Good
markets exist in Bobo Dioulasso, Dori, Gorom-Gorom, Ouahigouya and Ouagadougou. Bargaining in the traditional marketplace is recommended. Purchases include
wooden statuettes, bronze models, masks, worked skins from the
tannery in Ouagadougou, jewelry, fabrics, hand-woven blankets and leather goods and crafts ranging from chess sets to ashtrays. The
Grande Marché in Bobo Dioulasso is much smaller and less cramped market.
Shopping hours Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1800. Some shops may be open Sunday and there are daily markets in the
main towns.
Currency Information:CurrencyCFA (
Communauté Financière Africaine) Franc (XOF) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,500, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1.
Burkina Faso is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the
Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the
Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Currency ExchangeCan be exchanged in banks and major hotels.
Credit/Debit Cards and ATMsDiners Club and MasterCard have limited acceptance. No ATMs available.
Traveller's ChequesTo avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Euros or US Dollars. Banks often require proof of purchase, so all receipts should be kept as a precautionary measure. It is advised to take at least some Euros in cash.
Banking HoursMon-Thurs 0730-1130 and 1500-1600, Fri 0730-1130 and 1530-1700.
Exchange Rate Indicators| Date | Apr 07 |
| £1.00= | XOF969.92 |
| $1.00= | XOF491.10 |
| €1.00= | XOF655.96 |
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