Hostels in BOBO DIOULASSO, BURKINA FASO

City Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso – Home of the Jula

With a population of around 500,000, City Bobo Dioulasso in Burkina Faso is the second largest city in Burkina Faso in Africa. Only city that is larger than it in Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou, the capital city of the nations. Meaning of the name Bobo Dioulasso is “home of Jula that speaks Bobo”. Local Bobo speaking population of the country is referred to as Sia. Located at around 350 kilometres from Ouagadougou, it is economically and culturally significant for Burkina Faso.

Accommodation
Surrounded by an agricultural region known as bread basket for the entire country, Bobo offers a mixture or urban and rural environment. All types of hotels, resorts, guest house, budget hotels, and apartments are available though in a limited number. However bed and breakfast joints or the youth hostels are not found in the town.

Brief History
Tunuma and Sia proper were two large villages in Sia by the end of the 19th century that also had three small satellite villages beyond this natural boundary. Other independent villages as part of the chain were Bindogoso, Kpa, Kwirima, and Dogona. France occupied the main two villages in 1897 and created and administrative unit called Bobo Dioulasso.

During the colonial war of 1915-16, people in the small town took up arms against the French Government. In 1927 the older villages were razed and many people were shifted to nearby desert zones. A lot of renovations took place during the years 1927-39 including the Abidjan railway that reached the area in 1934. Expanding considerably after the World War II, Bobo Dioulasso became the agricultural hub of the country and became the economic capital of Burkina Faso.

Getting Around
One can reach Bobo via Air Burkina planes from Ouagadougou or via daily service trains from the capital city. However a hassle free guide won’t recommend trains as the services could be crowded and uncomfortable. Car and bus services are also available. International connections to Hamale in Ghanna and Mopti in Mali are available too.

Popular Places and Monuments
Among the popular places in Bobo-Dioulasso is the old Mosque that was building sometimes between 1880-93, Konsa house that is the ritual centre of senior house of the Zara group, and the sacred natural pond of Dafra at southern fringes that is the source of the We river. Nicely preserved colonial architecture that are called ‘neo-Sudanic’ such as the museum buildings and train station, regional museum, a zoo, and pottery market are the places of interest in Bobo-Dioulasso.

Places of Entertainment
One of the places of interest in the town is the pottery market that offers excellent pottery works for the visitors. A fine mosque, quite tree lined streets, semitropical atmosphere and small popular quarter and a lively music scene at Kibidwe add to the charm of roaming around Bobo –Dioulasso. Playing site for children and a number of Internet café around provide necessary entertainment outlet for visitors and their families. Colourful souvenirs can be found around Le Grande Marche.

Currency
Currency used in Bobo Dioulasso is CFA franc and the code is XOF. Central Bank of West African States is the authority regulating the currency. Exchange rate currently for one US dollar and one Euro respectively is 499.30 and 655.957 CFA Franc respectively. However travellers and visitors may keep track of financial news on the Internet to remain abreast of the current fluctuations in the currency exchange market.

Bobo Dioulasso group accommodation | Cheap hostels & budget hotels