City in Littoral, Benin
Cotonou
Benin's busy economic capital: huge Dantokpa market, motorbike taxis everywhere and easy trips to Ganvié and Ouidah. Hot, chaotic and French-speaking; sights are scattered.
At a glance
- Safety3/5Take real precautionsDetails
- Monthly budget$1,200–1,890Comfortable, one person · CFA700,000–1.1MDetails
- Value for money39/100Better value than 38% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–MarWarmest: Feb, 30°CDetails
- Air quality7.7 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or filtered water; avoid street ice and unwashed salads.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: rareDetails
- Doctor's visit$17–43Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundGozemYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardMostly cashCash rules: cards work in some hotels and a few restaurants.Details
Where to stay in Cotonou
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Haie Vive | Expats: restaurants, hotels, quieter streets |
| Fidjrossè | Beach strip, guesthouses and sunset bars |
| Akpakpa | Local life, cheaper rooms, markets; busy and basic |
| Cadjehoun | Near the airport, hotels and mid-range restaurants |
Apps that work in Cotonou
Food delivery apps don't cover this area.
Ride-hailing
| App | Notes |
|---|---|
| Gozem | Cars and zem rides in Cotonou; fixed in-app prices |
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Gozem: Zem and car rides in Cotonou
- Taxis: Zemidjan drivers do not use meters; agree the price beforehand. Gozem is simpler and gives a fixed price.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Benin.
- Mostly cash Cash rules: cards work in some hotels and a few restaurants. ATMs are at banks; mobile money (MTN MoMo, Moov Money) needs a local SIM.
- Currency: Franc (XOF). US$1 ≈ CFA582.98 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs in Cotonou often limit withdrawals to 100,000–200,000 XOF; Visa is more widely accepted than Mastercard.
- Tipping: Not expected; a few hundred XOF or round-up for good service.
- Paying by phone: MTN MoMo and Moov Money are used locally but need a Benin SIM and account.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an e-visa from the official Benin portal before travel; some nationalities are exempt, so check yours.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required and may be checked on arrival.
- Passport must be valid six months beyond arrival; bring accommodation details and an onward ticket.
Emergency numbers
Police 117 · Fire 118 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, E · 220 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Buy at Cotonou airport or carrier shops with your passport. Roughly 5,000–10,000 XOF for a month of data.
More places in Benin
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.