What You Need to Know When You’re Moving to Monrovia

Relocating to Monrovia

About the City

Monrovia is the capital city of Liberia and was founded in 1822. It has a population of 1.2 million, as of the 2014 census. It is located on the Atlantic Coast at Cape Mesurado, and lies by the Mesurado River, which forms a natural harbor for the city.

English is Liberia’s official language, although the Liberian Kreyol native to the country is spoken by most of the population. There is a real mix of languages spoken across Liberia and Monrovia, although the linguistic category most popular in Monrovia would be the Mande from the Niger-Congo family of African languages.

Because Monrovia is the capital city of Liberia, it is Liberia’s most populous city. In 2014 it was home to around 30% of Liberia’s total population, and it is the center of finance, culture and government for the whole of Liberia.

The Climate in Monrovia

Monrovia is a hot country with a tropical monsoon climate. The short, dry season for Monrovia is typically between December and March, and the rest of the year Monrovia experiences heavy rains.

There is little variation in the temperature in Monrovia, and the average throughout the year is 26°C. The temperature rarely goes below 21°C or above 34°C. The hottest season tends to occur in the earlier half of the year, between January and May, while the July to September section of the year tends to experience a slightly cooler average temperature.

Monrovia has an average of 5,100 mm of rainfall and 182 days of rain per year. Continuous heavy rain and an eroding coastline mean that in Monrovia flooding is common, particularly in suburban areas, but also in the center.

Visas for Liberia

Citizens of ECOWAS countries and South Korea do not need a visa to enter Liberia. Anyone else wishing to enter Liberia requires a visa. If there is a Liberian embassy in your home country, this should be your first point of contact. The visa should be approved before entering Liberia, and the processing time is from five to seven working days.

There are two types of visas available; Single Entry valid for three months, and Multiple Journey is valid either for one or two years. US citizens can also get 3 year visa. Cost of the visas varies by your nationality and the length of your stay.

Please note that proof of vaccination against yellow fever, medical insurance for the duration of the stay, invitation letter and a recent bank statement or proof of sponsorship are requirements for most visas.

The easiest way of procuring a visa for travel to Monrovia is through a reputable visa agency.