Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Quiet little Assinie tugs at the heartstrings of overlanders, washed-up surfers and rich
weekenders from Abidjan who run their quad bikes up and down its peroxide-blonde
beach. It's actually a triumvirate of villages: Assinie village, Assinie Mafia and As-
souindé. Watch the rip tides; they can be powerful.
Sleeping & Eating
Coucoue Lodge
BUNGALOW
$$
( 07-077769;
www.coucouelodge.blogspot.com
; weekday/weekend d CFA65,000/85,000; )
Col-
ourful wooden bungalows spill out onto acres of white sand at Coucoue Lodge, a sweet
getaway spot. If lounging on the beach or in the luxury rooms doesn't cut it, you can slice
through the ocean on jet skis, rent inflatables or play a round of golf. The restaurant has a
nice wine list, and there's a nightclub onsite (from the villas, the music is drowned out by
the sound of the waves).
L'Eden
BUNGALOW
$$
( 05-780934; s/d CFA30,000/45,000; )
Laid-back L'Eden is one of Assinie's sweetest
spots, sandwiched between the beach and Assinie Mafia. A good bet for a relaxed week-
end away with friends, there's nice Ivorian fare on offer and cool, calm, clean, comfort-
able rooms.
Akwa Beach
VILLA
$$
( 08 833 374;
www.akwa-beach.com
;
d CFA45,000; )
On the beach between Assinie and
Assouindé, Akwa has sleek, comfortable rooms housed in modern whitewashed villas.
There's a restaurant serving upscale French fare and a pool area with stylish beach fur-
niture.
Getting There & Around
Coming from Grand Bassam or Abidjan, take a shared taxi to Samo (CFA2000, 45
minutes). From here you can pick up another car to Assouindé, 15 minutes away. Once
there, the rest of the area is accessible by
pirogue
(traditional canoe) or shared taxi.