to consider having appropriate vaccinations before travelling, taking prophylaxis against malaria and using an insect repellent.

Water-borne, food-borne and other infectious diseases (including cholera, yellow fever, hepatitis, meningitis and tuberculosis) are common, with more serious outbreaks occurring from time to time. It is advisable to boil all drinking water or drink bottled water, and avoid ice cubes and raw and undercooked food. Do not swim in fresh water to avoid exposure to certain water-borne diseases such as bilharzia (schistosomiasis). Seek medical advice if you have a fever or are suffering from diarrhoea.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has confirmed cases of avian influenza in birds in a number of countries throughout the world, including in Côte d’Ivoire. For a list of these countries, visit the OIE website. For information on our advice to Australians on how to reduce the risk of infection and on Australian Government precautions see our travel bulletin on avian influenza.

Where to Get Help

Australia does not have an Embassy or Consulate in Côte d’Ivoire. By agreement between the Canadian and Australian governments, the local Canadian Embassy provides consular assistance to Australians in Côte d’Ivoire. You should register your presence online with the Canadian Embassy in Abidjan. This service does not include the issue of Australian passports. The address is:

Canadian Embassy
Immeuble Trade Centre
23 Avenue Nogues
Le Plateau
Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
Telephone: (225 20) 300 700
Facsimile: (225 20) 300 720
Email: abdjn@international.gc.ca

You can also obtain consular assistance from the nearest Australian High Commission which is in Accra, Ghana:

Australian High Commission
2, Second Rangoon Close
(cnr Josef Broz Tito Ave)
Cantonments
Accra, Ghana
Telephone: (+233) 21 216400
Facsimile: (+233) 21 216410
Email: AccraHC.Enquiries@dfat.gov.au

If you are travelling to Côte d’Ivoire, whatever the reason and however long you'll be there, we strongly recommend you register with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. You can register online or in person at any Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate. The information you provide will help us to contact you in an emergency - whether it is a natural disaster, civil disturbance or a family issue.

In a consular emergency, if you are unable to contact the above missions you can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or 1300 555 135 within Australia.

In Australia, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra may be contacted on (02) 6261 3305.