Can I use credit cards and foreign currency 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. However, acceptance may not be as prevalent as in more developed nations, and smaller enterprises, street sellers, or rural locations may not accept credit cards.

Before traveling to 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. Additionally, keeping extra cash on hand as a backup is advisable, especially for smaller locations where card acceptance may be limited.

Ivory Coast's national currency 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.

US dollars may be exchanged in the country's banks or at currency exchange businesses in major tourist regions. However, before going across the nation, exchange money in Abidjan because changing money might be difficult in some locations. Because few places accept credit cards, it is usually advisable to have cash.

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