Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALITIES: While you are traveling in another country, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places, you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In other places, driving under the influence of alcohol could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well.

Persons violating Liberian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Liberia are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Photographing military installations, air and sea ports, and important government buildings is prohibited. Visitors should not take photographs of sites or activities that may be considered sensitive, as police are liable to confiscate the camera.

If you are arrested in Liberia, you should immediately request that authorities contact the U.S. Embassy.

Infrastructure: Lodging, fuel, transportation, and telephone services are not consistently available. Services can be nonexistent or severely limited in rural areas. Neither running water nor electricity is commercially available in Liberia, except in some parts of Monrovia. Most hotels have utilities available, but not always on a 24-hour basis. There is no working landline telephone system in Liberia. Several cell phone companies provide service in Monrovia and some areas outside the capital. U.S. cellular phones do not always work in Liberia and it is advisable to rent or purchase a local cellular phone. The postal system is slow and unreliable. Commercial air courier service is available through UPS, FedEx, and DHL.

Financial Issues: The Liberian dollar is the official currency; however, the U.S. dollar is accepted as legal tender and is used alongside the Liberian dollar. While there is no limit on the amount of foreign currency that can be transported into and out of the country, sums in excess of $10,000 USD must be reported at the port of entry, and no more than $7,500 USD in foreign currency banknotes can be moved out of the country at one time. Larger sums must be transferred via bank drafts or other financial instruments. Persons without a Liberian bank account may be limited in the amount of over-the-counter cash wire transfers per month, and will likely be subject to substantial fees. ATMs are not widely available. Traveler's checks and credit cards are not regularly accepted, except at some major hotels in Monrovia. There have been some reports of financial information being compromised even at hotels where credit cards are routinely accepted. Nearly all transactions are made with cash, and Liberian dollars are preferred for smaller purchases, especially outside of Monrovia.

Swimming Hazard: Liberia has many excellent beaches along the Atlantic coastline that can be enjoyed throughout the year. However, U.S. citizens should be aware of the threat of dangerous rip currents, also known as rip tides. These strong currents can occur anywhere on the coast given the right surf conditions. The Liberia Weather Service does not provide information on where and when these tides form, and there are no lifeguards posted on beaches. Do not swim in the Atlantic if you are unfamiliar with swimming in water where very strong rip currents occur

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Consensual same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Liberia. Voluntary sodomy remains illegal as a first degree misdemeanor with penalties ranging up to one year in prison. As of November 2014, five detainees were in custody for sodomy, two of whom were detained for more than two years. For more detailed information about Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) rights in Liberia, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014. For further information on LGBT travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: There are no accommodations for individuals with disabilities in Liberia. U.S. citizens with disabilities that hinder mobility should take this into consideration before planning travel to Liberia.