Abidjan, the capital city of Ivory Coast, is visited by thousands of travelers per year from around the world. Once known as the `Paris of West Africa`, Abidjan provides travelers a true introduction to this African nation. Some of the most popular hot spots in the city include:

Saint Paul`s Cathedral:Second largest church building in Africa, the Saint Paul`s Church is designed by Aldo Spirito, a renowned Italian architect. The church is spread over 4500m square of area and can seat over 3500 people at a time.

Hotel Ivoire:A great example of civil instability in the country, Hotel Ivoire was once a great emblem of modernity and innovation in Abidjan. The hotel was once a great recreational area that included more than 10 tennis courts, restaurants, sauna, swimming pools, night clubs, a casino, grocery store and curio stalls.

Parc du Banco: Travelers to Abidjan can catch a glimpse of the rainforests in the country at the Parc du Banco. The park, located at the northwestern edge of Abidjan, is home to many walking paths, trails, lake and superb rainforest trees.

From luxury hotels and apartments to budget inns and guest houses, Abidjan is home to varied accommodation options that suits the liking and budget of all travelers.

Luxury Hotels:Be it regular business visitors or first time travelers to the city, luxury hotels in Abidjan can charm even the most discerning of travelers. Those who are ready to splurge on the luxuries of life would love their stay at any of the city`s luxury hotels that include Pullman Abidjan, Sofitel Abidjan, Ibis Abidjan Marcory, Ibis Abidjan Plateau, Novotel Abidjan, Hotel Tiama, Golf Hotel Inter-Continental, African Queen Lodge, Residences Hotel Dipokka and Hotel Ivoire Intercontinental.

Budget Hotels:Budget accommodation in Abidjan with all modern facilities and amenities can be found all over the city. Budget conscious travelers can choose from several inexpensive lodging options in the city, such as Villa Anakao, Residence Hotel Georges Colette, New Coco Beach, Manhattan Suites, Residence Hoteliere Ivotel, Residence Orphelia, La Cote Du Repos and La Licorne & Le Griffon.

A passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure is required by all nationals intending to visit Abidjan, Ivory Coast. All visitors also require an onward journey ticket and proof of accommodation in the country.

US residents do not require a visa to enter Ivory Coast for stays of up to 90 days. Nationals of all other countries, including UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand require a valid passport to gain entry into the country.

Owing to a cooler and pleasant climate, November to March is the best time to visit Abidjan. Two of the city`s most popular festivals- the Fete du Dipri in Gomon and the Fetes des Masques near Man - take places during this period.

Abidjan enjoys a tropical climate with high temperatures and humidity all through the year. May through July is the long rainy season whereas September to November is the short rainy season in the city. The temperature remains almost constant at about 27 degree Celsius from January to June. At about 2,000 mm per year, it rains quite abundantly in Abidjan.

Currency:The unit of currency used in Abidjan, Ivory Coast is the CFA Franc, which is linked to the Euro. There are not many ATMs in Abidjan but most will accept Visa cards. Larger hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards but smaller shops require cash. Most banks and many hotels accept traveler`s checks.

Language:French is the official language in Abidjan. The pronunciation of French language in the city is quite different from traditional French. Nouchi, popular slang amongst youth, is another version of French used in Abidjan. Languages like Baule and Ebrie are spoken by natives in about 30 villages surrounding Abidjan.