Organize your stay Benin
Money Benin
The CFA franc (for Communauté financière africaine) is the legal tender in Benin. It is issued by the BCEAO (Central Bank of West African States), based in Abidjan. Benin is a member of the West African states of Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau and Togo. These countries all use the same currency: the CFA, so you can use the CFA franc in these eight countries. The ISO code is : XOF.
Banknotes are available in denominations of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000 FCFA; coins are available in denominations of 25, 50, 100, 200, 250 and 500 FCFA. Most transactions are carried out with small change and bills of 500 and 1,000 FCFA. Inaccessible to most Beninese, the larger denominations of 5,000 and 10,000 FCFA are difficult to use in markets, for example, and in small street restaurants (maquis). So always carry change with you, and make change whenever the opportunity arises, in hotels, supermarkets, service stations, etc
Exchange rates. The CFA franc has a fixed parity with the euro, as was previously the case with the French franc. One euro is exchanged for 655.95 FCFA. In other words, for those who still haven't lost their French franc habit, 1 FF = 100 CFA.
Budget & Tips Benin
Foreigners, especially white ones, are considered wealthy. Indeed, the simple price of a plane ticket to Benin represents a fortune for the vast majority of the population. To get an idea of the gap between income and living standards, remember that the minimum wage in Benin is 52,000 FCFA, the equivalent of barely €80.
Many things will seem very cheap compared to what you're used to. However, to travel, you may need to use expensive services: car rental, tours organized by travel agencies, luxury hotels or high-end restaurants. This can add up to a hefty bill. On the other hand, adventurers can get by just fine if they travel by bush cab or bus, eat in maquis and sleep in small hotels.
Small budget: between 15,000 FCFA and 25,000 FCFA, including accommodation in a ventilated room, bus travel and meals in small maquis.
Medium budget: between FCFA 20,000 and FCFA 60,000, including accommodation in small hotels with air-conditioned rooms, bus travel and meals in quality restaurants.
Big budget: from 60,000 FCFA upwards, and the price becomes very high if you travel by rental car: count around 75,000 FCFA per day for a 4x4 with driver outside Cotonou.
In Benin, haggling is the order of the day when it comes to buying souvenirs or staying in small hotels. Here's a tip: divide the advertised price (at least) by two, then increase it little by little until you come to an agreement with your contact.
Passport and visas Benin
A visa is mandatory for nationals of European Union countries and Canada. Since 2018, it can be applied for online (link on the consulate website). You'll need to enter your passport number, its expiry date (still valid for at least 6 months from the day of application), your e-mail and your bank details (Visa or Mastercard) for secure payment. Processing time is usually almost instantaneous, but can take up to 96 hours.
For a 1-month stay: €50 (single entry).
For a 1-month stay: €75 (multiple entries).
For a stay of 3 to 6 months: €100 (multiple entries).
Don 't forget to print it out once you've received the PDF. Don't forget to bring another copy, as you may also be asked for one on leaving the country.
Driver's license Benin
As everywhere else, you'll need to show your driving license to rent a vehicle. But in Benin, the most common and practical solution is to rent a car with a driver, especially when leaving Cotonou and, a fortiori, when heading up north. With a driver, you can take full advantage of the scenery, while chatting pleasantly with him, he may be able to give you some information and advice and, above all, in the event of a breakdown or any other problem, he will know how to take care of the necessary.
Health Benin
Remember to consult your GP before you leave, and your dentist if necessary. It's a good idea to pack a first-aid kit containing mosquito repellent, anti-diarrhoea medication, an intestinal antiseptic, a disinfectant, a preventive treatment against malaria prescribed by your doctor, sunscreen and after-sun lotion, etc.
Mandatory vaccination Benin
The yellow fever vaccine is compulsory to enter Benin, and your vaccination booklet may (theoretically) be requested on arrival. Note that, until a few years ago, a booster vaccination was required every 10 years. Today, the vaccine is valid for life.
Security Benin
Cotonou has a reputation as a safe city, but that doesn't mean there are no problems. Occasionally, tourists and Westerners fall victim to robberies, especially snatch thefts. So be careful, don't carry too much money, don't show wads of cash, and don't leave your bag ajar... Also, to avoid finding yourself in the middle of nowhere and being robbed, don't take a zem alone in the evening. Similarly, it's best not to ride behind a zem that isn't wearing a yellow top or doesn't have a visible registration number (the number is registered by the Cotonou Urban Community).
Finally, there are a number of areas to avoid in the evenings, notably the "rails" (the railway tracks) and the beach in front of the big hotels. In addition, the stretch of beach between the port and the Plakodji district is not recommended during the day, especially for single women.
Outside Cotonou, you can travel alone in peace, provided you don't drive at night, because of the frequent road accidents and, above all, the "coupeurs de route". On certain routes, they stop vehicles by blocking the road or throwing nails, and then rob passengers. On some stretches, the police may even stop traffic until the early hours of the morning, or until there are enough vehicles for them to leave in convoy.
In recent years, the north of Benin has experienced major upheavals, with several attacks in national parks and possible incursions by armed terrorist groups. The Pendjari and W parks were still closed at the time of writing, in the summer of 2024. It is very important to find out all you need to know before travelling to the north of the country, especially on the website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Time difference Benin
When it's 12pm in Paris, it's 12pm in Cotonou in winter and 11am in summer.
Spoken languages Benin
The official language is French, and this is often also the language of communication between different ethnic groups, as it is the language of instruction at school. In general, therefore, those who have not been to school and who live in disadvantaged regions or remote villages have no command of French, and speak Fon, Bariba, Dendi, Yoruba, Nago, Adja-Ewe, Ditammari..
Communication Benin
Except in the Parc de la Pendjari, where there's no reception, you shouldn't have any major network problems. Or at least not for too long!
Electricity and measurements Benin
Voltage is 220 volts and plugs are the same as in Europe. The power supply is sometimes irregular and subject to untimely load shedding. What's more, rural electrification has yet to be completed in several regions. To compensate for the absence of power or to ensure continuity of supply, hotels and even restaurants often have a generator.
Luggage Benin
In Benin, it's hot all year round. Light clothing is therefore essential. If you're attending a ceremony or being received in audience by a king, it goes without saying that you'll need decent, even well-groomed, clothes. The same applies if you're invited to someone's home. Bring a top or long-sleeved shirt and pants for the cooler evenings and to protect against mosquitoes. For the rainy season, you'll need windproof clothing. Finally, in December and January, a light sweater is useful for late evenings. Flip-flops or sandals are essential, both for comfort and because of the heat. In palaces and sacred places, visitors are often asked to take off their shoes! Take along a pair of closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes (avoid the more fragile leather), to avoid wading in the mud when it rains. A cotton loincloth or sleeping-bag sheet is very practical when the cleanliness of the beds is questionable, or for sleeping on a mat on the ground in the villages.
