Visas. Most non-African visitors need a visa. Burkina Faso operates an e-visa system at visaburkina.bf — apply before you travel. ECOWAS citizens (including those from Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal) can enter without a visa. Processing takes a few days and costs vary by nationality; expect to pay around 50,000-95,000 CFA francs. Visa on arrival is technically possible at the airport but not always reliable.
Money. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), issued by the BCEAO and pegged to the euro at a fixed rate of 655.957 CFA to 1 euro. ATMs are available in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso — Ecobank and Coris Bank machines accept international Visa cards most reliably. Outside the two main cities, ATMs are scarce and unreliable. Carry enough cash in CFA for the duration of any trip into rural areas. Euros are the easiest foreign currency to exchange. Credit cards are accepted at some upscale hotels in Ouagadougou but almost nowhere else.
Language. French is the working language of government and education, but most Burkinabe speak indigenous languages at home. Moore (the language of the Mossi people) is the most widely spoken and will get you further than French in much of the center and north. Dioula is the lingua franca of the west, including Bobo-Dioulasso and Banfora. A few words in Moore or Dioula — even just greetings — go a long way. English is not widely spoken.
Safety. This requires honesty. Since the military coup of 2022, Burkina Faso has been under a military-led transitional government. Jihadist groups linked to al-Qaeda and Islamic State operate across the north, east, and increasingly central parts of the country. Most Western governments advise against all travel to Burkina Faso. The southwest — the corridor from Ouagadougou through Bobo-Dioulasso to Banfora — has been relatively calmer, but the situation changes rapidly. If you do travel here, check advisories from multiple governments immediately before departure, register with your embassy, and stay informed through local contacts. Travel after dark outside cities is inadvisable.
Health. Burkina Faso is a malaria zone — take prophylaxis and use mosquito nets and repellent. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Routine vaccinations should be up to date, and hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations are recommended. Medical facilities are basic outside Ouagadougou. Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is essential.
Tipping. Not expected in most situations, but rounding up at restaurants and tipping guides is appreciated. At maquis and street stalls, tipping is unusual.
Electricity. 220V, 50Hz. Plug types are European two-pin (Type C and Type E). Power cuts are common — a headlamp and a portable charger are worth packing.
Internet and phones. Mobile coverage is good in cities and along main highways. Orange and Moov are the main operators. Buy a local SIM at the airport or in town for cheap data. WiFi is available at hotels in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso but often slow.