Shopping
Overview
You can trade in the markets. Wooden figures, bronze items, masks, leather goods, jewellery, fabrics, hand-woven blankets and handicrafts of all kinds are popular souvenirs. Shop opening hours: Mon-Sat 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. – 5 p.m. Some shops also open on Sundays. Markets are held daily in the larger towns.
Nightlife
Introduction
In Ouagadougou, nightclubs with music and dancing and open-air cinemas provide evening entertainment. There are both open-air cinemas and indoor ones with air conditioning.
- Topmbadirectory: Offers information about politics, geography, and known people in Burkina Faso.
Culinary
Overview
Apart from the hotels, there are few restaurants in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. Main foods are sorghum, millet, rice, corn, nuts, potatoes and yams. Local vegetables are available in the respective harvest season. The most common national dish is the spicy tô, a millet dough with sorghum or corn, eaten with a sauce. The ingredients of the sauce vary from region to region. Other specialties include brochettes (meat on a skewer) and poultry dishes. Drinks: Beer is very cheap. The local beer Dolo is made from millet.
Accommodation
Hotels
There are hotels with air conditioning and other facilities such as swimming pool and tennis courts in Ouagadougou, Bobo Dioulasso. You will also find comfortable guest houses (pensions) and lodges as well as bungalows in the Arly National Park. Further information from the Direction du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (see addresses). Categories: The government assigns 1-4 stars depending on the facilities and services.
Culture
Religion
40% followers of native religions, 50% Muslims and 10% Christians (mainly Catholics).
Social Rules of Conduct
French manners and customs prevail in the cities. Clothing may be casual and adapted to the hot weather. Smarter attire is expected on special occasions. The rural way of life has changed little over the centuries and visitors should respect local customs and traditions. Tipping: Service is usually included in the bill (10-15%). However, taxi drivers, hotel employees and porters expect a tip.
Climate
Best travel time
Tropical. The best travel time is between November and March. The harmattan wind between November and February brings dry and cool weather. Hot season March – May followed by the main rainy season (June – October). High precipitation rate in the southwest, less in the northeast.
Country data
Phone prefix
+226
Area (sq km)
274200
Population
20,680,337 (Source: homosociety)
Population density (per square km)
69
Population statistics year
2020
Main emergency number
17
