Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Burkina Faso
Experience authentic local culture on a shoestring budget with hostels, street food, and public transport
Daily Budget: 13,500-42,000 CFA ($22-67) per day
Complete breakdown of costs for budget/backpacker travel in Burkina Faso
Accommodation
8,000-25,000 CFA ($13-40) per night
Dorm beds in basic hostels, simple guesthouses with shared bathrooms, budget hotels in Ouagadougou's city center
Food & Dining
3,000-8,000 CFA ($5-13) per day
Street food meals, local maquis (basic restaurants), market snacks, baguette sandwiches
Transportation
1,500-4,000 CFA ($2.50-6.50) per day
Shared taxis, minibuses (bush taxis), walking, occasional motorcycle taxis
Activities
1,000-5,000 CFA ($1.60-8) per day
Free markets, city walks, village visits, occasional museum entry
Currency: CFA West African Franc (XOF) - fixed to Euro at 655.957 CFA = 1 EUR
Money-Saving Tips
Eat at roadside maquis rather than hotel restaurants—typically 60-70% cheaper for local dishes like riz sauce or grilled fish
Use shared taxis and minibuses instead of private taxis—shared rides cost 500-1,000 CFA versus 3,000-8,000 CFA for private
Shop at Grande Marché in Ouagadougou rather than hotel gift shops—handicrafts typically 40-50% less expensive
Travel during rainy season (June-September) for accommodation discounts of 20-30%
Carry small CFA denominations—many vendors struggle to change 10,000 CFA notes for small purchases
Common Budget Mistakes to Avoid
Exchanging money at the airport (rates typically 10-15% worse than city banks)
Booking hotels online from abroad (often 25-40% more expensive than walk-in rates)
Taxi rides without negotiating first (drivers typically quote 2-3x fair price to foreigners)
Eating only at hotel restaurants (markup of 100-150% over local alternatives)