Liberia Travel Scams

In Liberia, taxi drivers in urban areas often rig meters to spin faster or claim they're broken, demanding flat rates in Liberian Dollars (LRD). For a typical 5km ride from central Monrovia to the airport, they might charge 500-800 LRD instead of the standard 200-300 LRD, exploiting tourists unfamiliar with local fares by feigning friendliness or citing 'traffic delays'.

Street money changers in Liberian markets or near borders swap genuine currency for counterfeit notes or shortchange tourists by miscounting bills, often near Waterside Market in Monrovia. They might offer rates like 150 LRD per USD but pocket extra by claiming 'bank errors', preying on travelers exchanging money outside banks.

In crowded Liberian streets or markets, scammers create distractions like spilling food or pointing out 'problems' with your bag to pickpocket wallets or phones, commonly in Monrovia's downtown areas near the Executive Mansion. This targets tourists carrying visible cash or electronics, with losses averaging 5,000-10,000 LRD.

At Waterside Market in Monrovia, vendors inflate prices for tourists, quoting 1,000 LRD for a souvenir like a traditional Liberian mask that locals buy for 300 LRD, using aggressive haggling or claiming items are 'rare exports' to pressure quick sales.

In Monrovia, individuals posing as police or officials stop tourists near landmarks like Providence Island, demanding bribes of 500-1,000 LRD for fabricated offenses like 'improper documentation', exploiting the area's high foot traffic.

In Robertsport, unlicensed surf instructors charge inflated fees for lessons, quoting 2,000 LRD for a one-hour session that should cost 1,000 LRD, then provide subpar equipment or shorten the time, targeting tourists at the main beach breaks.

In Buchanan, fake guides approach tourists near the port, charging 1,500 LRD for 'essential' tours of the harbor or nearby beaches, then abandon them or demand more money, capitalizing on the area's industrial traffic.