Liberia Travel Safety

Road safety

Road conditions and road safety are poor throughout the country. Many roads outside Monrovia are unpaved. Road conditions deteriorate significantly during the rainy season. You should arrange transportation before you arrive and for the duration of your stay. Avoid driving unless you are familiar with local conditions. If you do plan to drive, opt for a four-wheel-drive vehicle. To minimize safety risks, plan ahead in case of breakdowns. Crowds tend to form around accidents and they can become violent. Avoid travelling after dark. There are no operating traffic lights and all roads are unlit. Exercise caution when approaching intersections. Fuel shortages are common. Keep this in mind if you are travelling to remote areas. Be cautious of the following if you do drive:poor driving standards and widespread disregard for traffic laws overloaded vehicles, which frequently stop without signalling pedestrians, who routinely dodge traffic roaming animals.

Taxis

Transportation services are severely limited or inadequate in rural areas. Use only licensed taxis. Ask your hotel or host to hire one ahead of time from a reputable company.

Women's safety

There have been numerous incidents of rape and attempted rape on expatriate women, many of whom worked for charity organizations of the UN. Mamba Point and Sinkor in Monrovia, where foreigners tend to stay, have had many reported incidents of mugging, assault and other crimes. Incidents of attacks and sexual assault against foreign women, including rape and murder might occur. Be extremely vigilant at isolated places and while dealing with strangers. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Female visitors and residents should take care when walking or travelling alone even during daylight hours. Exercise a very high degree of caution during travel.

Scams

Be wary of unsolicited emails offering enticing business or financial opportunities. Do not travel to Liberia with the intention to obtain restitution after losing money to a scam. Instead, seek legal advice on how to deal with the situation. If you're travelling to Liberia to meet someone you've otherwise only met online, you may be the victim of a scam.

Crime

Foreigners have been victims of violent crimes, including aggravated sexual assault and murder. Crime significantly increases in the darkness of night due to the lack of electricity in some parts of the capital. Muggings, armed assaults and theft are prevalent. Avoid displaying any signs of affluence in public. Do not leave valuables or bags unattended. Armed home break-ins are also common and thieves target areas where foreigners visit or live. If you are the victim of an armed robbery, do not resist. Attackers have sometimes gravely assaulted their victims for failing to comply or not complying quickly enough. Consider hiring private security because the capacity of police to respond to crimes and other incidents is very limited, particularly outside of Monrovia.

LGBT

Homosexuality is illegal. The laws of Liberia prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. Those convicted can face upto 1 year of imprisonment. LGBT travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Liberia.

Illegal or restricted activities

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are severe. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Possession of pornographic material is illegal. Photography and filming of military installations, airports and seaports, bridges and important government buildings is prohibited. Importation/exportation of rough diamonds is subject to strict international trade laws. Seek legal advice before engaging in commercial transactions involving rough diamonds. Penalties for illegally exporting diamonds include imprisonment. Local prison conditions are harsh.

Driving

An International Driving Permit is required. The use of a seatbelt is mandatory. Convoys carrying government officials travel at high speeds, and you must pull over and turn off your headlights if you see one approaching. You should wait a few minutes after the convoy passes before continuing on.