Burkina Faso: main airports
Burkina Faso has a single airport with regular international connections: Ouagadougou Airport, the capital.
Burkina Faso: recommended activities
Burkina Faso: visa and entry requirements
Requirements vary a lot by nationality and can change at short notice depending on the political situation: some governments (including the United States) have had visa issuance to their citizens suspended in recent periods. Always check the up-to-date status with the nearest Burkina Faso embassy or consulate before organising your trip, not just the type of visa but whether it is currently being issued at all.
Burkina Faso: safety
Most Western governments advise against any travel to Burkina Faso: a state of emergency is in effect in several provinces, with a high risk of terrorist attacks, kidnappings and armed clashes affecting large parts of the territory outside the capital. Even in Ouagadougou the risk remains significantly higher than the regional average. Diplomatic staff of several countries (including the United States) are not authorised to travel outside the capital for security reasons, and intercity road travel is considered dangerous even in broad daylight. This is not a tourist page in the usual sense: those who pass through this airport almost always do so for diplomatic, humanitarian or professional reasons, and should refer directly to their own organisation and their country's official security channels, not to generic tourist information.
Burkina Faso: health situation
A yellow fever certificate is required for entry into the country. Burkina Faso is a malaria risk area across its whole territory: antimalarial prophylaxis is strongly recommended. Health facilities are very limited even in the capital: anyone who needs to travel to the country for work should arrange a medical evacuation plan in advance with their own organisation, given the difficulty of accessing adequate care locally.
Burkina Faso: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate. Cash is essential in almost all situations; credit cards are accepted only at a very few international hotels in the capital. Travel, even in Ouagadougou, should be organised through trusted contacts (one's own organisation, hotel) rather than relying on public transport or ride-hailing apps, which are not widespread in the country.
