Benin tours & holidays
Behold a blend of cultures in the birthplace of Vodun
A relatively underexplored country with deep cultural ties to the transatlantic slave trade, Benin is rich in history and tradition. In the home of the West African faith, Vodun, you can immerse yourself in the art, music, dance and spirituality of the religion and learn how the practice evolved into what we commonly know as Voodoo. Energetic ceremonies, Afro-Brazilian architecture and stilt villages atop lakes and lagoons give you a unique peek into life in this part of West Africa.
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Benin at a glance
CAPITAL CITY
Porto Novo (population 223,600)
POPULATION
13.3 million
CURRENCY
XOF
LANGUAGE
French, Fon, Yoruba, Dendi, Bariba, Ge
TIME ZONE
(GMT+01:00) West Central Africa
CALLING CODE
+229
ELECTRICITY
Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)
Learn more about Benin
Best time to visit Benin
The most pleasant months to visit Benin are between November and February, when temperatures and humidity drop.
Expect heavy rains between April and July and September to October.
Between December and March, the dry and dusty harmattan winds from the Sahara blow, and this period, can be uncomfortably hot.
Geography and environment
This relatively small slice of Africa has a beautiful coastline dotted with palm trees and beaches. Behind the coast is a network of lagoons which flood during the rainy months. Further inland, the plateau gradually rises into the highlands and the Atakora Mountains. Benin shares a border with Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso and Nigeria to the north and Togo to the west.
Top 5 Beninese moments
1. Travel by pirogue
A good chunk of Benin is under, over, or around water and when the roads disappear, there’s only one way to travel – by pirogue! These dugout canoes have serviced the Beninese for centuries. Catch a ride around a lagoon with a local!
2. Pay respects in Ouidah
The city of Ouidah was an important historical site during the transatlantic slave trade. A UNESCO memorial traces the Route of the Slaves from Ouidah to the Door of No Return. Visit the slave auction plaza, which now houses the Museum of History, for a sobering glimpse into the grim history of the slave trade in West Africa.
3. Visit a stilt village
Over 10,000 people call the waters of Ganvie home, and stilted houses sit miles away from dry land. Ganvie can only be reached by canoe, and locals travel via water to fish, visit floating markets, get to school and move between buildings.
4. Learn Vodun
Over 60% of Beninese practice Vodun, a traditional West African religion. Attend a Vodun ceremony and learn the difference between Vodun and the more commonly known Voodoo. Although the birthplace of Vodun is Benin, the faith was brought to the Americas by enslaved Africans, blending with European and Indigenous influences, evolving into Voodoo in Louisiana, Hoodoo in the Dominican Republic, Vodou in Haiti and Candomblé Jejé in Brazil.
5. Tuck into yams
They’re the favorite, number one food of the Beninese. Mashed, fried, as chips or slathered in peanut sauce - it’s not a meal until it’s been yammed.
Money matters
The local currency in Benin is the West African CFA franc. Cash is the preferred payment universally.
Many businesses and banks in West Africa may not accept US dollar notes issued before 2006 or those that are old or damaged.
The use of credit cards in Benin is somewhat limited compared to more developed regions. 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 travel FAQs
Many nationalities will need to obtain a visa in advance to travel to Benin.
Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveler. 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 traveling 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 travelers, 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 travelers 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 travelers from these regions who decline travel insurance when travelling outside their home region must sign a Travel Insurance Waiver Form, recognizing personal responsibility for emergency medical and repatriation costs should they arise.
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.
Cell 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 recommend that all travelers check with their government or national travel advisory organization for the latest information before departure. If traveling from the US, you can find helpful information from the US Department of State and the World Health Organization.
Read more about traveling with Intrepid as an American