Money and payments
Cards and cash
There are limited ways to use credit/debit cards.
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Africa · Western AfricaUsable guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: David Stanley, CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Liberia, in West Africa, is a wonderful place to immerse yourself in the local culture. Liberia has a thriving music scene, known as hip co, which blends hip hop with colloquial Liberian English. Artists like Takun J, Santos, Mr. Smith, Soul Smiter, and Nasseman are popular. In the dry season, especially, concerts are regularly held at venues across the country.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Liberia.
Cards and cash
There are limited ways to use credit/debit cards.
English
Liberia is a multilingual country where more than thirty languages are spoken. The official language is English, with Kreyol - an English-based pidgin language - serving as the lingua franca in Liberia's interior.
You will need to purchase a GSM SIM card (US$1) and prepaid recharge cards (most commonly in denominations of US$1 and US$5), called "Scratch Card" locally.
Mobile networks
Stick with bottled water to be sure.
HIV, while still low, is on the increase. Prostitution is rampant.
It is customary to always greet people wherever you go. Liberians don't take kindly to being ignored and will call you "rude".
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital, and Liberia's largest city with a population of around one million
a coastal town with excellent surfing opportunities, a comfortable holiday lodge and a beachside campsite
in the southeast of the country, Harper is known for its beautiful beaches and beach houses. Now these houses are dilapidated but it's still possible to get a sense of the glory of the past.
Liberia's sole national park.
A mangrove island colonised by abandoned research lab chimpanzees
The area between the St Paul River and the borders with Guinea and Sierra Leone
The capital Monrovia and the main population centre
Beautiful Atlantic beaches and the country's only national park
Public transport and paid services in Liberia.
By train
There is no real train service. One track, which had belonged to a mine, has been opened for tourists. It travels to the Bong mines, a massive, defunct ore-mining and processing plant once German-run.
By bus
There are no long distance buses for tourists.
By boat
You can board a boat from the St. Paul River to Robertport other destinations will be made available soon.
By car
The roads linking Roberts Airport to Monrovia and from Monrovia to the Sierra Leone border at Bo (Waterside) are paved and in excellent condition as of February 2010.
By taxi
The best way to get around Monrovia. Most Monrovia taxis on the streets will pick up several passengers en route, and are therefore often jam-packed.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Liberia.
Finding apps for Liberia…
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Monrovia · International · ROB
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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 Monrovia
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 31° | 31° | 31° | 31° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 29° | 30° |
| Avg. low | 23° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 23° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 23° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 11 | 23 | 44 | 59 | 109 | 226 | 257 | 399 | 265 | 210 | 79 | 37 |
| Humidity | 74% | 78% | 80% | 80% | 82% | 84% | 85% | 86% | 88% | 87% | 85% | 79% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$25
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$55
Per person, per day
Luxury
$140
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $10 | $30 | $85 |
| Food and drink | $5 | $10 | $20 |
| Local transport | $5 | $5 | $10 |
| Activities | $5 | $10 | $25 |
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 cautionCrime Violent crime, such as armed robbery are common in urban areas, crowded markets, and public beaches. Local police lack the resources to respond effectively to serious crimes. If traveling outside the capital city of Monrovia, try to finish your trip during daylight hours. It’s safer to avoid travel at night due to safety and security concerns. Unrest Demonstrations occur regularly. They have on occasion resulted in violence or use of tear gas by authorities. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services Health The health infrastructure in Liberia is inadequate. Health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications may be unsafe. Medical services for routine and emergency procedures are limited. Health facilities are available in major cities. It may be harder to find adequate health care in rural areas. Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies. Review the Health section of the Travel Guidance on this page for more information. U.S. government employee travel restrictions U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling outside the capital or between counties after dark due to the safety and security risk. The only exception is travel to and from Roberts International Airport. U.S. citizens in Liberia are advised to take the same precautions.
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 Liberia.
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