Best Bitcoin Exchange for Ivory Coast
Africa’s fantastic landscape and wildlife is reflected especially in the West African Ivory Coast. In addition to breathtaking stretches of coastline, it also offers numerous national parks in which the great variety of plants and animals of West Africa can be visited. Natural beauties like the waterfalls of La Cascade or the Nimba Mountains offer unforgettable holiday memories. A little more African life can be experienced in Abidjan, which is one of the most modern cities in Africa. Here the traditional Africa meets Europe and offers a broad impression of the different cultures and ways of life.
A trip to the Ivory Coast must be well prepared. In addition to the recommended vaccinations, the travel documents should also be checked for validity in good time in order to renew them if necessary. Important: An entry at the Ivory Coast is only possible for Europeans with a valid visa, which must be issued at the latest at the international airport in Abidjan.
A good travel preparation also includes the travel fund. Where and how money can be withdrawn at the Ivory Coast, which means of payment are accepted, what cost-saving alternatives are offered and much more about the travel fund can be read in the following article.
CFA-Franc BCEAO (XOF) – the local currency
Overview Banknotes CFA-FrancThe official means of payment and therefore national currency of Côte d’Ivoire is the CFA-Franc BCEAO, divided into 100 Centimes. The currency is available in coins and banknotes and is denominated as follows:
- Coins: 1, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500 CFA francs
- Notes: 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 CFA francs
Local and foreign currencies may be introduced without restriction, but are subject to a declaration obligation. Without a declaration, the export of foreign currency up to the equivalent of 300,000 CFA francs is permitted. All amounts in excess of this may be exported up to the amount declared upon entry.
Changing money in Côte d’Ivoire
A previous exchange at the house bank is not necessary, because Euro or US-Dollar are exchanged free of charge and without problems at the Ivory Coast. You can exchange money at the airport, hotels and banks in the country.
Usually the banks are open from Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 11:30 and from 15:00 to 16:30. Additionally there is the possibility to exchange money in the banks on Saturdays from 08:00 to 12:00 o’clock. Outside bank opening hours, there are also plenty of ATMs available where money can be withdrawn around the clock in Côte d’Ivoire.
Cashing traveller’s cheques in Côte d’Ivoire
Traveler’s cheques are returned worldwide and are only accepted occasionally in Côte d’Ivoire. If you would like to take traveller’s cheques with you as additional means of payment, they should preferably be made out in euros or US dollars. Hotels, restaurants and some shops accept traveller’s cheques as a means of payment. There are also a few banks in Côte d’Ivoire where you can exchange travellers’ cheques.
In general, one should make sure that one does not limit oneself to only one means of payment, but carries cash as well as at least one credit card in order to be prepared for every payment situation. Traveler’s cheques have the advantage that in case of loss or theft they are replaced immediately and should therefore – despite the difficult acceptance situation – have a place in the travel fund.
Cashless payment in Côte d’Ivoire
Occasionally it is possible to pay by credit card. Visa or Mastercard are the most widely accepted payment methods. If you use your credit card as a means of payment, you should absolutely check the billing regularly, because the abuse rate is extremely high in Côte d’Ivoire. For cashless payments in Côte d’Ivoire, a foreign deployment fee of 1 to 4 % of the amount ordered is often charged. If you do not have sufficient cash in your travel budget, you can also use your credit card to withdraw money from Côte d’Ivoire. As a rule, a foreign assignment fee is also added here. However, there are also banks with whose credit cards money can be withdrawn free of charge. All information about this can be found in the section on credit cards.
Withdraw money from Côte d’Ivoire by EC card
A sufficient number of ATMs are available in Côte d’Ivoire. Whether the EC card with the Maestro or Cirrus symbol is accepted for withdrawing money is indicated by the sign on the ATM. V-Pay cards, on the other hand, cannot be used to withdraw money. Holders of such a card should consider an alternative means of payment before traveling in order to be able to obtain cash during their trip. It is advisable to take a credit card with you, because you can easily withdraw money with it.
If you use your EC card to withdraw money in Côte d’Ivoire, it is worth knowing that your house bank normally charges a fee of between 5 and 10 euros for using the card at a foreign ATM. This fixed amount is charged each time you go to the machine, regardless of the amount withdrawn. For more detailed information, you should contact your bank before travelling. This fee can only be saved by using a free credit card to withdraw money.
Withdrawing money from Côte d’Ivoire by credit card
In Côte d’Ivoire it is possible to withdraw money by credit card. A surcharge of between 1% and 4% of the amount withdrawn is normal with most credit card providers. This is the foreign assignment fee that is added to the withdrawal amount by the credit card company.
If you want to avoid this foreign assignment fee, you should use a so-called travel credit card. Only a few banks offer a free credit card with which you can withdraw worldwide free of charge. Click the button to get an overview of the banks that provide these cards free of charge.
After sending the application, you should expect a processing time of up to two weeks until the new credit card is actually in the mailbox. It is important to plan for this period so that the credit card arrives in time before the start of the trip so that it can be used to withdraw money in Côte d’Ivoire.
Safety when withdrawing money in Côte d’Ivoire
Withdrawing money with a card is possible in Côte d’Ivoire, but should be done with caution. The rate of money card fraud is very high in Côte d’Ivoire, so it is advisable to check your statements regularly. It is also helpful to always enter the secret code hidden at the ATM. If irregularities appear on the statement, the travel fund is lost or even stolen, you should contact the blocking emergency call immediately. The number can be reached via the following link. This number can be reached 24 hours a day and the affected card is blocked directly by the call. This is the only way to prevent possible or further misuse of the credit or debit card.
An important note concerning all prospective credit card users abroad: The bank or issuing institution should always be informed about a stay abroad. Particularly when travelling to countries such as Ivory Coast, where credit card fraud is a frequent problem, it may otherwise be blocked for security reasons as soon as the card is used abroad. By adhering to the above tips, as well as a comprehensive and early travel planning, which does not neglect the payment abroad, you can save a lot of trouble and above all costs during and after the trip and concentrate your entire travel cash and attention on the stay in this very beautiful country.