The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to Cote d'Ivoire. U.S. citizens who reside in or travel to Cote d'Ivoire should monitor conditions carefully, maintain situational awareness, and pay very close attention to their personal security. While the security situation has improved during the past several months, the potential for some civil unrest remains. Security conditions could change quickly and without advanced warning. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning of June 16, 2011 to update U.S. citizens on the current security situation.

The Embassy continues to operate as a partially unaccompanied post, meaning minor dependents of U.S. government employees are not permitted to travel to or accompany family members to Cote d’Ivoire. Embassy personnel are also subject to travel limitations and are instructed to avoid large gatherings, crowds, and areas where political events are planned. Our ability to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency may be limited in certain circumstances. 

If you are planning travel to Cote d'Ivoire despite this Travel Warning, particularly to destinations outside of Abidjan, you should consult the Embassy or your host organization for the most recent security assessments of the areas to which you plan to travel. Crimes, such as mugging, robbery, burglary, and carjacking, pose risks for foreign visitors in Abidjan and around the country. You should be careful when stopped in heavy traffic or at road blocks due to the threat of assault and/or robbery, and you should avoid travel outside of the city after dark. Land routes to neighboring countries are open, but be cautious and alert when traveling these routes. Local law enforcement authorities have limited capacity to respond to emergencies.

U.S. citizens planning to depart the country should check the Abidjan International Airport website for flight availability prior to traveling to the airport.

U.S. citizens in Cote d’Ivoire are urged to contact the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan for information on the latest Embassy security guidelines, and to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). By enrolling, U.S. citizens make it easier for the Embassy to contact them in case of emergency.

U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan at Riviera Golf neighborhood of the Cocody section of Abidjan, east of the downtown area during normal business hours--Monday through Thursday 07:30 to 16:30, Friday 07:30 to 13:30.

You can stay in touch and receive Embassy updates by checking the U.S. Embassy Abidjan’s website. Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 if calling from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). You can also stay up to date by bookmarking our Bureau of Consular Affairs website, http://travel.state.gov, which contains the current Worldwide Caution. Follow us on Twitter and the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler iPhone App to have travel information at your fingertips.

If you are going to live in or travel to Cote d’Ivoire despite this Travel Warning, please take the time to tell us about your trip by enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). If you enroll, we can keep you up-to-date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. You should remember to keep all of your information in STEP up-to-date. It is important during enrollment or updating of information to include your current phone number and current email address where you can be reached in case of an emergency.

The Embassy is located at01 B.P. 1712 Abidjan 01 Cote d’Ivoire. If you have questions or concerns about safety or related issues, you are encouraged to contact the consular section at the Embassy by sending an email message to AbjAmcit@state.gov. The Embassy Consular’s section can be reached by telephone at 225-22-49-40-00 and emergency after-hours telephone at 225-22-49-44-50.