Overview

The Republic of Liberia is a country on the west coast of Africa, bordered by Sierra Leone, Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and the Atlantic Ocean. The name Liberia means liberty, and it was originally a colony founded by freed slaves from the United States. These freed slaves formed a government based on the U.S. constitution and named their capital city after James Monroe, the fifth president of the United States.

Liberia has a hot equatorial climate with a lot of rainfall in the summer. There are many shallow lakes, rivers and streams that dot the landscape and heavy forestation in certain areas. Many people are surprised at how much wildlife can be found throughout the nation, especially near water sources. Some of the most famous birds in the world can be found in Liberia, giving it the moniker birders paradise.

Activities & Attractions

There are stunning places for travelers to go boating, hang gliding, fishing and bird watching. Among the beautiful places worth visiting are Silver Beach and Sapo National Park. Monrovia is a bustling city and tourist attraction sprawled across a narrow peninsula between the Mesurado River and the sea. When you visit museums such as the Liberian National Museum, you can see how impressive their culture is and how much they have been able to preserve despite all of the civil wars.

Lake Piso in Robertspot is another major tourist attraction and perfect for outdoor lovers. For those interested in learning about the cultural history of Liberia, The Kendeja Cultural Center located near Monrovia is a great visit. It has special sites dedicated to the preservation and portrayal of Liberia's indigenous culture.

Providence Island is a tiny island between Monrovia and the mouth of the Mesurado River. It was the first landing site of the founding fathers of Liberia and is now a place for amusement and recreation. It has a bandstand and amphitheatre for traditional African music and dance and is a popular destination for tourists and natives.

Lodging

You will find simple lodging throughout most of the country, but there are a handful of major locations to stay at in the major cities. Occidental Grand, Best Western, Hilton Garden and El Punto are some of the most reputed hotels in Liberia. For more information on lodging in Liberia, visit the Web sites found below in the resources section.

Transportation

Roads are mostly undeveloped through the country, although roads in the city are of good quality. For travelling through the cities and beyond, bush taxis and share taxis are available. For a little more money you can hire a private taxi to take you to places of interest around the country. It is recommended to have a native guide with you on your travels, especially if you are planning to head into the countryside.