Monrovia Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Monrovia.
Expect shortages in public wards. Private clinics charge. Yet they deliver cleaner rooms, working gear, and drugs that are in stock.
Pay cash before anyone touches you. Choices include John F. Kennedy Medical Center, the national referral hospital, plus a handful of smaller private clinics.
Bring enough of your own prescription drugs. City-center pharmacies carry basics. But specific pills vanish for weeks.
Buy evacuation insurance. Hospitals want cash or proof of cover up front.
- ✓ Carry a basic first-aid kit with essentials like bandages and antiseptic.
- ✓ Update routine shots. Add hepatitis A, typhoid, and yellow fever. Officials often check the yellow card at the airport.
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpockets love crowds. Markets and bus parks are their stage.
Traffic is wild. Potholes, no lights, and fearless taxis equal daily crashes.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
A friendly stranger near the ATM offers to guide you. Next stop is an empty alley or an overpriced shop.
Street money changers promise great rates. You will receive fake bills or less cash than counted.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
- • Carry copies. Lock the real passport in the hotel safe.
- • Text someone your route. Check in when you return.
- • Hotel-called taxis are safer. Skip the street hail.
- • Avoid walking alone after dark, even in areas that seem busy during the day.
- • Ask the restaurant to phone your ride home.
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Solo women travelers might attract unwanted attention in Monrovia. While violent assault is not common, verbal harassment can occur. Traveling with a companion, after dark, is advisable.
- → Dress modestly to blend in and avoid drawing attention. Knee-length skirts or trousers and tops that cover the shoulders are widely accepted.
- → Share taxi details with a friend. Stick to booked cars.
- → Be prepared for occasional direct or persistent approaches from strangers; a polite but firm disengagement is the best response.
Same-sex relations are illegal. The law is clear.
- → Skip hand-holding, kissing, even lingering eye contact. Monrovia watches, and discretion keeps you safe.
- → Be cautious when discussing personal matters with strangers.
- → No rainbow flags fly here. Hunting for an LGBTQ+ scene in Monrovia courts danger.
Travel Insurance
Protect yourself before you travel.
Monrovia clinics run short on basics. Buy travel insurance that shouts medical cover, evacuation cover, or risk a six-figure bill.
Ready to plan your trip to Monrovia?
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