Can I use credit cards and foreign currency in Ivory Coast?

Yes, you can use credit cards and foreign currency in the Ivory Coast. Here's how credit cards and foreign currency work there:

Using Credit Cards in Ivory Coast

Credit cards, notably Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in larger hotels, upmarket restaurants, and major supermarkets in cities such as Abidjan, Yamoussoukro, and Grand-Bassam. However, acceptance may not be as prevalent as in more developed nations. Outside of urban areas or in smaller establishments, street sellers or rural locations may not accept credit cards, so cash is king.

Advice:

Before traveling to the Ivory Coast, notify your credit card provider or bank of your plans to confirm that your card will operate abroad and to learn about any fees or limitations related to foreign purchases.

The official currency in the Ivory Coast is the West African CFA franc (XOF). Keeping some local money on hand for day-to-day spending is good, especially in markets, small stores, or locations where credit card acceptance is limited.

ATMs are available in cities. You can withdraw CFA francs (XOF) by using international cards (like Visa, MasterCard), though fees may apply. Banks like Ecobank, Société Générale, UBA, and BICICI have reliable ATMs.

Using Foreign Currency in Ivory Coast

Foreign currencies like USD, EUR, and GBP aren’t widely accepted for everyday transactions. US dollars may be exchanged in the banks, hotels, and licensed bureaux de change, with banks typically offering better rates. Before going across the nation, exchange money in Abidjan because changing money might be difficult in some locations.

Advice:

Avoid informal street exchanges due to the risk of scams or counterfeit notes.

Carry cash for small purchases, taxis, and rural areas. Keep small denominations of CFA francs, as vendors may struggle with large bills.

The CFA franc is pegged to the euro, so euros might be easier to exchange than other currencies. Here are the exchange rates for the CFA franc to foreign currencies for travelers:

1 EUR = 655.96 XOF
1 USD = 607.71 XOF
1 GBP = 786.61 XOF

In short, you can use credit cards in some places, but don’t rely on them exclusively. Foreign currency won’t get you far without exchanging it first. For smooth transactions, carry a mix of CFA francs and a credit/debit card, and withdraw local currency from ATMs when needed.

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