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Western Africa

BeninTravel guide

Explore Benin visa rulesCommon scams in Benin

Benin is a country in West Africa known for its royal history, Vodun traditions, wildlife and beaches. Many historic sites are linked to the former Kingdom of Dahomey or the slave trade.

Why go

  1. Palace ruins and temples of the former Kingdom of Dahomey.

  2. Vodun, also called Voodoo, traditions and religious sites.

  3. National parks with wildlife.

  4. Grand Popo ocean beach.

  5. Pottery and artisan shopping in Se.

Best time to go: November to February, when temperatures are milder and the weather is dry with low humidity.

Getting there

By air

  • The main airport is in Cotonou, with international flights from Paris, Brussels, Addis Ababa, Casablanca and Istanbul.
  • Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination and keep it easy to reach at the airport.

By land

  • There are crossings with all neighbouring countries, but the source recommends only the coastal borders with Togo and Nigeria because of conflict.
  • Some bus companies run international services into and out of Benin.
  • There are no international train services to Benin.

Customs

  • Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry. Carry your vaccination proof even though airport checks may be inconsistent.

Getting around

  • Bus

    Confort Lines and Benin-Routes serve major cities, with daily services and fixed fares. Confort Lines reservations can be made at regional offices or by calling +229 21-325815. Advance reservations cost CFA 500. Example one-way fares are CFA 7,500 between Cotonou and Natitingou and CFA 5,500 between Cotonou and Parakou. Buses use the two main paved roads running north and south. You can ask to get off along the route, with fares varying by journey.

  • Bush taxi

    These shared cars connect most cities, with less frequent services to remote places. They are more crowded and offer less comfort and safety than buses. Agree on the fare before leaving and ask other passengers what they are paying. Try to pay on arrival where possible. For trips of about three hours or less, a bush taxi can be a flexible option. You can buy all the seats, or a whole row, for more space and less waiting. The driver may need some money in advance for petrol.

  • Hired car and driver

    Hiring a driver costs more than a bush taxi. Ask a trusted local person to help negotiate the price. A three-hour hired-car trip along the main highway from the south-central region is quoted at CFA 30,000–40,000. Car travel is recommended between major cities, such as Cotonou and Porto-Novo or Abomey. Within cities, it can be unnecessary and expensive. Police roadblocks occur regularly at night. Travelling with a trusted local person or guide is recommended.

  • Driving yourself

    You need an International Driver's Permit to drive. Traffic keeps to the right. Traffic is chaotic and road rules are rarely enforced. The source advises against driving yourself. Many roads are hard-packed sand, with some paved roads in cities and between major cities.

What to see and do

  • Kingdom of Dahomey ruins and temples

    Explore the palace ruins and temples left by the former kingdom.

  • Door of No Return, Ouidah

    This memorial remembers the victims of slavery.

  • Vodun sites

    Benin is the birthplace of Vodun, which remains an important part of daily life.

  • National parks

    Benin's national parks are known for their wildlife.

  • Grand Popo

    Visit the ocean beach.

  • Se artisan market

    Browse locally made crafts and discover the town's pottery tradition.

Food and drink

  • Street food

    Vendors sell beans, rice and grilled chicken, goat and turkey. Choose food served very hot from vendors who keep dishes covered.

  • Aloko

    Fried plantains, shown in the source served with fish in Cotonou.

  • Kuli-Kuli

    A signature dish listed in the source.

  • Boulettes de Poulet avec Sauce Rouge

    Chicken meatballs with red sauce.

  • Beer at local pubs

    Local pubs, called buvettes, sell La Béninoise and other beers. Prices are about CFA 250 for a small bottle or CFA 500 for a large bottle.

  • Palm wine

    Vin de palme is an alcoholic drink made from palm-tree sap.

Money

West African CFA franc, written CFA; currency code XOF.

  • Banks are available in all major cities, and most have cash machines.
  • Mastercard and Visa can be used to withdraw cash at Ecobank, Banque Atlantique, BIBE and SGB cash machines.
  • Many businesses and banks close for several hours in the middle of the day.
  • Prices in shops, restaurants and hotels, and for bus tickets, are fixed. Many other prices can be negotiated.

Typical costs

  • Bus from Cotonou to Natitingou: CFA 7,500 one way.
  • Bus from Cotonou to Parakou: CFA 5,500 one way.
  • Local pub beer: about CFA 250 for a small bottle or CFA 500 for a large bottle.
  • Nightclub beer: around CFA 30,000 a bottle, according to the source.
  • Sodabi palm liquor: about CFA 2,000 per litre.
  • Possatome bottled spring water: about CFA 500 a bottle.

Language

  • French is the official language.
  • Fon and Yoruba are spoken in the south.
  • Bariba, Dendi and Hausa are spoken in the north.
  • More than 50 other African languages and dialects are spoken.
  • English is becoming more common.

Staying safe

  • Travel with a trusted local friend or hired guide where possible. They can help with safer areas, prices, language and food choices.
  • Women are advised to avoid travelling alone and to stay with other people where possible.
  • Do not travel alone at night. Attacks occur along beaches and near hotels, nightclubs and other venues.
  • If you are alone at night, ignore people who whistle at you.
2 common scams in Benin, and how to avoid them

Local customs

Do

  • Allow for shorter working hours during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting.
  • Expect many restaurants to stay closed until dusk during Ramadan.
  • Check local Ramadan dates, which depend on observations and can vary between countries.

Don't

  • Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours in Ramadan, even if you are not Muslim.

Staying healthy

  • Speak to a doctor who specialises in travel health, ideally about six months before your trip if possible.
  • Yellow fever vaccination is compulsory for entry. Carry proof with you.
  • Discuss polio, hepatitis A and B, measles, mumps, rubella, tetanus, rabies and routine childhood vaccinations with your doctor.
  • Choose street food served very hot and kept covered. Undercooked meat is identified as a common cause of illness.

Outdoor adventures in Benin

Benin offers wildlife parks, waterfalls and beaches along the Atlantic coast. You can also explore Lake Nokoue by boat or visit the place where the Mono River meets the ocean. November to February brings dry weather, milder temperatures and low humidity.

  • Pendjari National Park

    Wildlife

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather in Benin.

    Transport and tour arrangements are not listed.

    • Travel with a trusted local person or hired guide.

  • W National Park

    Wildlife

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather in Benin.

    Transport and tour arrangements are not listed.

    • Travel with a trusted local person or hired guide.

  • Grand-Popo Beach

    BeacheSouthern Beninnear Grand-Popo

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather.

    Visit the beachfront in Grand-Popo. Transport details are not listed.

    • The ocean current is very strong.
    • Swimming at all Grand-Popo beaches is at your own risk.

  • Lake Nokoue boat tour to Ganvie

    More to donear Cotonou

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather.

    A boat may be available from Hotel du Lac in Cotonou. Another option is to hire a boat operator at the departure point in Abomey-Calavi for Ganvie.

    • Cost: A boat from Hotel du Lac may cost around CFA 5,000.
    • Do not touch the lake water. It is contaminated by sewage.

  • Fidjrosse Beach

    BeacheSouthern Beninnear Cotonou

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather.

    The beach lies just west of Yerevan Beach Playground in Cotonou.

    • Watch out for powerful surf.
    • Do not visit after dark.

  • Chutes de Kota waterfalls

    More to donear Natitingou

    Visit the waterfalls while staying in Natitingou. The route and transport arrangements are not listed.

  • Bouche du Roy river mouth

    More to doSouthern Beninnear Grand-Popo

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather.

    Visit from the Grand-Popo area. Transport and tour arrangements are not listed.

  • Yerevan Beach Playground

    BeacheSouthern Beninnear Cotonou

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather.

    Go to Rue 230 and Boulevard de la Marina, across the beach road from the airport runway.

    • Watch out for powerful surf.
    • Do not visit after dark.

  • Obama Beach

    BeacheSouthern Beninnear Cotonou

    November to February for generally dry, milder weather.

    The beach is behind Congress Palace, near Novotel Cotonou Orisha.

    • Cost: CFA 300.
    • Watch out for strong surf.
    • Visit during daylight because beach security is a concern.

  • Whale watching

    Wildlife

    Departure points and operators are not listed.

  • Sea turtle watching

    Wildlife

    Viewing locations and tour arrangements are not listed.

Airports, metros and trains in Benin

Airports with scheduled flights

  • COOCotonou Cadjehoun International AirportCotonouMain international airport

Trains

Rail network
758 km

People and safety in Benin

Religion

No single faith is a majority. Very mixed.

  • Christian48%
  • Muslim28%
  • Folk religions18%
  • No religion6%

LGBT+ travellers

Legal

  • Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
  • Some laws protect against discrimination.

Women travellers

Ranked #138 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.

58% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.

Who can visit without a visa

Travellers from 66 of 198 countries can visit Benin easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Visa not required64
  • Visa on arrival2
  • eVisa132

Who can visit easily, by part of the world

For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.

  • Africa53 of 53 countries
  • Americas7 of 35 countries
  • Asia6 of 50 countries
  • Europe0 of 46 countries
  • Oceania0 of 14 countries

Questions

When is the best time to visit Benin?

November to February has milder temperatures, dry weather and low humidity.

Which airport should I fly into?

Cotonou has the main airport, with international flights from cities including Paris, Brussels, Addis Ababa, Casablanca and Istanbul.

Can I reserve a bus without booking online?

Yes. Confort Lines accepts advance reservations at regional offices or by phone on +229 21-325815, for CFA 500.

Can I withdraw cash with my bank card?

Mastercard and Visa can be used at cash machines operated by Ecobank, Banque Atlantique, BIBE and SGB.

Will people speak English?

English is becoming more common, but French is the official language. Many local languages are also spoken.

Should I bargain when shopping?

Many prices can be negotiated, but prices in shops, restaurants and hotels, and for bus tickets, are fixed.

Is it safe to go out alone at night?

The source advises against it. Attacks occur along beaches and near hotels, nightclubs and other venues.

What food should I try?

Options include aloko, or fried plantains, Kuli-Kuli, and chicken meatballs with red sauce.

What vaccination proof do I need to carry?

Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination and keep it readily available at the airport.

How should I behave during Ramadan?

Avoid eating or drinking in public during daylight hours. Expect shorter working hours and many restaurants to open only after dusk.

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