Expatriates Forums in Ivory Coast

shopping in Ivory Coast

BPW — Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:42 am

Author: BPW

Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 9:42 am

Could someone please tell me if there are stores that carry high-end European designer clothing for men or women in the Ivory Coast?

Thanks

NIGHTLIFE IN COTE D'IVOIRE / COTE D'IVOIRE NIGHTLIFE GUIDE

Cote D'Ivoire Info — Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:55 am

Author: Cote D'Ivoire Info

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:55 am

NIGHTLIFE IN COTE D'IVOIRE

There are nightclubs in most major centres. Abidjan is the most lively area with its hotels and lagoon-side tourist resorts. There are also theatres, casinos (Café de Rome and Hotel Ivoire) and bars. Traditional entertainment is offered in some hotels. The cost of drinks at many discos and nightclubs is quite expensive.

Yamoussoukro's nightlife is also impressive with a good range of bars and nightclubs and a lively population to make a night out in this city unforgettable.

Note that the current political situation makes travelling alone after dark somewhat dangerous due to criminals which take advantage of the political tension. Always walk in a group and take a taxi wherever possible.

FOOD & DINING IN COTE D'IVOIRE / COTE D'IVOIRE DINING

Cote D'Ivoire Info — Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:06 am

Author: Cote D'Ivoire Info

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:06 am

FOOD & DINING IN COTE D'IVOIRE

GENERAL

Abidjan and other centres have restaurants serving Caribbean, French, Italian, Lebanese and Vietnamese food. There is a growing number of African restaurants catering for foreigners.The best area for spicy African food is the Treichville district of Abidjan. The blue pages of the Abidjan telephone book have a special restaurant section. There are no restrictions on drinking.

National specialties

• Kedjenou (chicken cooked with different vegetables and sealed in banana leaves).

• N’voufou (mashed bananas or yam mixed with palm oil and served with aubergine sauce).

• Attieké (cassava dish).

National drinks

• Bangui (local palm wine).

PLACES TO DINE

LE 37o2
Rue des banques,
Plateau,
Abidjan
Tel.: (+225) 2032 1663

French cuisine in this discreet brasserie with a dusky, wood-paneled interior.

L'ESPACE331
In front of Ecole Mermoz,
Cocody,
Abidjan
Tel: (+225) 2244 0341

Closed on Monday lunches.
Simple, delicious African specialties in two rooms: on indoors, the other under the eucalyptus trees.

LE SOUKALA
1, Boulevard Giscard D'Estaing (Treichville),
Abidjan
Tel: (+225) 2124 1790

Sophisticated African Cuisine in a lovely Malian setting.

LE TIAMA
Business District,
Abidjan
Tel: (+225) 2021 0822
Fax: (+225) 2031 3131

A reasonable good-quality restaurant in the business district.

SHOPPING IN COTE D'IVOIRE / COTE D'IVOIRE SHOPPING GUIDE

Cote D'Ivoire Info — Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:52 am

Author: Cote D'Ivoire Info

Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 7:52 am

SHOPPING IN COTE D'IVOIRE

In the markets, hard bargaining is often necessary to get prices down to reasonable levels. Special purchases include wax prints, Ghanaian kente cloth, indigo fabric and woven cloth, wooden statuettes and masks, bead necklaces, pottery and basketware.

Shopping hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1200 and 1430-1830, Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900.

Banking hours

Mon-Fri 0930-1300 and 1400-1730.

Currency

CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Côte d’Ivoire is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des États de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Currency exchange

Currency can be exchanged at the airport as well as at main banks and hotels.

Credit & debit cards

American Express and MasterCard are widely accepted; Diners Club and Visa have more limited use. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other facilities which may be available.

Traveller's cheques

These are accepted in hotels, restaurants and some shops.

Currency restrictions

The import of local currency is unlimited. The export of local currency is limited to amounts up to the value of CFAfr10,000. The import of all foreign currency other than Euros must be declared. The export of foreign currency is limited to amounts up to the equivalent of CFAfr25,000 or the amount imported and declared on arrival. There is no restriction on the re-export of unused travelers cheques and letters of credit.