Major city · Liberia
Buchanan
Half a day from Monrovia: see the beach and old port, then return. Not worth a night unless you have a specific reason.
Buchanan is Liberia's second-largest city and a former iron-ore port, about 2 hours' drive from Monrovia on a sealed road. The town has a grid-pattern centre, a rough beach 5 km south, and little else for visitors. Most travellers pass through on the way to Harper or Sapo National Park, or make a half-day stop from Monrovia.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Nov–Apr (dry season)
- avoid May–Oct (heavy rain, roads may be poor)
- Airport
- UCN
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- 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.
- Liberia ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Liberian government sources; many nationalities need a visa before travel.
- Liberia ↗Check the yellow-fever vaccination certificate rules for Liberia before you fly.
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 Buchanan911 ▾
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 Buchanan, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Liberia uses both the Liberian dollar (LRD) and the US dollar; many prices are in US dollars.Liberia-wide
- SIM or eSIMOrange and Lonestar Cell MTN sell SIMs with passport registration.Liberia-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Liberia-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 10% if not included.Liberia-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Liberia-wide
- SafetyBuchanan is generally safe during the day, but landmines exist off paved paths.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; basic elsewhere.Liberia-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 fire and ambulance
- Sundays & holidaysSunday is church day; offices close on many public holidays.Liberia-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckUCN Buchanan Airport (Small airport with unpaved runway; no scheduled flights (check)).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre; shared taxis or motorbikes for the beach (5 km (3.1 mi) south).Walkable centre; shared taxis or motorbikes for the beach (3.1 mi (5 km) south).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerBottle of beerUS$1–2
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Shared taxi Monrovia–Buchanan, one waycheckUS$8–12
- Budget bedBudget lodge (single room), a night, per roomUS$15
- Mid-range bedBudget lodge (single room), a night, per roomUS$25
- High-end bedBudget lodge (single room), a night, per roomUS$40
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$25 · Mid US$50 · High US$100
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
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
- UCN Buchanan Airport (Small airport with unpaved runway; no scheduled flights (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Best: Nov–Apr. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jun (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Buchanan: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
12 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
18 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
19 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
19 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Dec
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 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
Walkable centre; shared taxis or motorbikes for the beach (5 km south).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 2 h
Shared taxi or private car, about 2 h on sealed road
Return same day; leave Buchanan by mid-afternoon.
Harper
cautionDoor to door: About 6–8 h
Private 4x4 via Greenville, about 6–8 h (dry season only)
Long drive; overnight in Greenville or Harper.
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.
Main thoroughfare (Buchanan)
Cheaper lodges along the main road; Teepro Lodge near the Buchanan Recyclables office has inconsistent pricing (check).
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
- US$25–40 excl. bed
- Mid
- US$40–70 excl. bed
- High
- US$70+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget lodge (single room)1 × 1 night × US$15 | US$15 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × US$25 | US$25 |
| Shared taxi Monrovia–Buchanan, one way1 × US$10 · check | US$10 |
| Private car Monrovia–Buchanan, one way1 × US$60 · check | US$60 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$11 |
| Trip total≈ US$121 per person per day, bed included | US$121 |
check
2026 estimate in US dollars; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Shared taxi Monrovia–Buchanan, one waycheck | US$8–12 |
| Private car Monrovia–Buchanan, one waycheck | US$50–80 |
| Local meal (rice and sauce) | US$3–6 |
| Bottle of beer | US$1–2 |
| Lodge room, budgetcheck | US$15–40 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Landmines off paved paths: stay on roads and tracks.
- Beach has rough seas and eroding bamboo huts; not safe for swimming.
- Lodge prices may change between reservation and check-out: confirm in writing.
- No ATM or bank that reliably accepts foreign cards (check); bring enough USD or LRD from Monrovia.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Fire and ambulance
- 911
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BuchananBuchanan
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Fire and ambulance911
Embassy
Nearest embassy is in Monrovia; check /liberia/visa-requirements.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Monrovia → Buchanan, shared taxi: about US$10, about 2 h (check)
- Buchanan centre → beach, motorbike: US$2–3
Say or show
- Hello — Hello (hello)
- Thank you — Thank you (thank you)
- How much? — How much? (how much)
- Too expensive — Too expensive (too expensive)
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach? (where is the beach)
English is widely spoken; no phrasebook needed.
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 Buchanan. 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–Apr (dry season) · avoid May–Oct (heavy rain, roads may be poor) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the beach and Lumco complex with access notes.
- Eat pages for the few restaurants on Gardner Street.
- Dry-season road condition fixture for the Monrovia–Buchanan route.
Sources
Ask about Buchanan
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