Hidden Gems in Abidjan That Even Locals Don't Know About (Probably)
okay, so abidjan. it's…sticky. like, permanently humid. right now it feels like someone's breathing warm soup on you, and honestly, i'm not even mad. it's better than the dry heat of accra, which is just a quick hop on a plane. i'm a vintage clothes picker, right? so i'm always hunting for the weird, the forgotten, the stuff that tells a story. and abidjan? it screams stories.
let's be real, most tourists stick to the fancy hotels in plateau and maybe hit up grand-bassam for a day trip. which is fine, i guess, if you like…polished things. but the good stuff? it's tucked away. i'm talking about places where you're more likely to be offered a chair and a glass of bissap than a price list in english.
first off, forget the tourist traps. seriously. instead, head to *Marché de Koumassi. it's…intense. a total sensory overload. you'll find everything from knock-off designer clothes (my bread and butter, obviously) to weird medicinal herbs and enough fabric to clothe a small nation. don't go expecting a curated vintage store experience. it's chaos. glorious, beautiful chaos. i scored a 70s silk scarf there for like, five bucks. five! you can find more info on local markets here: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g308503-Activities-Abidjan.html.
now, about safety. people always ask. look, abidjan has a reputation, okay? it's not a walk in the park. petty theft is a thing. but honestly, i've felt safer walking around some neighborhoods here than i have in certain parts of brooklyn. just be smart. don't flash your cash, keep your phone hidden, and learn a few basic phrases in french. it goes a long way. i overheard someone at a bar saying, "si tu ne parles pas français, tu es perdu" - if you don't speak french, you're lost. and they weren't kidding.
there's this little spot in Yopougon, called 'Le Refuge des Artistes'. it's not on any maps, really. you kinda just have to ask around. it's a collective of local artists, mostly painters and sculptors, who use recycled materials. it's raw, it's real, and the art is incredible. i picked up a sculpture made from old car parts for, again, ridiculously cheap. the guy who made it told me he used to be a mechanic. it's that kind of place.
okay, let's talk money. abidjan isn't cheap, but it's not breaking-the-bank expensive either. rent for a decent apartment in a safe neighborhood (like cocody) will run you around 50,000-100,000 cfa a month (that's roughly $80-$160 usd). food is cheap if you eat local - think street food and markets. a plate of attiéké (cassava couscous) will set you back maybe 500 cfa ($0.80). beer is…affordable. let's just leave it at that. you can get a feel for the cost of living on this reddit thread: https://www.reddit.com/r/Abidjan/.
and finally, this is a bit of drunk advice, but i stand by it: avoid the 'maquis' (local bars) near the port at night. i heard a rumor from a taxi driver that they're…let's just say, not the friendliest places for tourists. he said, "attention, jeune homme, là-bas, c'est dangereux" - be careful, young man, it's dangerous there. i didn't push it.
there's also a really cool, almost secret, beach called Plage des Almadies*. it's a bit of a drive, but worth it. it's not the pristine white sand you'd find in the caribbean, but it's got a vibe. and the seafood is amazing. check out reviews on yelp: https://www.yelp.com/search?find_desc=Beaches&find_loc=Abidjan.
seriously, abidjan is a city that rewards exploration. get lost, talk to people, eat the street food, and don't be afraid to embrace the chaos. you might just find something amazing. and if you find a killer vintage shop, send me the address.
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