Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) is a West African nation on the Gulf of Guinea, known for the skyscraper skyline of Abidjan, the vast man-made basilica of Yamoussoukro, the colonial-era beach town of Grand-Bassam, and a coastline of lagoons and palm-lined beaches stretching from Ghana to Liberia. It is the world's largest cocoa producer and West Africa's economic engine, blending a modern commercial capital with rainforest national parks, Sahelian towns in the north, and dozens of distinct ethnic cultures.
Cote d'Ivoire has a tropical climate that splits into two broad zones. The southern coast (Abidjan, Grand-Bassam, Assinie, Sassandra) has an equatorial climate with two rainy seasons - a long one from roughly April/May to July and a shorter one in October and November - separated by a short cool dry spell in August-September (the 'petite saison seche') and a longer warmer dry season from December to March. Temperatures on the coast stay warm and humid year-round, typically 24-32°C (75-90°F). The north (Korhogo, Bouake, Ferkessedougou) has a tropical savanna climate with a single wet season from roughly May to October and a longer dry season from November to April, including the dusty Harmattan wind from the Sahara in December-February, when daytime temperatures can spike to 35-38°C (95-100°F) despite cool, hazy mornings.
Best time to visit
Best: Year-round
Avoid: None
Month-by-month weather
Typical conditions throughout the year.
January
28°C/82°F (coast); hot, hazy days and cool mornings in the north due to Harmattan
Dry season on the coast with lower humidity; Harmattan dust haze can reduce visibility and coat surfaces countrywide
February
29°C/84°F (coast); increasingly hot in the north as Harmattan eases
Still dry and pleasant on the coast; the north remains dry with rising daytime heat
March
29°C/84°F (coast); very hot in the north, often 35°C+
Coastal dry season continues but humidity is building ahead of the April rains; the north is at its hottest and driest before the wet season
April
29°C/84°F (coast); hot in the north with pre-rain buildup
The long coastal rainy season typically begins, with increasing afternoon showers; the north remains very hot just before its rains arrive
May
28°C/82°F (coast); rains beginning in the north
Heavy rains intensify on the coast; the north's single wet season begins, cooling temperatures somewhat but increasing humidity
June
26°C/79°F (coast)
One of the wettest months on the coast, with frequent heavy downpours in Abidjan and along the Gulf of Guinea; the north is in full wet season
July
25°C/77°F (coast)
Peak of the long coastal rainy season, though rainfall can ease slightly compared to June; consistently wet in the north as well
August
24°C/75°F (coast)
The coastal 'petite saison seche' (short dry season) brings a welcome lull in rain and slightly cooler, cloudier weather; the north remains in its wet season
September
25°C/77°F (coast)
Continuation of the coastal dry lull, generally pleasant; the north's wet season is beginning to taper
October
26°C/79°F (coast)
The shorter second coastal rainy season typically arrives, with renewed afternoon showers; the north is drying out further
November
27°C/81°F (coast)
Coastal rains ease through the month as the long dry season approaches; the north enters its dry season with pleasant, less hazy conditions before Harmattan intensifies
December
28°C/82°F (coast); cooler mornings in the north from early Harmattan
Coastal dry season begins in earnest; the north sees its most comfortable travel conditions before Harmattan haze thickens later in the month
The seasons
What to expect in each part of the year.
Spring
Months: Mar-May
The long rainy season begins on the coast in April-May, with humidity and afternoon downpours building through the month. In the north, March and April are the hottest, driest months before the rains arrive in May, with temperatures regularly exceeding 35°C.
Summer
Months: Jun-Aug
June and July bring the heaviest coastal rainfall, with Abidjan seeing its wettest months of the year. August is notably drier and slightly cooler on the coast (the 'petite saison seche'), while the north is in the middle of its single wet season with regular afternoon storms.
Fall
Months: Sep-Nov
September remains relatively dry on the coast before a second, shorter rainy season arrives in October-November. The north's wet season is winding down through October, with November transitioning into the dry Harmattan period.
Winter
Months: Dec-Feb
The coast enters its long dry season, warm and increasingly hazy as the Harmattan wind carries Saharan dust south. The north is fully in its dry season with cooler, dusty mornings from the Harmattan and warm afternoons, making this the most comfortable period for northern travel.
Crowds & peak times
When to expect tourists and when to avoid them.
- High Season
- Dec-Feb (dry season countrywide, holiday travel, and the most comfortable weather for sightseeing)
- Shoulder Season
- Mar and Aug-Sep (coastal dry lull and pre-heat window; fewer international visitors than Dec-Feb)
- Low Season
- Apr-Jul and Oct (heaviest rains on the coast; travel logistics and outdoor plans are harder to plan around)
Major events & festivals
Time your visit around what matters.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr
Observed by Cote d'Ivoire's large Muslim population, especially in the north; visitors should expect shifted business hours and lively Eid celebrations at the close of the fasting month
Fete du Dipri, Gomon
A striking traditional festival in the village of Gomon near Abidjan, held at night, in which villagers perform rituals believed to protect the community and punish wrongdoers
Fete du Masque (Festival of Masks), Man region
The Dan and Wobe peoples of the western mountains around Man hold masked dance ceremonies celebrating traditional spirituality and craftsmanship, among the most visually striking festivals in the country
Abissa Festival, Grand-Bassam
A week-long traditional festival of the N'zima people involving music, dance, and ceremonies of reconciliation and social renewal, held in the historic town of Grand-Bassam
Independence Day
National holiday marking Cote d'Ivoire's 1960 independence from France, observed countrywide with parades and celebrations