Cote d'Ivoire - Consular Information Sheet
October 18, 1993

Country Description:  Cote d'Ivoire is also known as the Ivory Coast.  It is 
a developing West African nation.  Tourism facilities in the capital city of 
Abidjan include some luxury hotels.  Other accommodations, especially 
outside the capital, may be limited in quality and availability.

Entry Requirements:  U.S. citizens are required to have passports.  A visa 
is not required for a stay of up to 90 days.  If a longer stay is 
anticipated, a visa is required.  Visa applications and further information 
on entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of the Republic of 
Cote d'Ivoire, 2424 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20008, 
telephone (202) 797-0300.  There are honorary consulates for Cote d'Ivoire 
in Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix.

Areas of Instability:  Because of the civil war in neighboring Liberia, the 
Liberia/Cote d'Ivoire border region is unsettled and potentially dangerous.  
Travelers may encounter road blocks, armed military personnel, and vehicle 
searches.

Medical Facilities:  Medical facilities in Cote d'Ivoire are adequate in 
Abidjan, the capital, but may be limited elsewhere.  Not all medicines are 
available.  Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for 
health services.  U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the 
United States.  Supplementary medical insurance with specific overseas 
coverage has proved to be useful.  Additional health information can be 
obtained from the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers 
hotline at (404) 332-4559.

Information on Crime:  Street crime of the "grab and run" variety, as well 
as pickpocketing in crowded areas, has increased.  Robbery, burglary and 
automobile theft are common offenses.  Armed criminals have used force when 
faced with resistance.  Travelers displaying jewelry and carrying expensive 
cameras are particularly at risk.  Travelers have found it useful to carry 
limited amounts of cash and only photocopies of key documents.  It is 
particularly dangerous to visit the Treichville area or the Plateau business 
district in Abidjan after dark.  The DeGaulle and Houphouet-Boigney bridges, 
which cross the lagoon in Abidjan, are dangerous areas for pedestrians, even 
in the daytime.  However, many hotels, restaurants, nightclubs and 
supermarkets provide security guards to protect clients and their vehicles.  
The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately 
to the local police and to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.  The 
pamphlets "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to Sub-Saharan 
Africa" provide useful information on protecting personal security while 
traveling abroad and on travel in the region in general.  Both are available 
from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, 
Washington, D.C. 20402.

Drug Penalties:  U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in 
which they are traveling.  Laws regarding possession or transportation of 
drugs are strictly enforced.

Driving Hazards:  Automobile accidents are one of the greatest threats to 
the well-being of Americans in Cote d'Ivoire.  Night driving is particularly 
hazardous due to poorly lit roads and vehicles.  Direct or indirect requests 
for bribes from the police and other security officials are commonplace, 
especially at highway checkpoints and near Abidjan's Port Bouet Airport.

In-Country Travel:  Airline travel in West Africa is routinely overbooked; 
schedules are limited, and airline assistance is of varying quality.  
Prudent passengers get the required seat reconfirmation stamped on the 
ticket; ensure that they have emergency funds for food and lodging in the 
event of unexpected delays; and arrive at the airport at least two hours 
before the scheduled departure time.

Registration:  U.S. citizens who register at the U.S. Embassy can obtain 
updated information on travel and security in Cote d'Ivoire.

Embassy Location:  The U.S. Embassy is located in Abidjan at 5 Rue Jesse 
Owens; the mailing address is 01 B.P. 1712, Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire; the 
telephone number is (225) 21-09-79, and the fax number is (225) 22-32-59.

No. 93-268

This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated December 24, 1992, to add 
information on reporting the loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport.