Burkina Faso, meaning 'Land of Honest People,' is a West African nation rich in cultural heritage and traditional arts. From the vibrant capital Ouagadougou to the historic city of Bobo-Dioulasso, visitors can experience authentic West African culture, stunning natural landscapes including waterfalls and wildlife reserves, and warm hospitality.
Local currency: West African CFA franc (XOF / FCFA).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Burkina Faso.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $8-15
- Budget
- $20-40
- Midrange
- $55-100
- Luxury
- $160-300+
Food
- Street
- $1-3 (brochettes, tô, beignets at market stalls)
- Local
- $5-10 (maquis restaurant full meal with beer)
- Midrange
- $15-25 (international restaurant 2-course meal)
- Fine
- $50-90+ (hotel fine dining with wine)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.50-1 (SOTRACO city bus per trip)
- Taxi
- $3-8 (private taxi across city)
- Airport
- $10-15 (taxi to city centre)
- Daytrip
- $15-40 (private taxi half-day to nearby sites)
Activities
- Museum
- $3-8 (National Museum, Music Museum)
- Sites
- $4-10 (Sindou Peaks, waterfalls, wildlife sites)
- Tour
- $25-60 (guided half-day tours)
- Excursion
- $40-90 (Nazinga game drive, full-day trips)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Burkina Faso costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$120-175/week
Midrange traveller
$266-420/week
Luxury traveller
$476-1050+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat at local maquis restaurants rather than hotel restaurants — a full meal with cold beer costs $5-8 versus $25-40 at a hotel
Use shared green taxis (taxi brousse) rather than private taxis — paying per seat on a shared route costs $1-2 versus $5-10 for a private cab
Buy drinking water at markets and small shops rather than hotel mini-bars — savings of 70-80% on hydration costs
Book accommodation in Ouaga 2000 district only if security is a priority — equally safe guesthouses in Secteur 7-10 cost 40-50% less
Time visits to avoid FESPACO (biennial, February-March odd years) and SIAO (biennial, October-November even years) when hotel prices surge 50-100%
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Grand Marché Ouagadougou
Wander through the largest market in the capital for free — a sensory experience of colourful fabrics, fresh produce, crafts, and daily Burkinabé life without paying any entrance fee.
Moro-Naba Ceremony
Attend the ancient Friday morning ceremony at the Moro-Naba Palace at 7 AM. The symbolic royal performance by the Mossi emperor's court is free to observe as a respectful visitor.
Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou
Entry to the artisan village to watch bronze casters, leatherworkers, and weavers at work is free — you only pay if you purchase handicrafts.
Cathedral of Ouagadougou
The main Catholic cathedral is free to enter and features striking architecture blending European and African design elements. Attending a Sunday morning Mass is a memorable free cultural experience.
Bobo-Dioulasso Old Town Walks
Exploring the Kibidwé historic quarter of Bobo-Dioulasso is free on foot — the mud-brick architecture, traditional compounds, and narrow lanes provide an authentic glimpse of pre-colonial urban life.
Sunset at Domes of Fabedougou
Walk to the base of the dome formations for sunset views — the entrance fee is minimal ($4) and at sunset these geological formations glow in spectacular orange hues for free photography.