Burkina Faso Travel Guide

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Shopping

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

CFA (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 Exchange

Can be exchanged in banks and major hotels.

Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs

Diners Club and MasterCard have limited acceptance. No ATMs available.

Travelers Checks

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take traveler's checks 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.

Currency Restrictions

There are no restrictions on the import or export of local or foreign currency, provided it's declared upon arrival.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 0730-1130 and 1500-1600, Fri 0730-1130 and 1530-1700.

Exchange Rate