Liberia is quite an interesting country. It has been created in 1821 as a place for free African Americans to migrate to. More than 10,000 made the journey across the Atlantic, aided by the society until Liberia declared independence in 1847.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Liberia are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary depending on visitors nationality. Citizens of certain African countries, including South Korea may visit the country without the requirement of a visa. Citizens of all other countries must obtain a visa either upon arrival, online or in a consulate, embassy or a mission. Visitors who wish to drive in Liberia may do so, using their national driving permits. Although an international driving permit is not required it is recommended as it will aid drivers in dealing with the local police or when renting a vehicle. The holders of British driving permits may apply for a Liberian driving permit however the process might be expensive and take quite some time, therefore, is not recommended unless for those who plan longer stays.

Traveling hazards

Road travel in Liberia can be hazardous. Potholes and poor road surfaces are common, making safe driving extremely challenging. Cars, trucks, motorcycles, and taxis are often overloaded with people and goods and make frequent stops without signaling. Drivers overtake on the right as well as the left. Many vehicles operate with threadbare tires, and blowouts are frequent. Public taxis are poorly maintained and usually overloaded. Drivers should approach intersections with extreme caution. The widespread absence of public street lights makes it difficult to see pedestrians walking in city streets or on country roads. Drivers and pedestrians are cautioned that high-speed car convoys carrying government officials require all other vehicles to pull off the road until they have passed. Travelers should expect time-consuming detours around the many bridges and roads damaged by war, neglect, or the heavy annual rains occurring between May and November. Travelers can expect strict enforcement of border controls by Liberian, Ivorian, Sierra Leonean, and Guinean authorities. At times, border crossings to neighboring countries are closed.

Environmental hazards

Liberia is relatively small however it has its share of the diverse African wildlife some of which is dangerous to people. The African bush elephant can be found in Liberia. These are the largest land animals on earth and despite not being aggressive, they can easily trample people to death when startled or angered or even flip over cars. Apart from this land stalking giant, all other dangerous animals are rather small. There are several lethally venomous snakes in Liberia. Some of the most dangerous include the puff adder which alone is responsible for 30 thousand deaths across Africa, the boomslang and the gaboon viper. Survival after a bite from one of these often depends on the proximity of the nearest hospital or the response of the emergency services. Despite the fact that Liberia has a long coast, there are very few reports of shark attacks in the country. Despite the fact that there are only 3 reports, many were possibly unreported.
Liberia suffers from a number of different natural hazards. Among these are floods, extreme temperatures, and storms. Floods, however, are solely responsible for deaths and damage to infrastructure and urban areas.

Health hazards

Yellow fever vaccine and a proof of it on paper are required from everyone visiting the country. Apart from the yellow fever vaccination requirement, there are no other required vaccines. There are however several vaccines which are recommended before travel. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccines, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccines. There is, unfortunately, no vaccines against malaria or Zika and both are present in Liberia. Since both are transmitted through mosquito bites, the use of mosquito repellents and mosquito nets is advised. There is also medicine on prescription against malaria which should be available to anyone after consulting their local general practitioner. Hospitals and health care services in Liberia are confined to the capital Monrovia, with virtually no medical services outside of the city. The medical care that is available is very basic with shortages of equipment as well as adequately trained doctors and healthcare staff. Following the civil war, Liberia continues to lack road infrastructure, access to water, electricity, and landlines; all which make it very difficult for the country to stabilize its economic, social and health care standards.
In case of an emergency dial 911.

Crime

In 2017, there was an increase in both nonviolent and violent crime. Most nonviolent crimes are property crimes and are opportunistic. Common types of nonviolent crimes include snatch and grabs of electronics, purses, bags, and backpacks, vehicular vandalism and vehicle theft. These crimes usually occur in densely populated areas. Street beggars may attempt to snatch valuables while receiving money. Traveling alone and in isolated in unfamiliar areas is not recommended, travel in groups of two or more people. Travelers are cautioned when visiting any public beach, the areas of greater Monrovia known as Red Light, Waterside, Congo Town, ELWA Junction, and all market areas. Petty crimes and armed robberies are common in those areas, especially after dark. Violent crime tends to affect local nationals rather than foreigners. Violent crimes consist of robberies, burglaries, muggings, and assaults. Sexual assault and rape are the most commonly reported violent crimes. The overwhelming majority of sexual assault victims are Liberian, and many are minors. Sexual violence against expatriates in Liberia is uncommon but has been reported at public beaches. Despite the fact that there is no risk of terrorism, western visitors are mainly targeted due to being perceived as wealthy. Due to the inefficiency of the local police narcotics are widely available making drug crime rampant. Possession, cultivation or distribution is a criminal offense and is punishable by jail time.

Summary

Liberia has been continuously ravaged by two civil wars and the most recent 2014 Ebola virus epidemic which echoed fear all over the world. Despite the official declaration by WHO that Ebola has perished from Liberia, tourists still avoid the country. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/liberia/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/liberia