Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso greets travellers with warm smiles, red-earth landscapes and a slower rhythm that quickly pulls you into West African daily life. Most visitors arrive in Ouagadougou, the capital, where motos weave through traffic, music spills from maquis (casual eateries), and open-air markets set the tone for your journey.

Before you go, check the latest security and health advisories from your government and plan your route carefully; some regions can be unstable and are best avoided. Book trusted accommodation in advance and arrange airport pick-up through your hotel or a reputable driver, especially if you land after dark.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry, and you will likely need a visa, which is often easiest to get before you travel. Carry copies (digital and paper) of your passport, visa and insurance, and store the originals securely.

Using the Hello app’s trip planning tools is an easy way to keep your flights, bookings and day-to-day ideas in one place. Save key addresses in French (e.g. your hotel and embassy/consulate), so you can show them quickly to taxi drivers. With preparation and realistic expectations around comfort and infrastructure, Burkina Faso can be an incredibly rewarding, eye-opening destination.

Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso are the main hubs you’ll move through. In cities, you’ll use:

• Taxis: Shared or private. Always agree the fare before you get in; short trips in Ouaga often fall between CFA 500–1,500 (about US$1–3).
• Moto-taxis and moto rental: Common but best for confident riders with good travel insurance and protective gear.
• Buses and minibuses (cars rapides): Cheap for intercity routes but basic and often slow.

Road conditions vary from paved highways to rough laterite tracks. Travel only in daylight, avoid isolated roads, and check local advice before overland trips. Many international embassies currently advise against travel to certain regions due to security concerns, so keep your plans flexible.

Connectivity can be patchy outside major towns, so download offline maps and key translations in the Hello app before you go. Activating a Hello eSIM ahead of arrival means you can get data the moment you land, use ride-hailing where available, message your guesthouse, and stay reachable without worrying about roaming charges.

Keep emergency numbers and your accommodation’s contact details saved in the app, and share your live location with trusted companions when moving around less familiar neighbourhoods.

Burkina Faso’s charm reveals itself in the small, everyday moments: sipping strong, sweet tea in the shade, drifting through craft stalls, or sharing a plate of grilled meat at a busy maquis. Food is hearty and filling, built around millet, sorghum, rice and corn.

Look out for:

• Riz gras – rice cooked in a rich tomato and vegetable sauce, often with chicken or fish.
• Poulet braisé – marinated, charcoal-grilled chicken, usually served with attiéké (cassava couscous) or fries.
• To – a stiff millet or maize paste eaten with okra or peanut sauce; rustic, but very local.

Street stalls and markets like Ouagadougou’s central market or Bobo’s old quarter are fantastic for fruit, snacks and crafts. Eat where there is good turnover and hot, freshly cooked food. Expect simple settings: plastic chairs, open fronts, sometimes no menu at all—just ask what’s available that day.

Cash is still king, so you’ll want plenty of CFA francs for food and small purchases. Use the Hello app’s expense splitting feature when sharing big meals or market hauls with friends, and jot down what you spend on snacks and drinks to keep an eye on your budget in local currency.

Burkina Faso uses the West African CFA franc (XOF). ATMs are available in major cities like Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, but can be unreliable, so do not rely on a single card or machine. Carry a mix of payment options and keep emergency cash hidden in a separate spot.

Daily costs vary by travel style, but as a rough guide:

• Budget guesthouses: CFA 10,000–25,000 per night (around US$17–42)
• Simple meals at maquis: CFA 1,500–4,000 (about US$2.50–7)
• Intercity buses: CFA 5,000–15,000 depending on distance (around US$8–25)

Many places do not accept cards, and there may be no change for large notes, so keep smaller bills ready for taxis, food and market purchases. The Hello app’s budget tracking is handy for logging cash expenses in CFA, spotting when transport or accommodation is creeping up, and comparing planned vs actual spend.

Tipping is appreciated but not strictly formalised; rounding up the bill or adding around 5–10% in restaurants with table service is a good guideline. When travelling with others, use Hello’s expense splitting to divide taxi fares, hotel bills, and tours so that one person isn’t constantly fronting the cash.

Finally, pack patience. Power cuts, cash shortages, and schedule changes happen. Keeping your plans in the Hello app and building in buffer time will make the inevitable hiccups much easier to handle.