Liberia Travel Guide

Liberia, with an awe-inspiring scenery dominated by highlands & savannah grass lands, founded in 1822, is the first black African Republic and a haven for freed black American slaves. Bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Cote d’ Ivoire and Sierra Leone.

Monrovia, Liberia’s capital city, was named in honour of one of the first presidents of the United States (1817-1825) James Monroe.

People & Culture
Liberia is home to over two million multicultural people. Liberia’s cultural heritage embraces diversity and dynamism that enriches their life in all its aspects.

Liberia settlers and their descendants, known as Americo-Liberians, defined the boundaries of the nation-state, with the support of the others made English the official language, and run the government and economy for years. The remaining people belong to sixteen broadly defined ethnolinguistic groups of the Niger-Congo family. The Mel (West Atlantic) group consists of the Gola and Kissi, who are believed to be the oldest inhabitants.

The Mande group, made up of Mandingo, Vai, Gbandi, Kpelle, Loma, Mende, Gio, and Mano peoples, is believed to have entered the area from the northern savannahs in the fifteenth century. The southern and eastern areas are inhabited by people who speak Kruan (Kwa) languages; the Bassa, Dei (Dey), Grebo, Kru, Belle (Kuwaa), Krahn, and Gbee are linguistically related to the peoples of the Niger delta far to the east.


Language
Liberia is a multilingual country, more 30 languages are spoken by the local population but the official language is English. These languages can be grouped in four language families: Manding, Kru, Mel, and the divergent language Gola. There is Liberian English, Liberian Kreyol language (Vernacular Liberian English) and Merico language (Americo-Liberian).


Religion
Basic religions practice are Christianity and Islam with the later having more influence.


Cities & Towns
Major towns and cities include Monrovia, Paynesville, Harper, Robert sport. Other principal cities are Gbarnga, Buchanan, Ganta, Kakata, Zwedru, Harbel, Pleebo and Foya.


Best time to visit
Aside from the rivers and islands, Liberia enjoys the earth’s finest climate for environmental tourism. With warmth & humidity. The idea time for visiting will be during Nov – April.

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Visitors from Western countries require visa to enter Liberia, but it’s advisable to check with your nearest Liberia embassy or your foreign office. To enter Liberia, a valid passport with at least 6 months left before expiration is required before a visa is issued for non ECOWAS citizens.

There is a waiting period of seven (7) working days for Visa processing and applicants are advised to apply within two weeks of their travel date.

Airlines by regulation going to Liberia, will not allow you to board without a valid visa. Even If you are a Liberian in diaspora with dual nationalities you are required to obtain a valid visa to travel to Liberia

In accordance with International Health Regulations, all persons entering Liberia are also required to have a Valid Certificate of Immunization (YELLOW BOOK).


Flying to Liberia
Liberia’s international airport, Roberts International, is suitable for all outbound & inbound flights. Direct flights from the United States to Monrovia can be obtained through Delta Airlines while Royal Air Maroc fly’s directly via Casablanca.

Be rest assured that the route from Roberts International airport to the city is safe as the road is fully protected by UNML. Other airlines that frequent Liberia include Brussels airlines, Air France, British Airways, Lufthansa Airline.


Flight times
Flights from London to Moronvia is less than 8 hours and Moronvia to New York is around 10 hours.


Travel by rail
Restricted movement to places, however this route is available to tourists that want to visit Bong mines, a gigantic ore-mining & processing plant with recreational facilities.


Driving to Liberia
The road linking Monrovea to Sierra Leone border at BO is in reasonable condition, the same can be said for the road linking Monrovia to Guinea Border at Ganta.
City taxi are readily available as public transport systems may be as reliable as expected.


Getting to Liberia by boat
With little improvement over the years, tourist can board a boat from stain Paul River to Robert Port.

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Outdoor activities abound in Liberia such as the beaches (Ellen’s Beach, Kendeja Beach, ELWA Beach, Bernard’s Beach Sugar Beach, Caesar’s Beach, Cooper’s Beach, Kenema Beach and Thinker’s Village Beach) Others are.


Sapo National Park
Liberia’s sole national park located at the southern region & is home to numerous.


Blue lake
This comes as a natural wonder in Monrovia


Providence Island
Lying at the north of River Mesurado is a small island where early Liberian settlers first settled.


Monrovia Handicrafts Market
Typical shopping can be done in Monrovia in the handicrafts market where Liberian handicrafts such as carvings in sapwood, cam wood, ebony and mahogany can be purchased. Others include; stone items, soapstone carvings, ritual masks, metal jewelry and figurines and reed dolls of the Loma.
The supermarkets and big boutiques are very ideal for tourists as they have lots of fabrics that are quite delightful to behold.


Kendeja National Cultural Center
Built in 1964 along the Atlantic Ocean Beach, the center contains an overview of customs & traditions of Liberia, though the damaged during the civil war left a few of the artifacts for view.

Many Monuments & Statues can be found on the ground of the Centennial Pavillion. Other tourist attractions include: Tregbe Isand in Grand Kro County, Dead Island in Maryland County Massatin Island, the Hidden Garden Art Gallery, Maleku. Papagago Masonic Temple, National History Museum of Liberia, Tubinan Centre of African Culture.


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Mamba Point Hotel
One of the most exquisite and best hotel in Monrovia with restaurants and bars that deliver warm and friendly services of their international delicacies to your delight. The hotel, overlooking Atlantic Ocean in the Diplomatic Quarter, is serene with in-interrupt able access to amenities like; water, electricity, air conditioning and security. Also available are modern features such as; swimming pool, sauna, tennis court, billiard room, outdoor jacuzzi and gym.


Palm Spring Resort
A classical example of antique beauty with an Atlantic Ocean and Chinese Embassy view. Just 30minutes away from Roberts International Airport, this resort is one of the most luxurious with amenities like wireless Internet access, visa card services with automated teller machine. Other features include intercontinental buffet breakfast, currency exchange, car hire, digital safety deposit box, bar and terrace.


Holiday Inn Hotel
Strategically located to have an easy access to the city, this hotel is well furnished to suit the taste of guests. Close to the hotel, you can find a number of shopping and entertainment venues. The hotel provides a number of world class facilities like room facilities, dining facilities, business facilities, recreation facilities and fitness facilities to guests to ensure a memorable stay.

Other exotic hotels in Monrovia to look out for include; Krystal Oceanview Hotel, Hotel Africa, Urban Hotels Liberia, Kailondo International Guest House and Hotel Newahun.


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