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 Grand-Bassam safe? 🇨🇮
Ivory Coast · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Grand-Bassam scores 58/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: mostly — take normal precautions. Grand-Bassam is moderately safe for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution due to persistent security concerns and health risks. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Grand-Bassam 🇨🇮
Ivory Coast · Assessed 29 July 2026
58
/ 100
Mostly — take normal precautions
Safer than ~53% of countries
What drives this score
Crime55/100FairHomicide 11.0 / 100k
Sentiment59/100FairCautious
Advisories72Good
Stability57Fair
Health68Fair
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Fair
Mugging & robbery risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
Moderate risk
70
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
45 / 100 (Cautious)
45
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
97k residents
86
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
11.0 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
43
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWhile specific data for Grand-Bassam is limited, the national homicide rate and general crime index suggest a moderate risk of robbery, particularly in less secure areas.
Pickpocketing
ModerateCrowded tourist areas and markets are potential hotspots for pickpocketing and bag-snatching.
▸ 3 more indicators▾ Hide extra indicators
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Fair
04 · Institutions
Stability
Fair
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Cautious
59/100
Reported feel45Cautious
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Official advisories and past incidents suggest a cautious sentiment among travelers, emphasizing the need for preparedness and awareness.
Grand-Bassam is moderately safe for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution due to persistent security concerns and health risks.
While Grand-Bassam is a popular tourist destination, official advisories and past incidents highlight the need for vigilance. Travelers should be aware of potential crime, health precautions, and the importance of following government guidance.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Ivory Coast paid tribute to 19 victims of the Grand-Bassam jihadist attack.— africanews.com
- Dec 2022Eleven people were sentenced to life in prison for the 2016 Ivory Coast beach attack.— Al Jazeera
- Mar 2016Attacks occurred on Grand Bassam's beaches, a popular tourist area.— DW.com
- Feb 2026The U.S. issued updated travel advisories for Ivory Coast, warning visitors to stay alert.— Business Insider Africa
Common scams
- Bribery during interactions with public officials.
Full briefing
Grand-Bassam, a historic coastal town in Ivory Coast, presents a mixed safety profile for travelers. While it is a popular destination known for its colonial architecture and beaches, official advisories and past security incidents necessitate a high degree of caution. The composite safety index of 57/100 indicates a moderate level of safety, suggesting that travelers should be prepared and vigilant.
Recent news highlights persistent security concerns, particularly the aftermath of the March 2016 jihadist attack on the Grand-Bassam beaches, for which eleven individuals received life sentences in December 2022. This event, along with updated U.S. travel advisories in February 2026 emphasizing the need to stay alert, underscores the importance of heeding official guidance and remaining aware of your surroundings. The Government of Canada also advises exercising a high degree of caution in Ivory Coast.
Travelers should be mindful of health risks, as indicated by CDC alerts for Global Polio, Dengue, and Measles. The country's healthcare infrastructure, with an average of 4 hospital beds per 10,000 people, is also a concern, suggesting that travelers should have comprehensive travel insurance and be prepared for potential medical needs. Furthermore, a significant percentage of residents report experiencing bribery during interactions with public officials, indicating a need for caution and preparedness in such situations.
To ensure a safer trip, travelers are advised to stay informed about current events and heed all government travel advisories. It is crucial to take precautions against common infectious diseases, such as ensuring vaccinations are up-to-date and using insect repellent. Avoid walking alone after dark, especially in less populated areas, and be aware of your surroundings to mitigate the risk of petty crime like pickpocketing. When interacting with local authorities, exercise caution and be prepared for potential requests for bribes.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Grand-Bassam districts for visitors, 5 needing caution. See them plotted on the Grand-Bassam safety map.
Grand-Bassam Historic CentrecautionHistoric sites may attract pickpockets; exercise vigilance.
Ancien VillagecautionTourist-oriented area, be aware of petty theft and potential scams.
DamouscautionResidential area, standard precautions against petty crime apply.
ModestecautionCoastal area, be mindful of surroundings, especially after dark.
AssiniecautionResort area, generally safer but still requires awareness of petty crime.
07 · After Dark
Is Grand-Bassam safe at night?
While specific data for Grand-Bassam is limited, the national homicide rate and general crime index suggest a moderate risk of robbery, particularly in less secure areas.
After dark, be most careful around Grand-Bassam Historic Centre, Ancien Village, Damous, Modeste. 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 Grand-Bassam's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
Solo female travellerCrime +35% weight57
Solo travellerCrime +23% weight57
Family with kidsCrime +19% weight · Health & Air +12% weight59
Nightlife-focused tripCrime +28% weight57
Travellers 65+Crime +13% weight · Health & Air +16% weight · Stability +4% weight59
Business tripCrime +14% weight · Stability +6% weight58
09 · Questions
Grand-Bassam safety FAQ
Is Grand-Bassam safe for tourists right now?
Grand-Bassam is moderately safe for travelers, requiring a high degree of caution due to persistent security concerns and health risks. While Grand-Bassam is a popular tourist destination, official advisories and past incidents highlight the need for vigilance. Travelers should be aware of potential crime, health precautions, and the importance of following government guidance. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Which areas of Grand-Bassam should tourists avoid?
No districts were flagged as no-go areas for visitors at the last assessment.
What are the most common scams in Grand-Bassam?
- Bribery during interactions with public officials.
How does Grand-Bassam compare with other places in Ivory Coast?
Grand-Bassam ranks #2 of 3 Ivory Coast destinations we've assessed, scoring 58/100. See the Ivory Coast safety overview for the full list.
How is this Grand-Bassam 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: grand-bassam.json (CC BY 4.0).