Introducing Liberia
Travel Alert: The security situation in Liberia is unpredictable; check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
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After almost two decades of war, Liberia – a lush, rainforested country draped across West Africa’s southern flank – seems at last to have found some breathing room. With Africa’s first woman president at the helm, the peace, while still fragile, is holding and Liberians have thrown themselves with gusto into the work of rebuilding their shattered land.
If Liberia does stabilise and open up for travel, it will offer intrepid adventurers a fascinating glimpse into what was previously a wonderfully hospitable and fascinatingly enigmatic society. Liberia’s artistic traditions – especially carved masks, dance and storytelling – rivalled those of anywhere on the continent, and traditional culture was strong. This was especially true in the country’s interior, where secret initiation societies played a central role in growing up, and today still serve as important repositories of traditional knowledge and life skills. For now though, most of this cultural wealth remains inaccessible to visitors, and independent travel outside of the country's capital Monrovia is not considered safe.
Liberia’s dense, humid rainforests – some of the most extensive in West Africa – are alive with the screeching and twittering of hundreds of birds, who are kept company by forest elephants, pygmy hippos and other wildlife padding around the forest floor. Along the coast, deserted white-sand beaches alternate with humid river deltas and tranquil tidal lagoons, while inland plateaus rise to verdant hill country on the borders of Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea.
Though the situation is definitely looking up, it's advisable to get an update on local security conditions before setting your plans.
Last updated: Aug 21, 2009
Tips & articles
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West Africa: travel books to read before you go
1 October 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s West Africa guide provides a selection of travel literature to get you in the mood...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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RE: A trip to nicaragua
by SoloHobo 13 September 2011
If you cross the border on the Pan Am, with local busses every hour to Liberia, which takes 2 hours, you could then head to Rincon, a…
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New Years Eve in Costa Rica
by mathowny 12 September 2011
Greetings everyone, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions on where to spend New Years Eve in Costa Rica. Some information: …
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RE: travel
by SoloHobo 07 September 2011
There are loads of parks, eco systems, natural wonders and a ton of activities to do, and also two coast to discover, taking 3-4 weeks…
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Liberia
Things to do
- All things to do (25)
- Activities (0)
- Entertainment (3)
- Restaurants (14)
- Shopping (3)
- Sights (5)
- Tours (0)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Liberia
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1 Silver Beach
Silver Beach Relax on this surf-pounded and palm-fringed stretch of sand just minutes from central Monrovia.
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2 Sapo National Park
Sapo National Park Wander under the lush, humid canopy of one of West Africa’s last remaining rainforests.
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3 Monrovia
Stroll through central Monrovia, seeing what street vendors have on offer and getting a feel for the beat on the street.
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4 Liberians
Mingle with the locals over a plate of fufu and sauce and a cold Club beer, or cheering on the Lone Stars at a soccer match.
Fast Facts about Liberia
- Time
GMT/UTC
- Population
3.3 million
- Borders
Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea and Sierra Leone
- Seasons
Dry (November to April), wet (May to October)
- Telephone
Country code 231; international access code 00
- ATMs
None
- Budget
From US$50 per day
- Capital
- Visa
Costs US$50 to US$100; must be obtained in advance
- Languages
English and more than 20 indigenous languages
- Area
111, 370 sq km
- Money
Liberian dollar; US$1 = L$49
Our favourite Liberia Blogs (beta)
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Update from the Field: Personal Connections, Supply and Demand + A Culinary Excursion
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 23 May 2011
Compiled by Kathrin Gerner, KF15, Togo As the 14th class passes the baton to the 15th class, the Kiva fellows are sharing their final thoughts and first impressions. Be inspired by the personal connections Kiva creates between lenders and borrowers in Nepal and Sierra Leone. Find out how a phenomenal harvest can prevent farmers in Nicaragua from repaying their loans. Discover the creative ways of assessing credit worthiness used in Uganda and around the globe. Sample local customs and cuisine, while reading about the Day of the Child in Mexico and taking a culinary excursion in Liberia.
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Update from the Field: Farewells, Mistaken Identities + Micro-Microfinance
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 2 May 2011
Compiled by Alexis Ditkowsky, KF14, South Africa We've officially hit the point in the Kiva Fellows cycle where the current batch says goodbye just as the latest group is getting their bearings at Kiva HQ. Fortunately, there are a number of posts this week to help us through the transition and cheer us up. If you're interested in a comprehensive image gallery of the hot designs for share taxis in Rwanda, we've got you covered.
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Update from the Field: Fun Facts, Field Visits + Back to Basics
Blog: Kiva Stories from the Field - 21 March 2011
Compiled by Alexis Ditkowsky, KF14, South Africa For many Fellows, this week was about getting back to basics: the borrowers. In between fun facts about Kiva Fellowships, doing database detective work, and reflecting on the internal dynamics of Kiva's partner microfinance institutions, Fellows found themselves in the field again and again, much to their delight and often to the delight of borrowers.
