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Travel Guide
Visiting Burkina Faso
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Do Not Travel
UK FCDO: The FCDO advises against all travel to Burkina Faso because of the high threat of terrorist attacks and kidnapping, alongside an unstable political and security situation. British nationals already in the country should keep their travel documents up to date and follow local guidance.
Updated 2026-06-20 12:21:53
Discover
Top Attractions in Burkina Faso
The most iconic and unmissable experiences this country has to offer.
UNESCO World Heritage
Ruins of Loropéni
The Ruins of Loropéni are Burkina Faso's only UNESCO World Heritage Site, a set of high laterite stone walls linked to the trans-Saharan gold trade. The fortified settlement dates back at least to the 11th century and is the best preserved of its kind in the region.
Karfiguéla Falls
Also known as the Banfora Cascades, the Karfiguéla Falls tumble over a series of rock terraces fringed by mango trees. They are at their most powerful in the rainy season, when the pools below are a popular spot for a cooling swim.
Sindou Peaks
The Sindou Peaks are a striking chain of narrow sandstone ridges eroded into jagged cones over millennia. A walk through the cool, shaded corridors between them is one of the most memorable experiences in the southwest.
Wise
Your bank marks up every USD you spend in Burkina Faso. Wise doesn't.
- No foreign transaction fees
- Free ATM withdrawals up to your limit
- Pay in local currency at the real rate
4.8 ★ App Store·4.8 ★ Google Play
Airalo eSIM
Your phone plan was built for home. This one was built for Burkina Faso.
- No SIM swapping
- No data roaming charges
- Active in minutes
4.7 ★ App Store·4.6 ★ Google Play
Health & Safety
Health & Emergency Info
Before You Travel
Before you travel check that: your destination can provide the healthcare you may need you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Emergency medical number Call 18 from Ouagadougou and ask for an ambulance. Outside Ouagadougou, call the universal emergency number 112. If you get no response, you will need to get local advice about the closest hospital and how to get to it. Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. Vac
Full health advice (FCDO) →Emergency Numbers
Police17
Ambulance112
Fire18
Health information sourced from UK FCDO. Always consult a travel health professional before departure.
Practical Info
Travel Essentials
Travel Guide
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Burkina Faso
Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Burkina Faso page at Yoogo.
Burkina Faso uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with several other West African nations. Cash is the primary means of payment. ATMs are available in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso but unreliable elsewhere. Cards are accepted at larger hotels in the capital.
Burkina Faso faces a serious security situation. Jihadist insurgencies have affected large parts of the north, east, and Sahel regions, and the government has declared states of emergency in multiple provinces. Most governments advise against all travel to many areas of the country. Check your government's travel advisory closely before any travel and reassess conditions immediately before departure.
Intercity buses connect major cities including Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso reasonably reliably. Taxis and moto-taxis are the main urban transport in cities. Road conditions outside major routes are poor. Internal flights are limited. Check security conditions on any route before travelling.
The coolest and driest period runs from November to February, when temperatures are most bearable and outdoor travel is more comfortable. The hot dry season from March to May can be intense. The wet season from June to October brings heavy rains that can make roads impassable, but it turns the landscape green.
French is the official language of government, education, and business. Mooré, Dioula, and Fulfuldé are widely spoken as local languages alongside French. English is rarely spoken outside international organisations and larger hotels.
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Burkina Faso. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and meningitis vaccinations are commonly recommended, and malaria prophylaxis is strongly advised. Consult a travel health clinic at least four to six weeks before departure.
Tipping is not formally required but is appreciated. In restaurants frequented by visitors, rounding up the bill or leaving a modest gratuity is a welcome gesture. Tour guides and drivers customarily receive tips for good service.
Mobile coverage is reasonable in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, with Telecel, Moov Africa, and Orange all operating networks. Coverage deteriorates significantly in rural and northern areas. Prepaid SIM cards are available in the capital. Wi-Fi is available at larger hotels.