Money and payments
Cards and cash
Make sure you have a PIN for your credit card in order to access money from the bank machines.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Baliola, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. Burkina Faso is one of the friendliest countries in all of Africa. Until unrest began in the late 2010s that made travel to the country unsafe, it received only a few tourists per year, and was an excellent destination for anyone interested in seeing a beautiful West African country and exploring African culture and music. It offers a diverse traditional culture, history, tribal art and a variety of landscapes.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Burkina Faso.
Cards and cash
Make sure you have a PIN for your credit card in order to access money from the bank machines.
French
The official languages of Burkina Faso are Mooré, Bissa, Dyula and Fula, of which Mooré has the most speakers (about 48% of the population).
The water is not safe to drink, especially outside the big cities where untreated well water is often the norm.
Yellow fever vaccination is required in order to enter the country.
Burkina Faso shares a lot in common with surrounding countries in West Africa.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
also known as Ouaga (pronounced "wa-ga"), is the capital city. It has several museums, and a major annual film festival
home to the famous Banfora Cascades
the nation's second largest city is a major center of culture and music
hosts a biennial festival of masks
hardly a pleasant town, Gaoua is near the Ruins of Loropéni, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
home of the Royal Palace of Issouka, an example of earthen architecture
the entry point to Burkina from Mali
home of the Botanical Garden Bantia, and gateway to the national parks of the southeast
Places in Burkina Faso on the World Heritage List.
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex
Listed 1996
Ruins of Loropéni
Listed 2009
Royal Court of Tiébélé
Listed 2024
Ancient ferrous metallurgy sites of Burkina Faso
Listed 2019
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
The country's population center, home to the mostly Christian Mossi and the national capital.
The lushest and most culturally diverse section of the country.
Arid, mostly Muslim, and home to the country's most visited National Parks.
Dominated by the Sahel, home to the Fulani and Tuareg populations of the country.
Public transport and paid services in Burkina Faso.
By car
Even wealthy Burkinabé who own cars do not use them to travel between major cities, but opt for buses instead.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Burkina Faso.
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Ouagadougou · International · OUA
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Ouagadougou
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 32° | 36° | 39° | 40° | 38° | 35° | 32° | 31° | 31° | 34° | 34° | 32° |
| Avg. low | 14° | 18° | 22° | 25° | 26° | 24° | 23° | 22° | 22° | 21° | 17° | 14° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 1 | 1 | 3 | 26 | 63 | 107 | 178 | 245 | 147 | 45 | 1 | 0 |
| Humidity | 24% | 20% | 21% | 36% | 50% | 61% | 73% | 80% | 79% | 68% | 45% | 33% |
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Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$105
Per person, per day
Luxury
$260
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $60 | $155 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $20 | $45 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $40 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 4 of 4Do not travel
Do not travelto Burkina Faso for any reason due to crime, kidnapping, terrorism, and health. Do not travel to Burkina Faso for any reason. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees working in Burkina Faso are not allowed to travel outside of Ouagadougou due to safety risks. Personnel are discouraged from nighttime travel to the Balkiui and Rayongo (also known as Dayongo) neighborhoods of Ouagadougou’s Arrondissement 11. Americans in Burkina Faso are strongly advised to take the same precautions. Crime State of Emergency Violent crime is common throughout Burkina Faso. Crimes include kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, home invasion, and carjacking especially during local holidays and seasonal events. Roadblocks, including those set up by armed groups, occur throughout the country. In urban areas, police checkpoints may also be present, particularly at night. In addition, highways across the country are frequently the scene of attacks on government, civilian, and commercial targets. Local authorities may not recognize travelers with dual nationality. Your U.S. nationality may not be recognized if you are also a national of Burkina Faso. Review our information on Dual Nationality. The Government of Burkina Faso has declared a state of emergency in the following territories: The entire Sahel and East regions The provinces of Kossi and Sourou (Boucle de Mouhoun region) The province of Kenedougou (Hauts Bassins region) The province of Loroum (North region) The province of Koulpelogo (Center-East region) Kidnapping The threat of kidnapping of…
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Advises against all travel to the whole country
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against travel FCDO advises against all travel to Burkina Faso. This is due to the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap, and the unstable political situation in the country. Find out more about why FCDO advises against travel. Limited consular support There is no British Embassy in Burkina Faso and all consular support is provided from the British Embassy in Accra, Ghana. They cannot provide in-person assistance. If there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it could be difficult to leave safely. Do not rely on the British government to evacuate you as they may not be able to do so. Have your own plans on how you would leave the country, make sure you keep all travel documentation up to date and monitor the local situation. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel despite FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make…
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Burkina Faso.
Nature & adventureAs of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary.
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Culture & historyThe European theatre of World War II (see World War II in Europe) included a major campaign in North Africa and there was also fighting in several other parts of the continent.
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Culture & historyAs the origin of humankind, Africa has been the home of many nations and kingdoms. While ancient North African civilizations such as ancient Egypt and Carthage are famous in Europe and elsewhere, most pre-colonial…
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Culture & historyThe architecture of a place is often a tourist attraction in its own right. Many buildings are quite beautiful to look at and the view from a tall building or from a cleverly-positioned window can be a beauty to behold.
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Culture & historyWhether they're unusually short, unusually long, sound like a naughty English word, or are just plain silly, places with unusual names can be fun destinations.
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