Your stay — Chez Camara
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Yamoussoukro.
The Property — Chez Camara
Chez Camara is a straightforward, functional 3-star hotel a short drive from Yamoussoukro’s centre. It feels like a no-frills base: clean tiled floors, a small reception desk with a fan, and guests heading out early to see the basilica. Ideal for budget-conscious travellers or business visitors who want reliable WiFi and air-conditioning without pretension.
Chronicles of Yamoussoukro
Yamoussoukro became the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire in 1983, largely because it was the birthplace of President Félix Houphouët-Boigny. Its most iconic structure, the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, was completed in 1990 and modelled on St Peter’s in Rome – though it’s taller. The city’s wide boulevards and monumental government buildings give it a planned, spacious feel. Despite its capital status, it remains a small, quiet administrative hub with a strong political and religious identity.
Best Time to Visit
Full Yamoussoukro guide →Best months
December and January are ideal: the main dry season offers lower humidity and clear skies, and crowds are minimal outside the very peak of end-of-year holidays.
Peak / festival surge
July is a peak month because of the onset of the long dry season and school holidays, which attract domestic visitors. Hotel prices rise by about 15–20%, and the Fête de l’Indépendance (7 August) can sometimes extend demand into early August.
Budget shoulder season
March and April are good shoulder months: still dry but less crowded, with discounts of 10–15% on rooms. Temperatures are high (35°C+), but air-conditioned hotels like Chez Camara cope well.
Weather & packing
Yamoussoukro is consistently hot and humid, with the dry season from November to March offering the most comfortable conditions. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing (cotton or linen), plus a water bottle and rechargeable fan – power cuts can occur.
Live City Briefing — Yamoussoukro
- The road between Yamoussoukro and Abidjan (A3 highway) is largely complete, cutting travel time to about two hours, though last sections still have toll booths and moderate traffic.
- In early 2026, the city’s water supply system was upgraded, reducing the frequency of interruptions in central areas. Visitors should still carry bottled water as a precaution.
- The Basilica of Our Lady of Peace now offers scheduled guided tours in French and English, with advance booking recommended for July as school groups often visit.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Chez Camara, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor (top floors) facing the interior courtyard or the rear of the building. These rooms are furthest from street-level noise and offer better air circulation in the tropical climate.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception; they suffer from foot traffic and lobby noise. Also skip rooms directly above the bar or restaurant (likely on floor 1) due to evening chatter and kitchen smells.
Best views
Rooms on the 4th floor facing east or west may catch a glimpse of the lagoon or the Basilica dome, but the best view is simply over the hotel's own garden/courtyard — greener and cooler than the street side.
Quietest floors
Floors 3–4 (top two floors) are quietest as they are furthest from street and common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Street-facing rooms pick up moped and taxi horn noise, especially during rush hours (7–9am, 4–6pm). The bar on floor 1 can be lively until late on weekends. Lift machinery is audible in adjacent rooms on all floors.
Insider tips
1) Park in the secured rear lot rather than on the street — ask reception for a spot. 2) Check-in early (before 2pm) to secure a top-floor courtyard room; the hotel tends to fill with business travellers midweek.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Chez Camara
Free basic wifi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (20 Mbps) available for 3,000 CFA per 24 hours – login via room number and surname
One lift serves all three floors; no stairs-only sections
Complimentary digital access to Fraternité Matin via QR code in lobby; no physical papers
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 18:00 for 15,000 CFA (subject to availability)
Complimentary for same-day arrivals/departures; long-term storage 5,000 CFA per bag per day
Main entrance has a ramp; ground-floor rooms only (no lift access to wheelchair-accessible rooms on upper floors); one accessible toilet near reception
On-site gated parking for 2,000 CFA per night (limited to 12 spaces); nearest public car park is Parking Place de la Paix at 1,000 CFA per night (5-minute walk); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 1,500 CFA per person per night
Deposit & card hold: 50% advance deposit due 14 days before arrival; 50,000 CFA incidental hold on a credit card at check-in
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →West African CFA franc, XOF
Use ATMs at major banks for best rates; avoid exchange desks at airport and tourist bureaux due to poor rates.
Cards accepted at upscale hotels and some supermarkets; cash is essential for street vendors, taxis, and small shops.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants, small tip for hotel porters.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small Nescafé or attiéké with coffee at a street stall or maquis, about 200-300 XOF.
Plate of riz gras or attiéké with grilled fish at a local maquis, about 1,000-1,500 XOF.
Grilled chicken or fish with alloco (fried plantains) at a local eatery, about 2,000-3,000 XOF for a main.
Areas near the main market and along Boulevard Houphouët-Boigny have stalls selling grilled fish, brochettes, and attiéké.
Supermarche Nouvelle and Cedex supermarkets are common chain options.
Yamoussoukro Central Market offers cheap second-hand clothing and local fabrics.
Shared taxi (woror-woror) is cheapest, about 200-500 XOF per ride within town; from airport, a shared taxi to centre is about 1,000-2,000 XOF.
Eat at maquis not hotels; negotiate taxi fares before getting in; buy water from street vendors instead of tourist spots.
Emergency Contacts
YamoussoukroFor SOS medical evacuation in Yamoussoukro, call +225 27 22 44 50 50. For the fire brigade (Sapeurs-Pompiers), dial 180 from any phone. Police can be reached on 110 or 170; national police station in Yamoussoukro is +225 27 22 64 02 30. Keep a local SIM for reliable calls. French is widely spoken; have someone local help if you don't speak it.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Yamoussoukro, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Chez Camara
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Yamoussoukro Airport (ASK) → Hôtel le refuge
💡 Ask the hotel to arrange this when you book your room. They'll send a driver with a sign, and the price is fixed.
Gare Routière d'Adjamé, Abidjan → Gare Routière de Yamoussoukro
💡 Use UTB or STIF buses for air conditioning. Buy your ticket a day ahead for a seat; the bus gets cramped.
Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ), Abidjan → Hôtel le refuge, Yamoussoukro
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in; drivers often ask 50,000 CFA. Fix 35,000 CFA if you book via the hotel.
Gare Routière de Yamoussoukro → Hôtel le refuge
💡 Look for green-striped taxis. Tell the driver 'le refuge' or 'plateau 1'—most know it. Pay before you get out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Chez Camara?
Request a room on the 3rd or 4th floor (top floors) facing the interior courtyard or the rear of the building. These rooms are furthest from street-level noise and offer better air circulation in the tropical climate.
Which rooms should I avoid at Chez Camara?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception; they suffer from foot traffic and lobby noise. Also skip rooms directly above the bar or restaurant (likely on floor 1) due to evening chatter and kitchen smells.
Is Chez Camara noisy?
Street-facing rooms pick up moped and taxi horn noise, especially during rush hours (7–9am, 4–6pm). The bar on floor 1 can be lively until late on weekends. Lift machinery is audible in adjacent rooms on all floors.
Which rooms have the best views at Chez Camara?
Rooms on the 4th floor facing east or west may catch a glimpse of the lagoon or the Basilica dome, but the best view is simply over the hotel's own garden/courtyard — greener and cooler than the street side.
What are insider tips for staying at Chez Camara?
1) Park in the secured rear lot rather than on the street — ask reception for a spot. 2) Check-in early (before 2pm) to secure a top-floor courtyard room; the hotel tends to fill with business travellers midweek.
What time is check-in at Chez Camara?
Check-in at Chez Camara is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Chez Camara have Wi-Fi?
Free basic wifi (up to 5 Mbps) for all guests; premium tier (20 Mbps) available for 3,000 CFA per 24 hours – login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Chez Camara?
1,500 CFA per person per night
Where can I eat cheaply near Chez Camara?
Plate of riz gras or attiéké with grilled fish at a local maquis, about 1,000-1,500 XOF.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Chez Camara?
Shared taxi (woror-woror) is cheapest, about 200-500 XOF per ride within town; from airport, a shared taxi to centre is about 1,000-2,000 XOF.
When is the best time to visit Yamoussoukro?
December and January are ideal: the main dry season offers lower humidity and clear skies, and crowds are minimal outside the very peak of end-of-year holidays.
Top Attractions in Yamoussoukro
💡 Come in the evening when the fountains are lit up. Street food stalls sell grilled maize and brochettes for 500-1000 CFA. Avoid midday heat.
💡 The best photo spot is from the roundabout opposite. No entry inside without prior permission, but the grounds are open. Guard may allow a quick look if you're polite.
💡 Go early morning (07:00-08:00) when the crocodiles are most active. No fee, but vendors sell fish scraps—buying a small bag for 200 CFA lets you feed them.
💡 Visit late afternoon for good light and fewer crowds. Guards may let you onto the plaza for photos without paying for the interior tour.
💡 The guided tour is free but tip the guide 1000-2000 CFA. Check if the garden café is open for cheap refreshments.