Flight to Monrovia (MLW)

Flying to Monrovia: tips and information for your trip

Nestled between Sierra Leone, Guinea, and the Ivory Coast, Liberia is located on the West Coast of Africa. The first and oldest modern republic of Africa is home to over 4.5 million people and has one of West Africa’s best national parks. The country is lush, green, friendly and, vibrant, offering excellent surf spots, edgy local shops, and wondrous rainforests.

Despite Liberia’s turbulent past, which saw the country facing a brutal civil war and suffering from the Ebola outbreak, Liberia’s economy is bouncing back. With travel restrictions lifted, the path to and through Liberia is wide open, enabling tourists to discover and experience this fantastic place, full of hope, and energy.

So what are you waiting for? Book your flight ticket to Monrovia today and discover Liberia with Brussels Airlines!

What to do in Monrovia, Liberia

1. Near to the capital city Monrovia, Providence Island, is the place where freed American slaves first disembarked. The site has many great stories to tell about the slave trade, and the government plans to turn it into a historical attraction in the future.
2. If you want to explore Monrovia in its rawest form, head to the Waterside Market. Colourful textiles, shoes, pottery, and leather goods are found everywhere; just make sure your haggling skills are top-notch and don’t let the smell or noise scare you off.
3. Sapo National Park is the nation’s largest protected area of rainforest and covers 1,800 square kilometres. This biodiversity hotspot is located in the south of Liberia and has the greatest diversity of mammal species of any region in the world. In particular, it provides sanctuary for pygmy hippos and elephants.
4. Robertsport, named after Liberia’s first president Joseph Jenkins Roberts, is located 50 km north of Monrovia and is a surfers’ paradise with golden beaches, surf lodges, and body-boarding tourists.
5. Liberia’s National Museum has recently been renovated and has both photo and art exhibitions. You can find former President Roberts’ dining table as well as paintings and items representing Liberian tribal cultures.

Practical information for your trip to Monrovia, Liberia

• Brussels Airlines flights arrive and depart from Roberts International Airport, informally also known as Roberts Fields. The airport is located 60 km east of Monrovia and is named in honour of Joseph Jenkins Roberts, the first President of Liberia. 
  
• Currency: The Liberian dollar (LBR) is the currency of Liberia, but US dollars are still widely accepted. US dollars are often used for transactions over a few dollars. The official Liberian currency is used for small items costing less than 5 dollars. Other currencies, such as euros, can be exchanged at the international airport, foreign exchange bureaus in Monrovia, and some banks. Credit cards are rarely accepted and there are generally very few ATMs.
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: The country code for Liberia is +231 and Wi-Fi is available in most hotels and restaurants. Most people communicate using mobile phones. The two main companies are Orange and Lone Star. Both carriers have sales agents stationed at Roberts International Airport.
• Electric sockets: Power sockets are type A, B and F. The standard voltage is 120/220 V and the standard frequency is 60/50 Hz. US and European residents won’t need an adaptor. If you use British plugs, you’ll need to carry an adaptor with you.
• Travel information: A passport is mandatory when travelling to Liberia and it must be valid for a minimum of six months from the date of entry. A visa is required for all citizens not living in West African States. There are three types of visa: single entry visa (3 months), multiple entry visa (1 year), and multiple journey visa (2 years).
• Vaccination: An international vaccination certificate for yellow fever and other vaccinations is required at the port of entry into Liberia. Malaria is present in the country year-round, so make sure you take prescription medicine before, during, and after your trip to prevent malaria.

Dos and don'ts in Monrovia, Liberia

• Do shake hands and smile sincerely when you meet people. Liberians are friendly and won’t understand if you’re conservative. A typical Liberian greeting amongst men is snapping your fingers.
• If possible, resist giving money to beggars, as this only encourages more aggressive begging.
• When given food, never refuse it. The best food is almost always given to visitors, so if you refuse food, Liberians will be very insulted.
• Seatbelts are always mandatory, even in taxis. When you’re driving your own car, remember it’s against the law to drink and drive, or to talk on the phone whilst driving.
• Road signs in English are only available on the main streets. All other streets will have to be found by asking people.

Some Liberian vocabulary

The official language in Liberia is English, and there are over 20 indigenous languages spoken, representing the wide range of ethnic groups in the country. Local parlance is colloquial and often ends with the sound “-o-”, for example:

• Ya Hello-o: Hello to all of you. This is a common way to greet people. It's warm and friendly.
• “Not bad-o”. : Meaning I’m fine.
• Liberians don’t say something is ruined or broken, they say “it is spoiled.”
• “Dress” means to move aside.
• “Ba”: means friend.
• "To know book” is to be educated or literate.

Cultural events in Monrovia, Liberia

• Independence Day has been celebrated annually on the 26th of July since 1847. Official events and parades take place in the capital city Monrovia and there are many parties in the rest of the country.
• Thanksgiving is also celebrated in Liberia, as a result of freed slaves arriving from America. In contrast to the United States, in Liberia, it is celebrated on the first Thursday of November.
• Every November in Monrovia’s Sports Stadium, Monrovia’s Children’s Festival brings together thousands of young people from Liberia to celebrate their country’s achievements. Interactive games, sports contests, live music, and celebrity performances mark the occasion.

When to visit Monrovia and Liberia

There are two seasons in Liberia: the rainy season from May to November and the dry season from December to April. Between April and mid-November, weather is hot, yet cloudy. There are frequent heavy rain showers. Between December and March, it is dry with hot days and cool nights. Temperatures range from 23° to 32° in Monrovia and are slightly higher inland.

What to eat in Monrovia, Liberia

Rice is the staple food and is served along with several combinations of fish and vegetables. Some popular Liberian meals are palm butter (palm nut seedlings boiled and pounded), Jollof rice, and cassava leaf – a sauce made from the ground leaves of cassava simmered in a palm oil sauce. Rice bread and sweet potato pone are typical Liberian desserts. Coconut candy or milk candy are examples of Liberian sweets.