Exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories)
“Canada's official risk level for Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast): exercise a high degree of caution (with regional advisories).”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →Is Abidjan safe? 🇨🇮
Ivory Coast · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Abidjan scores 56/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Abidjan requires a high degree of caution due to significant risks of petty crime, potential for violent crime, and infrastructure challenges. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Abidjan 🇨🇮
Ivory Coast · Assessed 29 July 2026
56
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~50% of countries
What drives this score
Crime52/100CautionHomicide 11.0 / 100k
Sentiment56/100FairLow
Advisories72Good
Stability57Fair
Health68Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Caution
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
36 / 100 (Low)
36
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
6.3M residents
58
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
11.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
43
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWorry about being mugged or robbed is high, with violent crime seen as a significant local problem.
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is a problem in crowded places such as bus stations and markets.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Low
56/100
Reported feel36Low
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Locals report a low feeling of safety when walking alone at night (28/100), and a moderate level of concern about mugging and robbery (62/100).
Abidjan requires a high degree of caution due to significant risks of petty crime, potential for violent crime, and infrastructure challenges.
While Abidjan has a moderate composite safety index, travelers should be aware of prevalent petty crime, particularly in crowded areas, and a general concern about mugging and robbery. Road safety is also a concern, and visitors should exercise caution, especially at night.
Recent developments
- Oct 2025Tensions mounted as Alassane Ouattara sought a fourth term in the presidential election, leading to protests and arrests.— The Guardian
- Oct 2025Ivory Coast opposition slammed a protest ban ahead of a controversial presidential poll, with Amnesty International calling for the release of 'unjustly arrested' election protesters.— France 24 / africanews.com
- Feb 2026The U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire issued a travel advisory, warning visitors to stay alert and tagging the country as a travel risk zone.— U.S. Embassy in Côte d’Ivoire / Business Insider Africa
Common scams
- Bribes at military checkpoints
- Carjacking when stopped at red lights late at night
Full briefing
Abidjan presents a mixed safety profile, requiring travelers to exercise a high degree of caution. While the city is not under active disaster alerts and has moderate air quality, significant concerns remain regarding crime, road safety, and general public order. The composite safety index is moderate, but this masks specific risks that directly impact visitors.
The risk of petty crime, such as pickpocketing, is moderate and concentrated in crowded areas like bus stations and markets. More concerning is the risk of robbery and mugging, which is also rated as moderate, with a high level of local concern reported. Travelers should be particularly aware of their surroundings, especially after dark, as the feeling of safety walking alone at night is low. The dossier highlights specific risks like carjacking when stopped at red lights late at night and the prevalence of bribes at military checkpoints.
Recent events in late 2025 and early 2026 indicate a period of political tension, with protests and arrests related to the presidential election, prompting travel advisories from the U.S. Embassy. While these events may not directly target tourists, they contribute to an environment where vigilance is crucial. Furthermore, the Wikivoyage background suggests that certain neighborhoods like Koumassi, Treichville, and Yopougon may be best avoided unless accompanied by a local, due to potential issues with drunken individuals. Women are specifically advised not to go out unaccompanied at night.
To mitigate risks, travelers should adhere to official advisories and exercise a high degree of caution. This includes being prepared for potential bribes at checkpoints, carrying small denominations of currency, and avoiding risky behaviors like running red lights at night. It is also advisable to be aware of the unofficial curfew that can shut down movement between midnight and 5 AM. Maintaining awareness of your belongings in crowded areas and avoiding solo nighttime excursions, especially for women, are essential safety practices in Abidjan.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 7 Abidjan districts for visitors: 2 safer, 5 needing caution. See them plotted on the Abidjan safety map.
Abidjan Port AreacautionIndustrial and port zone, can have higher crime rates; exercise caution, especially at night.
TreichvillecautionKnown for its vibrant nightlife and markets, but can experience petty crime; stay alert, especially after dark.
YopougoncautionA large, densely populated commune; while vibrant, it can have issues with petty crime and occasional disturbances.
KoumassicautionA busy commercial and residential area; be aware of your surroundings due to potential for petty theft.
Grand-Bassam (coastal town near Abidjan)cautionWhile a popular tourist spot, it's subject to the same risks as Abidjan; be aware of surroundings and avoid isolated areas at night.
PlateausaferThe central business district, generally well-policed and frequented by business travelers.
CocodysaferAn affluent residential area with many embassies and international organizations, considered safe.
07 · After Dark
Is Abidjan safe at night?
Worry about being mugged or robbed is high, with violent crime seen as a significant local problem.
After dark, be most careful around Abidjan Port Area, Treichville, Yopougon, Koumassi. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Score by traveller type
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Abidjan's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight55
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight55
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight57
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight55
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight57
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight56
09 · Questions
Abidjan safety FAQ
Is Abidjan safe for tourists right now?
Abidjan requires a high degree of caution due to significant risks of petty crime, potential for violent crime, and infrastructure challenges. While Abidjan has a moderate composite safety index, travelers should be aware of prevalent petty crime, particularly in crowded areas, and a general concern about mugging and robbery. Road safety is also a concern, and visitors should exercise caution, especially at night. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Abidjan should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Abidjan?
- Bribes at military checkpoints
- Carjacking when stopped at red lights late at night
How does Abidjan compare with other places in Ivory Coast?
Abidjan ranks #3 of 3 Ivory Coast destinations we've assessed, scoring 56/100. See the Ivory Coast safety overview for the full list.
How is this Abidjan safety score calculated?
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
More Ivory Coast reports
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4 reportsBrowse the Ivory Coast safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: abidjan.json (CC BY 4.0).