Practical Information
Visa & entry
Not applicable. Burkina Faso is under do-not-travel advisory. If an unlikely scenario required entry, visas are obtainable on arrival or at embassies. Border closures and checkpoints make entry effectively impossible for tourists.
Money & payments
West African CFA franc (XOF) is the currency. ATMs and banking infrastructure are limited and unreliable outside Ouagadougou. Cash is king; credit cards are rarely accepted.
SIM cards & internet
Mobile networks (Onatel, Zain) operate in controlled areas. Internet is unreliable and heavily monitored in conflict zones. Data bundles are cheap in stable areas but availability is spotty.
Getting around
Travel is not safe. Road ambushes, checkpoints by armed groups, and military operations make overland travel extremely dangerous. Domestic flights on Air Burkina or chartered aircraft are used by humanitarian organizations only.
Health
Yellow fever vaccination required/recommended. Malaria endemic. Medical care is severely compromised. Hospitals are overwhelmed or non-functional in conflict areas. Travel insurance with medical evacuation is essential but may not be honored given the security situation.
Language & etiquette
French is the official language. Cultural values emphasize respect for elders, quiet dignity, and collective harmony. Photography and personal questions should be approached with sensitivity. Religious respect is critical (Islam is 60%+ of the population).
When to go
N/A - travel not possible. For historical reference: dry season (November-March) is coolest; rainy season (June-September) brings brief, intense downpours. March-May is extremely hot (40C+).
Getting there
Ouagadougou's Ouagadougou International (OUA) is the main airport, served by Air Burkina, Royal Air Maroc, Air Algérie, and regional carriers. Mali via Bamako; Niger via Niamey; Côte d'Ivoire via Abidjan (road through savanna); Ghana via Accra; Benin via Cotonou. Overland travel through West Africa is feasible; shared taxis connect regional towns.