Benin tours & holidays

Many nationalities will need to obtain a visa in advance to travel to Benin.

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

You can check the entry requirements for your nationality on your government's foreign travel advisories, consular websites or on our visa and entry requirements page.

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. It's important to understand that each country you visit may have its own specific entry requirements, and some destinations mandate travel health insurance for all foreign travellers, regardless of their nationality.

We require that at a minimum you are covered for medical expenses including emergency repatriation, but minimum coverage may differ from trip to trip, so make sure you check the Travel Insurance section in your Essential Trip Information. You will not be permitted to join the group until your leader has sighted your insurance policy number and the insurance company's 24-hour emergency contact number, and these details will be recorded on the first day of your trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is an essential part of every journey.

For travellers who reside within the European Union, Switzerland or the USA, the requirement to purchase travel insurance cannot be compulsory. However, the purchase of travel insurance is still highly recommended, and travellers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognising personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.

Read more about travel insurance

Tipping 10% is customary in most places.

While gratuities aren’t compulsory, they can make a big difference to locals employed in the tourism industry. If you are happy with the service provided, a tip is an appropriate way to thank them. 

Outside of Benin's largest city, Cotonou, internet access is fairly sparse.

Mobile phone coverage is limited outside of major cities. If you need to use your phone, you may want to use an eSIM.

ATMs are available in Cotonou and a few other urban areas but are not too common. Travellers should be prepared to carry enough cash, especially when travelling outside major cities.

Credit card use is still somewhat limited compared to the rest of the world. Even where credit cards are accepted, power outages and connectivity issues can sometimes make card payments and ATM withdrawals unreliable. Therefore, we recommend carrying sufficient cash in local currency or USD for backup.

Benin’s toilets may be basic. Be prepared for squat toilets, even in major cities.

We take the health and safety of our travellers seriously and take every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and inclusive for everyone. When you travel with us, you have access to our global support network and local on‑ground leadership, and you can rest easy knowing we have a zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.

We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure. The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

Travelling from Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to: Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to: UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to: Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to: US Department of State

Learn more about safe travels with Intrepid