exuL Voyage Tours in West Africa

Bonjour!!! I haven't been doing much writing but I have been doing a lot of traveling! Check out my video playlist from Cote D' Ivoire (Ivory Coast) West Africa!!! From fabric making in the village of Bomizambo in Yamossoukro to the process of making the Ivorian dish Attieke in Blockhauss! Enjoy!!! Interested in touring West Africa? Contact exuL Voyage online at https://www.exulvoyage.com/!!! 

Abidjan travel tips

My travels have taken me to Abidjan in the Ivory Coast  (Cote D'Ivoire) of West Africa! I am on a tour with Exul Voyage travel company! I ran into a few stumbling blocks along the way. I hope your experience will be seamless so here are some tips to help you along the way!

For US citizens  make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months pass your date of entry. A visa is required! Try to do your Visa application at least three to four weeks in advance. Click here for passport requirements!  (Non US  passport holders please check requirements for your country online.) I did it one week in advance and ran into some minor issues. That cost me a day of my vacation. Making changes to your flight reservation can be very costly! You can save time and possibly money to get your visa upon arrival but you will need to do the application process online before arriving. Click here to learn more about visas upon arrival! Exul Voyage is more than happy to set up the visa and yellow fever vaccination on arrival. 

Get Yellow fever vaccination one month in advance. Your primary care provider, travel medicine clinic or local urgent care may be able to administer it. Also check with your medical insurance to find out if they will cover yellow fever vaccine. Mine did and that saved me from $125 -$350 dollars.
You must bring your yellow vaccine card to prove you have received it or you will be forced to take one in the airport upon arrival.

Learn a few French words, it will help tremendously because most Ivorians don't speak English. No matter where in the world you go a Hello, goodbye or thank you shows respect and goes a long way!
The currency is CFA; $100 USD = about 60,000 CFA ( yes, when you exchange money you'll feel rich!) It's best to exchange money in Cote D'Ivoire. Your host would be able to help with getting the best exchange rate!
When shopping Negotiate!!! You can get a better price if you try. Never settle for the first price you are given.

What to Pack
Tissue, it always comes in handy! (I like the small packaged ones that are normally sold in a bundle of six)
Washcloths (Like many other places in the world they don't use them)
Insect repellent
Hand Sanitizer
Luggage lock (pilferage is common in France and Africa)
Lightweight clothes (it's always hot in Africa)
Have suitable shoes, sneakers for walking, flip flops for the beach, dress shoes for dancing, etc. Africans are some of the most fashionable people I know and you will have a couple nights out on the town!
Don't bring your brand new sneakers many places you walk will be in the dirt.
A pouch or purse that goes around your waist or over your head so you can keep your valuables close when shopping in the market place.
Bathing suit and beach towel.
Snacks

Be prepared to wash your clothes out by hand if you want to wear them again. There are very few options for public laundry. Most clothes are washed by hand and laid on ground or hung on clothing lines to dry.
Let me mention that part of the tour will include a visit to a small school at Brahimakro Villiage. They operate without electricity or running water. As a donation please bring school supplies for the children there each classroom holds 30 - 40 students. Any donation is greatly appreciated!

I hope these tips will put your mind at ease as you prepare for your trip!
Happy Travels!!!

Psst...Take an all inclusive tour of West Africa with Exul Voyage! Click the link to book your vacation!!!

Atlantic Beach Hotel, Puerto Rico

I took a last minute mid-week getaway to Puerto Rico! I didn't want to spend too much money so I checked online for hotels with hotels.com, Hotwire, Expedia and Orbitz. I was looking for a beach front property close to the airport or Isla Verdes preferably with a pool for less than $100 bucks a night. Through Orbitz I ended up selecting Atlantic Beach Hotel in Condado for $79 per night. I'm my haste I did not realize they did not have a pool. I liked that they were 4.5 miles from the airport, it's only about a 15 minute ride. They do not offer transportation so the taxi was $20 bucks. I arrived at the hotel about 12 noon. Getting out of the taxi I felt this place could be a little sketchy a small cream colored building with the name written down the side with a few missing blue letters. It is located a the end of a small side street. 

Upon entering the hotel I really liked the Caribbean feel of an open lobby with a phenomenal view of the beach, sheer curtains blowing in the wind and plenty comfortable seating to just relax and take in the view. The room was not ready because check in was not until 4pm. The desk attendant was very resourceful and offered suggestions on places to get lunch while I waited for my room to be cleaned. He allow me to leave my luggage in the lobby. I used the bathroom in that area and got really scared about the possible condition of my room because that was smelly and not well kept.

I returned after lunch and relaxed on a comfy couch enjoying the lobby view. My room was ready about two hours before check in. They allowed me to go to my room early. They still use actual keys on key chains for the rooms. It was small, clean and very basic. There were two modern style twin beds with brown wooden frames and white linens. There was also a flat screen TV, a small white dresser and a black nightstand with a lamp between the beds. The bathroom was modern with a stone finished standing shower. Shampoo and body wash dispensers were provided in the shower. (Sorry I didn't get photos of the actual room.)  They had a very old elevator I tripped every time I got out because it didn't line up evenly with the floor. I took the stars a lot because I thought I might actually get trapped in that thing. It could definitely use some updating. There were many shops, restaurants and other hotels located nearby. The public bus came on the main road, you could get to  the airport or Old San Juan on the bus but there were plenty of taxi vans available as well. The location was very convenient and not far from Old San Juan.  I would recommend this place as a budget friendly location. Be prepared to pay extra fees,..There was a refundable $100 deposit and a $5 per person energy fee upon check in. They also charge $10 deposit for use of beach towels. The use of beach chairs is free but you gotta be out there early to snag you one!
The tides were too high for a swim and seaweed was close to the shore so the staff told us we could possibly swim at one of the nearby resorts. They are located a few steps from the Marriott and La Conchas two very large beautiful resorts. I think they should try to make some sort of deal with one of the larger resorts to allow guest to use their pools. They also have a bar but it is only open on weekends. I recommend this place for the budget traveler or backpacker that is not looking to spend a lot of money and doesn't need the frills! You can  check out their website for more photos and rates here! Save travels!!!