A trip to Benin will be of interest primarily to connoisseurs of African exoticism, as well as travelers interested in the history of the slave trade and European colonization periods. Some tourists call this state an ideal place to start getting to know the “real” Africa. Another interesting fact is that Benin is called the cradle of Voodoo.
Why go?
Exotic lovers who go on holiday to Benin are primarily attracted by African nature in its original form. One of the most picturesque places is Pendjari, a national park that received the status of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in the late 80s of the last century. Another reason why a tourist may be interested in Benin is the opportunity to get acquainted with the original culture and customs of West Africa, because Christianity, paganism, ancient beliefs of African tribes, and modern realities are closely intertwined here. Benin is popular among connoisseurs of ethnic African attributes and mysticism. The city of Vida on the coast of the Gulf of Guinea annually hosts the Voodoo Festival, during which followers of this religion honor local deities.
General information
- The Republic of Benin is a country in West Africa, with access to the Gulf of Guinea. The administrative capital is Porto-Novo, where the country’s parliament is located. At the same time, the government and most consular offices are located in Cotonou, the largest city in the country. The population is 12.864 million people. The territory is 112.6 thousand km².
- Language – French.
- Time zone: UTC +1. The time difference with the Russian capital is minus 2 hours.
- The national currency is the CFA franc (African franc, CFA).
- Climate and weather. The north of Benin has a tropical climate. The south has an equatorial climate. There are two distinct rainy seasons during the year, with very high humidity levels. The first lasts from March to July, the second from late September to early November. The average air temperature in January is +25°C. The average temperature in July is +32°C.
- Geography and biomes. In the northeast of the country there are endless fertile plains. In the north there is a vast plateau with savannas. The northwest of Benin is mostly covered with hills. Dense evergreen forests (African tropical jungle) grow on the Atlantic coast. The country has an extensive and fairly dense network of waterways. The largest rivers are the Oeme and the Mono. Like most countries in West Africa, Benin has a rich fauna. In particular, large areas of lions and cheetahs are observed in the savannas.
- Rules of conduct and cultural customs. In everyday life in Benin, modern and local authentic traditions are closely intertwined. Despite the fact that the Beninese are an open and friendly people, we strongly recommend avoiding any conflicts with the local population. Keep in mind that residents of Benin cities and villages are extremely reluctant to be photographed and often cover their faces with hats from the annoying lenses of foreign tourists.
Customs regulations
You can import and export foreign currencies in unlimited quantities. Large amounts of cash currency must be declared for subsequent unimpeded export. The import of any weapons, explosives, and expired food products is prohibited.
When to go
The best time to visit the country is from December to March. At this time, the country has the most favorable weather conditions for recreation. In addition, this period includes the main national and religious holidays, for which most tourists go to Benin.
Currency exchange and ATMs
It is best to enter the country with euros in cash. You can exchange US dollars and euros for CFA francs at local bank branches and specialized exchange offices. In particular, currency exchange offices are located in the arrivals hall of Cotonou International Airport. You can meet numerous “money changers” on the streets of the city, but you should definitely not deal with them for security reasons.
ATMs can be found mainly in large bank branches. Many establishments in Benin accept Visa and MasterCard bank cards.
Prices
The cost of a room in a mid-range hotel is within $100-120 per night. Lunch at a restaurant without drinks will cost about $20. A taxi ride around the city will cost around $10.
* all prices are for May 2022
Beaches
Travelers who prefer a beach holiday will be interested in the city beach of Cotonou, located a few kilometers to the east of the city. On the road to the west from Vida there is a whole series of beaches of Grand-Popo, which are known for their clean white sand and transparent water. They are deservedly considered some of the best in this part of West Africa.
What to visit
- Porto-Novo is a rather beautiful city with a rich history. One of the most visited places in the city is the Grand Marché d’Ajara market, where you can buy exotic African souvenirs relatively inexpensively. Another attraction is the ethnographic museum, where you should see a unique collection of cult relics of the Yoruba people.
- Tourists are attracted to Cotonou by the local botanical garden and the National Museum. In addition, the city is known for its large selection of various restaurants, as well as a vibrant nightlife, which takes place mainly in Jonka.
- Abomey is the capital of the ancient kingdom of Dahomey. It is home to the Royal Palace of the Fon. Most of the buildings in the city were destroyed in a massive fire at the end of the 19th century. However, the surviving buildings are quite an impressive sight for a Western tourist. The museum located inside the palace of the Fon contains an extensive exhibition of voodoo cult objects, as well as relics from the period of Portuguese colonization. Keep in mind that any photography is strictly prohibited inside the museum.
- Ganvie is another colorful town, the entire population of which still lives in bamboo huts, spread out for many kilometers along Lake Nokoué and standing on stilts. All buildings in the town are located at a level of two meters above the water.
What to do
Little Benin is very rich in attractions. However, most of them can be found outside of Cotonou. A trip around Benin is primarily excursions to historical sites, long walks through palm groves and a relaxing holiday on golden beaches.
Kitchen
Despite the fact that Benin was under the colonial rule of France for a long time, the influence of French cuisine is practically not visible today. The national cuisine is dominated by chicken, fish, and plant products – in particular, yams, corn, rice and beans, from which most dishes are prepared today. In almost any populated area you can find excellent fresh fruits. The most common are citrus fruits, bananas, pineapples, kiwi. The vast majority of international cuisine establishments are concentrated in Cotonou.
Souvenirs
The most popular souvenirs that can be found in local markets are tom-toms, handmade copper and nickel jewelry, cotton clothing and accessories (which are bright and colorful here in the African style). You can buy souvenir ritual voodoo paraphernalia in almost any corner of the country.
Transport
It is better to move around the city and between settlements by taxi or motorcycle taxi. Foreigners are not recommended to travel by public intercity buses and minibuses. There is practically no railway transport in the country. Many hotels and private companies in large cities offer car rental services (the price depends on both the car itself and the rental period).
Safety
The main threat to foreign tourists is street gangs. For this reason, it is highly recommended not to walk the streets at night. We also do not recommend traveling independently through rural areas, especially on country roads located in the northern regions of the country.
Medicine
While on holiday, strictly observe the rules of personal hygiene. It is not recommended to eat food bought from street vendors. Foreigners who need urgent medical care can contact both public and private clinics. To call an ambulance, call the central hospital of Cotonou or any of the clinics. In the center of Cotonou on Avenue Saint-Michel there is a large 24-hour pharmacy.
Connection
There are two national operators providing services in the country. The cost of a call to Russia is up to $0.5 per minute. Many large establishments in Cotonou have Wi-Fi.
Useful information
- The voltage in the power grid is 220V. Please note that the country is constantly experiencing power outages, and it is better to use a stabilizer to connect household appliances.
- The vast majority of shops, as well as public institutions, work with a long daytime break, which can be up to 2-2.5 hours. On Sunday, many shops are closed.
- It is customary to leave tips in establishments, the average size of which is 10%.
Local laws
Taking photographs near government facilities such as military installations or airports is strictly prohibited.