Liberia’s decades of war, the scourge of Ebola, and its location in what is derisively called ‘the dark continent’ might lead many to conclude that traveling to the country is the equivalent of going to the Stone Age, with little to no access to the amenities people enjoy in developed countries.
On the contrary, Liberia has many amenities that visitors from developed countries would find extremely useful.
ATMs That Give US dollars
This may only appeal to Americans, but it’s an advantage to know that you can withdraw cash at tons of ATMs across the country, though they’re mostly concentrated in Monrovia. This means not having to travel with large amounts of cash or paying the relatively high fees associated with sending money via the Moneygram or the Western Union.
Depending on the bank, one can withdraw US$1,000 for US$10 instead of the US$16 from the Moneygram. That US$10, which includes a US$5 charge by the ATM and another by the user’s bank, although some banks refund ATM fees, even internationally.
On a related note, almost all supermarkets and a few high-end restaurants take credit cards.
Google Maps Navigation
Photo: Jefferson Krua
One of the worst aspects of traveling to a new place is not knowing how to get around. Fear not, because when traveling in Liberia, you can now use Google Maps’ Navigation feature, which turns your phone into a GPS navigation device.
This is a relatively new treat for Liberia, as it was introduced less than one year ago. Prior to that, you could use Google Maps, but it would not provide you with the turn-by-turn directions.
Understandably, people might be confused about the utility of such system in the absence of street addresses. However, Google allows you to type in landmarks such as ‘Ministry of Finance’ or ‘Gossip Night Club’ in addition to typing in cross streets (e.g. ‘Carey & Gurley Street’). Alternatively, if you know the location of your destination on a map, you can manually select the position on your phone.
Online Shopping and Delivery
Photo courtesy of Cookshop.biz
Sure, Liberia lacks an addressing system, but that doesn’t mean visitors to Monrovia cannot have food and other items delivered to them. With Cookshop.biz, you can order food from at least 27 of Monrovia’s eclectic selection of restaurants, with dishes ranging from sushi to injera.
If food is not what you desire, you can check out the Lib Online Market, essentially a convenience store on wheels. The most popular item at the store is unsurprisingly J-Palm’s Kernel Fresh brand of palm kernel oil. Lib Online Market’s competitor is Banjoo Super Store, which allows users to order wine, among other things.
Of course, because of the lack of addresses, be prepared to be descriptive in how you direct the couriers to your location. If you’re staying in Sinkor or Central Monrovia, your work is much easier as you can just use the cross streets. Otherwise, it’s important to identify key landmarks; something locals can help you out with if you ask. You should also expect to pay in cash.
High Speed Internet
Photo: Jefferson Krua
A common misconception is that fast internet access is not available in Liberia. That could not be further from the truth. Liberia’s three cellular networks (Lonestar, Cellcom, and Novafone) offer a range of options for getting connected.
Based on experience, Cellcom’s network appears to be the best and fastest for the internet. Its 4G LTE network has been documented reaching upload speeds of 44 Mbps, although, like the rest of the networks, you’re more likely to reach higher speeds during times when the network is not as crowded. Nevertheless, watching videos online or video chatting with friends is a breeze anytime on the network. I recommend my friends to go for Cellcom’s US$79 per month package when visiting for long periods. While expensive, I find it the best price for the speed and the absence of hassles.
Hail Taxi by Phone 24/7
Unlike Ghana, Liberia does not yet have access to Uber, the revolutionary transportation company that allows users to order rides via an application on their mobile devices. However, you can still ride in style with taxi companies like Solo Cab, which operates similarly to standard cab companies in developed nations. The company has all new vehicles, complete with the new car smell, and promises Wi-Fi, although, on most trips, the Wi-Fi is down. The lack of a mobile application that inputs customers’ locations cheapens the experience, but it’s nice to have reliable access to a cab company that operates round the clock.
Featured photo by Jefferson Krua
