Monrovia
Monrovia is the capital, and with a population of around 1.6 million (2021), also the largest city in Liberia.
- For other places with the same name, see Monrovia (disambiguation).
The city center is the image of a tropical capital, melting in the hot sun. Monrovia is a low-rise capital on the sea, lined with palm trees and paint-chipped buildings of no more than three stories. The city has a vibrant vibe on the street.
Understand
From the harbor city's establishment in 1822 to Liberia's 1847 declaration of independence, the American Colonization Society resettled approximately 3200 former African-American and Caribbean slaves and their descendants. The city was named Monrovia in 1824 after US president James Monroe, then a prominent supporter of the colony. Approximately 29% of the Liberian population live in the 5-square-mile (13 km²) capital city.
There are a number of merchants lining the streets of downtown, selling used clothes, household wares, and an interesting selection of DVDs. Waterside market is the largest local indoor/outdoor market, with narrow walkways between busy stalls. There are two large, well-stocked supermarkets in the city center to offer a surprising selection of Western foods.
Despite its woes, Liberia has the feeling of a country on the ascent. Billboards line the streets, inviting citizens to pay their taxes to make their country stronger and to take pride in their success. It is not cliché to say that Liberians are extremely friendly, so the streets are vibrant.
Climate
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Monrovia has a year-round hot and humid tropical climate and is considered one of the rainiest capital cities in the world, with over 4,600 millimeters (181 inches) of annual rainfall per year. Temperatures do not vary much throughout the year, with a daily average of 26.4 °C (79.5 °F). The rainy season lasts between April and December.
Get in
By plane
- 🌍 Roberts International Airport (ROB IATA) (56 km (35 mi) from downtown).
- 🌍 Spriggs Payne Airport (MLW IATA).
Brussels Airlines offers a flight from Brussels, Belgium. Monrovia is connected to Casablanca with Royal Air Maroc. From there, connections exist to Europe and North America.
There is a Kenya Airways flight from Nairobi-Accra-Monrovia and a return to four flights a week on Brussels Airlines.
Get around
Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive but there have been rumors of robberies and pickpocketing in taxis. If you do take a taxi, don't take a shared taxi but rather hire one just for yourself.
See
- 🌍 National Museum of Liberia. Houses cultural artefacts and historical items depicting Liberia's heritage. Much looted during the long civil war it is now trying to regain stolen artifacts. Also includes exhibitions on the civil war.
- 🌍 Ducor Hotel. A former luxury hotel now abandoned but fenced and guarded. Access for tourists is possible for a small fee. Views from the roof are exceptional, especially at sunset. US$5 in 2019.
- Blo Degbo—Rock formation (Paynesville). A rock formation shaped like a human face
Buy
- 🌍 Waterside Market.
Eat
Dining options in Monrovia are reasonable, although anything other than Lebanese and Liberian tends to be expensive, but there are a few reasonable places.
There are hundreds of "cook shops" serving Liberian fare, but if you're yearning for something other than spicy sauces and rice, consider the following (in no particular order):
- 🌍 Diana, ☏ +231 777-563-333. Great lunch spot. Great Lebanese sandwiches and falafel.
- The Living Room Sushi Restaurant, Tubman Boulevard (Royal Hotel, Sinkor, between 14th and 15th Streets). Expensive, especially for the mediocre sushi. Very nice, sleek atmosphere, and one could almost be in New York. The Royal Hotel also has another Western/Lebanese restaurant, where the chicken burger is pretty good. Pirate (seafood) soup also not bad.
- The Barracuda Seafood and Sushi Bar (Mamba Point Hotel), ☏ +231 77 555 4444. The city's second sushi restaurant. Food is comparable to sushi at the Royal.
- 🌍 P.A.'s Rib House, Near Spriggs-Payne Airfield, ☏ +231 88 655 5544. Pretty good American-style barbecued ribs. Like most restaurants in Monrovia, service is a bit slow, and items on the menu are not always available.
- 🌍 Sajj House Restaurant, Tubman Blvd, Sinkor (at 18th St.), ☏ +231 88 683 0888. Venerable Lebanese establishment with outdoor dining, a big screen TV, and wi-fi internet along with a wide-range of menu options.
- 🌍 Rangoli Restaurant (5th Street (beach side) and Tubman Boulevard), ☏ +231 77 787 7977. Indian food.
- 🌍 FuZion D'Afrique Restaurant (Corner of Tubman Boulevard and 15th street, Sinkor), ☏ +231 88 696 9969. Relaxed bar and restaurant serving burgers, pizzas, and Liberian food. Good for watching sport.
Self-catering
The best produce (salad, vegetables, herbs, fruit, squash, etc.) can be found on Benson St., around Newport St. Raw honey is available outside the mosque (you'll need to strain it).
There is an excellent strip of butchers on Somalia Drive, near the port, where they slaughter and sell fresh cow, goat, and sheep meet. A butcher shop on Benson St. in town sells meat from these butchers (freshest W Sa).
Fresh fish is available in Sinkor just past the Vavoma building (where Sinkor becomes Congo Town), on the beach side of Tubman Blvd. Or call Moses at 06368158.
There are several supermarkets that sell imported (usually American, Lebanese, and some Western European) goods.
- 🌍 Monoprix, Benson Street (is conveniently located right by the good outdoor produce market in town).
- 🌍 Greenland, Tubman Boulevard. Small and a bit dark, but it's the only one open on Sundays (from about 8AM to noon). Overpriced but convenient produce stands in front.
- Exclusive Supermarket (Two locations).
- 🌍 Exclusive Supermarket, Tubman Boulevard (at 19th Street in Sinkor). A well-stocked supermarket with many imported goods of international standards. Excellent range of spices and Indian pulses. One of the only sources of whole wheat flour. Western cereals, energy drinks, and a wide range of wine are on sale. There is a small bakery offering sandwiches and Indian foods for take-away.
- 🌍 Exclusive Supermarket (Second location in town on Center St. at Carey St.). Not as large as its Sinkor cousin, but large housewares section and reasonable prices.
Drink
Bars
- 🌍 Paddy’s Sports Bar (At Mamba Point, along United Nations Dr), ☏ +231 77 555 4444. Luxury lounge with a patio offering beautiful views over the Atlantic. With an extensive wine list and good cocktails, it's a popular hangout spot for the local upper classes as well as tourists. Additionally, it has sportscasts via television.
Sleep
Budget
- 🌍 St. Teresa's Convent, Randall Street. The only hostel in the city. Beds: $10–15/night.
Mid-range
- 🌍 Corina Hotel, Tubman Blvd at 24th St (next to Sam's BBQ), ☏ +231 6538588. Former Peace Corps HQ, now hotel and conference center, on edge of Congo Town. Single rooms advertised at US$65 + tax at airport, actual price usually at least US$90. Small, dark, old rooms and minimal breakfast are not great value for money at that price. Sam's BBQ in front of the hotel serves as its main restaurant. Diners beware however. When the bill arrives, the total for ex-pats at least is often higher than indicated on the menu. Check the prices and math first or risk paying more than necessary due to an honest "mistake". The beer however, is the coldest available in Monrovia.
- 🌍 Hotel Provident, 9th St., Sinkor (beach side), ☏ +213 6-553-943. Simple, clean rooms. Popular for workshops - good catering, nice conference spaces.
- 🌍 Moko's Guest House, ☏ +231 77-515747, +231 6-515897, mokosbedandbreakfast@yahoo.com. This guesthouse is in a secure compound in Sinkhor. Prices include a generous and delicious breakfast of omelette, pancakes, or fish. Laundry services, cable television, and wireless internet are available. The staff are extremely attentive and competent. About US$80-100 per night.
Splurge
- 🌍 Mamba Point, United Nations Dr, ☏ +231 77 555 4444. Mamba Point has 55 air conditioned rooms, TV, 24 hour electricity, a bar and an international restaurant. It's near the water and several of the western embassies and UN agencies. It also has wireless internet connection in the lounge. Nice views of harbor. Starting at US$194.
- 🌍 Royal Hotel, Tubman Blvd.
- 🌍 Kendeja Resorts and Villas, ☏ +231 88 601 6397. Built by the owner of the US cable channel, Black Entertainment Television, is a luxury resort with spa and beach access. A bit outside the city and passed the SKD Stadium on the Robertsfield Hwy.
- 🌍 The Cape Hotel, United Nations Dr, ☏ +231 77-006633, info@thecapehotel.com. Posh hotel with African-inspired décor at Mambo Point, close to the US Embassy.
Go next
Careysburg is a town founded by freed slaves in 1859, about 30 minutes from Monrovia. The sleepy city and nearby townships have examples of homes and churches built in the style of the American South, set against a cool, lush landscape. The Quelu and Wulki Farms both offer accommodations with swimming pools and horseback riding.