Hello! The 15th of April I will leave for Ivory Coast for six weeks to do research. BUT: There is so little information about the country for travellers. How to get around/places to stay/do's and don't's etc. And I can't figure out what's the best currency to take with me: euro's/dollars/traveller cheques?
Does anyone have any information about payment/travellersinformation in Ivory Coast. Everything is welcome! Thank you in advance.

Never been myself but here is some info and a link you may find useful.

From what I've heard the South/ Government/ Christian is more stable and the North is rebel/ Islamic territory. The country is divided in half. With French and UN forces policing the middle divide.

The current government is not the most popular and demonstrations can turn into riots at any moment. Avoid these if you can.

~Stiv

http://www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations/africa/cote-d'ivoire

http://thorntree.lonelyplanet.com/categories.cfm?catid=9

I'm afraid the situation there is not good at the moment. See the UK Government Advice.

I suggest you post your question on http://www.comebackalive.com

Lots of good info on there.

Robert Young Pelton is one of the owners of the sight. He wrote several editions of the "World Most Dangerous Places"

Kind of like throwing them to the wolves eh Mr. Martin. Even you don't pop by there very often anymore, except for a few explitive laden tirades now and then.

~Stiv <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Argue.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your information...and still, if you have more. please let me know. It's funny how people react when you tell them you go to a country that isn't considered safe cencerning the Western standards. The tense situation in Ivory Coast should be taken seriously, but I think every country can be visited as long as you're well informed and you know where you shouldn't go and what you shouldn't do, also for women (like me). Just use your common sense and don't be too naive.

So please, keep on sending useful information. But don't say i shouldn't go...the ticket is bought and i am going anyway !

sinne,
I would never ever say don't go or don't do this or that. It's your call all the away.

You're totally right about safety. Use some common sense be aware of your surroundings, make local connections, get a feel for the local mood, and be careful crossing the street <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Cool.gif" alt="" />

Here's another site that has a good forum with some pretty experienced travellers that regularly go into dicey situations as journos, NGO's, contracters, travellers etc

http://www.polosbastards.com/pb/

And a few with helpful info:
http://www.worldtravelwatch.com/
http://www.kevincoffee.com/security/third_world_travel_safety_tips.htm

Good luck,
Best,
Stiv

I don't know if you have experience in Africa or in the third world, but if you don't, you may really be underestimating the volatility and danger of the situation. I haven't been in Africa for over 20 years, but was working in Ghana during two coup-de-etats. Things get out of control and you're really on your own. Being a citizen of some other country quickly means nothing.

Are you connected with any agency or institution? Do you have any contacts there? Do you speak French? Even if you do speak French, a lot of people won't. It seems that if you're turning to the internet for basic info--like travel, customs, currency--you might be getting in over your head, considering how unstable things are there. Common sense sometimes isn't enough when you're in a strange culture in a country that's coming apart at the seams.

Oh golly, I wasn't even paying attention to dates. She was leaving mid-April for six weeks. Too late to save her.