Money and payments
Cards and cash
Credit/debit cards are accepted in an increasing number of supermarkets, restaurants and hotels (Visa mostly).
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Africa · Western AfricaUsable guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Globe-trotter, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Sierra Leone is on the West Coast of Africa. The potential for tourism is vast, but largely unrealised, despite the end of the Civil War in 2002, and tour operators are looking closely at what the country has to offer. Sierra Leone is rich in natural resources. It has some of the best beaches in the world, a rich heritage, and some stunning scenery, but its greatest asset is its welcoming, friendly populace.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Sierra Leone.
Cards and cash
Credit/debit cards are accepted in an increasing number of supermarkets, restaurants and hotels (Visa mostly).
English
English is the official language, but Krio is the lingua franca: a creole with vocabulary derived from English, Yoruba, Igbo, and to a lesser extent Portuguese and French.
The mobile phone networks use GSM/3G/4G technology (as in Europe) and use is widespread.
Mobile networks
Drink only bottled water and be aware of what you eat and how well cooked it is.
Water-borne diseases, malaria and other tropical diseases are prevalent. You should consider taking medication to protect against malaria and using insect repellent.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
capital city in the western part of the country
second largest city and capital of the southern region
An old administrative town on Sherbro Island, now quiet and charmingly decayed
Major town in the eastern part of the country
Another town in the east, capital of the diamond mining Kono district
Fast developing town in the north
Former capital of the northern region and end of the defunct railway branch line
prime tourist spot in Sierra Leone with the idyllic environment of pristine tropical islands
at the Liberian border, protecting Sierra Leone's largest tract of rainforest
highest peak between Morocco and Cameroon
river island and wildlife sanctuary
Places in Sierra Leone on the World Heritage List.
Gola National Park
Listed 2025
Gola-Tiwai complex
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Sierra Leone.
By boat
The Sea Coach Express boathouse under the bridge between Aberdeen and Murray Town in Freetown is happy to charter one of the many boats in their fleet to take you up and down the coast and up the…
By motorbike
Moto-taxi is a very efficient way of getting around, with low prices, decent mobility on bad roads, and the ability to skirt past traffic. But they are dangerous.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Sierra Leone.
Finding apps for Sierra Leone…
Other ways to travel:By poda-poda
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Freetown (Lungi-Town) · International · FNA
Loading places around the airport…
Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Freetown
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 29° | 30° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 28° | 27° | 27° | 27° | 28° | 29° | 29° |
| Avg. low | 22° | 23° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 23° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 1 | 2 | 2 | 25 | 135 | 399 | 644 | 699 | 400 | 187 | 71 | 4 |
| Humidity | 76% | 78% | 76% | 76% | 81% | 87% | 89% | 90% | 90% | 89% | 85% | 78% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$100
Per person, per day
Luxury
$260
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $55 | $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 2 of 4Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased cautionin Sierra Leone due to crime, unrest, and inadequate health infrastructure. Crime Violent crimes, such as robbery and assault, occur frequently in Sierra Leone, especially in Freetown. Police struggle to respond to serious crime in most places due to limited resources. Do not travel outside the Freetown peninsula after nightfall. There are increased safety hazards and security concerns at night. U.S. government employees in Sierra Leone are prohibited from travel outside the capital after dark. The U.S. Embassy in Freetown cannot offer emergency services outside Freetown at night. Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime. Unrest Demonstrations and protests occur in Sierra Leone and occasionally result in violence. Protests can happen with little to no warning. They often develop around political issues, large events, or holidays. Health Sierra Leone’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health facilities, services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe. Make sure you have medical or travel insurance that includes medical evacuation. Be sure to bring enough prescription medications to last the entire duration of your trip. Review our information on Travel Insurance.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
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, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Sierra Leone.
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