Capital · Burkina Faso
Ouagadougou
Spend 2 days in Ouagadougou to hit the main markets, museums and a Friday Moro Naaba ceremony; longer only if you plan day trips.
Ouagadougou is Burkina Faso’s political and cultural hub. Its compact centre lets you see the Grand Mosque, Cathedral, National Museum and lively markets in a couple of days. Taxis are cheap but un‑metered, so negotiate fares up front. The dry season (Nov–Feb) offers the most comfortable weather.
advisory country
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Feb (dry, cooler)
- avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season)
- Airport
- OUA
- Nights
- 2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…Check your own government travel advice for Burkina Faso …
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- Burkina Faso ↗Check your own government travel advice for Burkina Faso before any booking; advice depends on your passport and changes without notice.
- Burkina Faso ↗Entry is controlled by the national authorities; land borders and some regions may be closed, and no independent tourist route is documented here.
- Burkina Faso ↗Confirm that your travel insurance and medical evacuation cover apply to Burkina Faso before you rely on it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ouagadougou17 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ouagadougou, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cash in CFA francs or euros carries most payments: see Insurance & payments above.Burkina Faso-wide
- SafetyOuagadougou is generally safe for daytime travel, but watch for pickpockets in markets and always negotiate taxi fares up front to avoid overcharging.
- Emergency numbers17 police · 112 Medical (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOUA Ouagadougou International Airport.
- Getting aroundTaxis (green or white) are the main mode; no meters, so agree price before boarding – about CFA 300 – 500 for short city trips…
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OUA Ouagadougou International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Mar
not flagged
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
Apr
not flagged
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
May
not flagged
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Nov
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Dec
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Aug (23 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ouagadougou: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Feb
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Mar
39°C (102°F)102°F (39°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
7 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
20 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
23 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Oct
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Nov
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Dec
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Taxis (green or white) are the main mode; no meters, so agree price before boarding – about CFA 300 – 500 for short city trips, up to CFA 1 500 for airport runs. Walking is easy in the grid‑based centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Musée de Manega
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Car or taxi, about 55 km (34 mi) northwest of the cityCar or taxi, about 34 mi (55 km) northwest of the city
Exhibits musical instruments, Mossi rifles and other cultural items.
Laongo
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Car or taxi, about 30 km (19 mi) east of the cityCar or taxi, about 19 mi (30 km) east of the city
Granite slabs with sculptures from five continents.
Koudougou
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Bus or taxi, about 2 h
Check
Pô
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus or taxi, about 3 h
Check
Léo
cautionDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus or taxi, about 3 h
Check
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Cailcedrat Guesthouse
Budget guesthouse, 10 rooms, free breakfast, €21–37 per night.
Benoua Lodge Hotel
CFA 35 000 per night, air‑con, garden restaurant.
Villa Yiri Suma
CFA 22 160 per night, courtyard, pool, central location.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- XOF 3,500–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- XOF 6,000–9,000 excl. bed
- High
- XOF 10,000+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi fares are negotiated; beware inflated quotes for foreigners.
- Pickpockets are common in Central Market and around bus stops.
- Night‑time travel can be riskier; stick to known taxi firms.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 17
- Medical
- 112
Pocket card
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OuagadougouOuagadougou
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À cette adresse, s’il vous plaîtTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police17
- Medical112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Green taxi city centre: ≈ CFA 300–500 (negotiate)
- Airport to city centre: ≈ CFA 1 500–5 000 (negotiate)
Say or show
- Bonjour / Excusez‑moi — Hello / Excuse me (bɔ̃ʒuʁ / ɛkskyz mwa)
- Combien ? — How much? (kɔ̃bjɛ̃ ?)
- Taxi, s’il vous plaît — Taxi, please (taksi sil vu plɛ)
- Merci — Thank you (mɛʁsi)
- Où est … ? — Where is … ? (u ɛ … ?)
Check taxi rates and safety advice before travel.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ouagadougou. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb (dry, cooler) · avoid Jun–Sep (rainy season)
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Ouagadougou
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