BENIN TRAVEL GUIDE
Benin maybe just a slice of land in West Africa but it is the ‘cradle of voodoo’, the biggest centre of the slave trade (ages ago) and the only country in this part of the world to have embraced Marxism. Benin isn’t all about the supernatural though; it’s also a country of friendly people, quaint villages on stilts and exotic local handicrafts in colourful bazaars. Take your time in Benin and the secrets will gradually unfurl to give you a mystical holiday quite unlike any other place on this planet. And that too without having to worry about political skirmishes or ambushes.
RELATED POSTS
WEWILLNOMAD
WEWILLNOMAD
WEWILLNOMAD
TRAVEL ADVISORY
LOCATION MAP
Africa - West
REGION:
COUNTRY MAP
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO VISIT
BENIN?
<<VISA RESULT>>
<< Visa Details >>
FIND YOUR
WHERE-TO-NEXT
DESTINATION
Advanced real-time filter by visa, region, value, weather & activity
For the latest requirements and details click
BENIN QUICK FACTS
Capital: Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF)
Area: total: 112,620 km2
Population: 11,49 million (2018)
Language: French (official), Fon, Yoruba, other tribal languages
Religion: Indigenous beliefs (Animism & Voodoo) 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%
Electricity: 220V
Search for flights to
BENIN
BENIN PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
10 January, Traditional Religions Day (Vodoun Day)
1 May, Labor Day
1 August, Independence Day
15 August, Assumption
1 November, All Saints Day
Also, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whit Monday, Maulid an-Nabi, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
FESTIVALS IN BENIN
BEST TIME TO VISIT BENIN
BENIN WEATHER SYNOPSIS
Northern Benin has a dry season and a wet season that is controlled by the movement of the Inter-tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ). The rainy season lasts from May-November when the ITCZ is in its northern position. The dry season is from December-March when the ‘Harmattan’ winds blow in from the northeast bringing air from the Sahara Desert. Northern and central Benin receive between 200-300 mm of rainfall per month during the height of the rainy season (July-September). Southern Benin experiences two wet seasons differing in length and coinciding with the northern and southern passages of the ITCZ across the region. The longer rainy season occurs from March-July and the shorter one from September-November. Southern Benin experiences great variability in its seasonal rainfall from year to year and decade to decade.
BENIN TOURIST SEASONS
Most destinations have different times of the year when they’re more or less popular with tourists.
Peak Season
Shoulder Season
Off Peak Season
JANUARY
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
FEBRUARY
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
MARCH
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
APRIL
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
MAY
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
JUNE
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
JULY
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
AUGUST
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
SEPTEMBER
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
OCTOBER
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
NOVEMBER
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
DECEMBER
HOT
COLD
MODERATE
DRY
WET
HOT MONTHS:
.
MODERATE MONTHS:
.
COLD MONTHS:
.
WET MONTHS:
.
DRY MONTHS:
.
SPORT & ACTIVITIES
SNOW SPORT IN BENIN
HIKING & CYCLING IN BENIN
BEACH OPTIONS IN BENIN
SURFING IN BENIN
KITESURF IN BENIN
Kitesurfing spot details and weather
HEALTH RISKS IN BENIN
Be aware of possible health risks in
Benin
Yellow fever - The yellow fever virus is found in tropical and subtropical areas of Africa and South America. The virus is spread to people by the bite of an infected mosquito. There is no medicine to treat or cure an infection. To prevent getting sick from yellow fever, use insect repellent, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and get vaccinated.
Zika Virus - Zika is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. Zika can be passed from a pregnant woman to her fetus. Infection during pregnancy can cause certain birth defects. There is no vaccine or medicine for Zika.
Malaria - Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that commonly infects a certain type of mosquito which feeds on humans. People who get malaria are typically very sick with high fevers, shaking chills, and flu-like illness. Although malaria can be a deadly disease, illness and death from malaria can usually be prevented.
Dengue - Dengue is spread mostly by the bite of an infected Aedes species mosquito. These mosquitoes bite during the day and night. About one in four people infected with dengue will get sick. For people who get sick with dengue, symptoms can be mild or severe.
For the latest travel health notices and recommended precautions click
BENIN TRAVEL TIPS
SIGHTS & HIGHLIGHTS OF BENIN
Explore the legendary craftsmanship of Benin at the Centre for Artistic Promotion in Cotonou or go fishing at Grand Popo. Take a trip to Abomey for an interesting lesson in history, or visit Ouidah for some voodoo experience. Visit the national parks to get a glimpse of popular wildlife of Africa or head to Club de Benin for a game of tennis or Yacht Club for sailing.
The beaches at Grand Popo and Ouidah are good for just relaxing, sunbathing and water sports. Savour the mouth-watering seafood that is readily available in Benin or partake in the popular Voodoo festival known as the National Voodoo Day!
WHAT TO PACK FOR BENIN
WHAT TO EAT IN BENIN
LGBTQ IN BENIN
WHERE TO STAY IN BENIN
CHOOSE NEXT DESTINATION
RELATED POSTS
WEWILLNOMAD
WEWILLNOMAD
WEWILLNOMAD
PLAN YOUR TRIP
VISA
Let iVisa take the pain out of travel planning and assist you with Electronic visas, Travel Authorizations, Visas on Arrival, and even Paper Visas. They can also help with Health Declarations, Embassy Registrations and even photos. If you're from the US, they provide a One-Stop Shop to renew your Passport securely and error-free.
FLIGHTS
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner or Momondo. These are our favorite flight search engines search they index other travel websites and airlines across the globe to easily find you the best deal.
ACCOMMODATION
Hostelworld is the number one resource for researching and booking hostels. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as in our experience they consistently return the cheapest rates.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Travel insurance will protect you against unexoected illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. We never travel without travel insurance and we have using World Nomads for a number of years. Our favorite companies that offer the best options and value are:
-
SafetyWing Nomad Insurance (Global Travel Medical)
Need more to book your trip?
Check our complete resource page for the all the best companies to use when you travel. You will only find the companies we use ourselves.
Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you end up making a purchase. We recommend only products and companies we believe in and use ourselves and the income goes to keeping the site ad free.