A practical weekend in Abidjan
You should plan your trip during the dry season from November to March for the most comfortable weather.
Planning your visit
You should plan your trip during the dry season from November to March for the most comfortable weather. Avoid visiting during peak rains in April and June. Daily budgets range from $60 to $130, while total costs for a single day can range between $65 and $120. A typical daily budget includes hotels at $30 to $50, meals at $10 to $20, transport at $3 to $5, and market shopping from $20 to $45. You should add 10 to 20 percent to these budget estimates to cover souvenirs or unexpected expenses.
Friday arrival
Depending on your preference for location and luxury, you have two primary lodging options. For mid-range accommodation, stay at Hotel Tiama in Le Plateau. If you prefer upscale lodging, choose the Sofitel Abidjan Hôtel Ivoire in Cocody (Riviera).
Saturday morning
Start your day in Le Plateau at Cathedral Saint-Paul. This building was designed by Italian architect Aldo Spirito and consecrated in 1985. You should arrive before 9am to catch the light through the windows. Entry is free, though it operates on donations of approximately $1. A visit typically takes 2 to 2.5 hours. For lunch, go to Maquis le Bonheur in Plateau for grilled poulet braisé with attiéké and alloco (fried plantains).
Saturday afternoon
To reach Treichville, take the bateau-bus from the Plateau wharf. This trip costs 200 CFA francs and takes 10 minutes. To find the boat, use the yellow-painted wooden dock and ignore the Port autonome entrance on Boulevard de la République. Once you arrive, spend about 3 hours at Marché de Treichville. This market is a good place to find batik, shea butter, kola nuts, and carved masks. Spending for the ferry and market typically costs between $2 and $8.
Saturday night
Head to Rue 12, which is the center of Abidjan nightlife. You can visit Magic City club for live zouglou and coupé-décalé music starting at 10pm. Entry fees for clubs range from 2,000 to 5,000 CFA. You should take a taxi back to your hotel after 1am.
Sources
[S1] https://www.weekend.com/, https://www.weekend.com/ [S2] https://thingstodoinabidjan.com/itineraries/weekend/, https://thingstodoinabidjan.com/itineraries/weekend/ [S3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weeknd, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Weeknd [S4] https://thingstodoinabidjan.com/itineraries/, https://thingstodoinabidjan.com/itineraries/ [S5] https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0WP5P-ufpRfjbNrmOWwLBQ, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0WP5P-ufpRfjbNrmOWwLBQ