Travel advisory · BeninSome governments advise against travel to parts of Benin.The warnings cover only these areas: Pendjari National Park, W National Park, 50 km strip along the Burkina Faso border, Alibori department, Atacora department, Burkina Faso border zones, Djona hunting zone, Mékrou hunting zone, Niger border zones, Northeast border with Nigeria, Malanville to Nikki.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Pendjari National Park · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- W National Park · avoid all travel · Canada, Spain, France, Italy, UK, US
- 50 km strip along the Burkina Faso border · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, US
- Alibori department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, UK
- Atacora department · avoid non-essential travel · Canada, UK
- Burkina Faso border zones · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Djona hunting zone · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, UK
- Mékrou hunting zone · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, UK
- Niger border zones · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
- Northeast border with Nigeria, Malanville to Nikki · avoid non-essential travel · France, Italy
Also named by one government: 5 km strip along the Burkina Faso border (UK), 50 km strip along the Niger border (Canada), Area between W National Park and the Niger border (UK), Banikoara city and immediate surroundings (France), Nigeria border 50 km north of Nikki (Canada), North of Interstate 7 motorway (Canada), Northern and northeastern border region (US), Northern half of the country (Spain), Togo border, Atacora west of Boukoumbé–Tanguiéta axis (Canada), Togo border, northwest (France), 50 km border zone, Atakora and Alibori departments (Germany), Area between RNIE 2 (Tchaourou–Malanville) and Benin-Nigeria border (UK), Atacora hunting zone (Italy), Band from Kandi to Tchaourou, including Nikki (France), Centre of Atakora department (France), Kalalé (Spain), Kandi and areas north and east to the Burkina Faso, Niger and Nigeria borders (Italy), Nigeria border 50 km south of Nikki (Canada), Nigeria border, Borgou department (Germany), North of Boukoumbé–Natitingou–Kérou–Kandi–Segbana line (Germany), North of RNIE 7 from Banikoara to Nigerian border, excluding Kandi and Segbana (US), Pendjari hunting zone (Italy), RN 10 between Nikki and Segbana (Italy), RNIE 7 between Banikoara and Segbana (Italy), Tanguiéta and areas north and west to the Burkina Faso and Togo borders (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Jan 7, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution due to crime (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Kein Reiseverbot für das gesamte Land; Teilreisewarnung für Grenz- und Nordgebiete (regional advisories) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | No travel advisory | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée for the rest of the country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Benin
Benin is a West African country on the Gulf of Guinea, best known for the Vodun temples of Ouidah and the royal palaces of Abomey. It suits slow trips focused on history and ritual.
Benin is a small country on the Gulf of Guinea, between Togo and Nigeria. Vodun is widely practiced in the south, and it shapes temples, festivals and daily life there. In Ouidah, a coastal town, Vodun temples and the Ouidah slave route are the core of a visit: the path enslaved people were marched along to the coast. Abomey, inland, was the seat of the Dahomey kingdom. Its royal palaces, with clay-walled compounds and carved bas-reliefs, are a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ganvié, a village built on stilts on Lake Nokoué, is reached by boat.
Cotonou, the largest city, has the main international airport and works as a base. Ouidah and Ganvié are day trips from it. Abomey needs a full day or an overnight stay. The dry season, roughly November to March, is the most comfortable time to travel. Benin suits travelers who want history, ritual and markets.
Five things to know before Benin
- Apply for the e-Visa at least 7 days ahead
UK passport holders need a visa, applied for online on the official portal at least 7 days before arrival and collected at Cotonou airport. Check the rule for other passports on the portal. Benin e-Visa portal
- Carry your yellow fever certificate
UK advice says proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter Benin. The official e-Visa site carries a notice on eased border health checks, so read it, and carry your certificate anyway.
- Get onward visas before you arrive
Visas for Nigeria, Ghana and Togo cannot be obtained inside Benin, so arrange them before you start an overland West Africa trip.
- Check advice before heading to the far north
The UK advises against all travel to Pendjari and W national parks and near the Burkina Faso border, and against all but essential travel to the rest of the north. UK travel advice
- Time Ouidah for the Vodun festival
Benin's Vodun days fall on January 9 and 10, with ceremonies in Ouidah. Rooms fill early, so book ahead if you want to be there.
Benin travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The e-Visa, yellow fever proof and visas for the next country.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover and evacuation for West Africa.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMLocal SIMs and data between Cotonou and the north.
Read the guideMoney and cardsCFA francs, ATMs in Cotonou and cash for the rest.
Read the guideGetting aroundShared taxis, zemidjan motorbikes and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh33°Low24°Dry, harmattanJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 27 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, harmattan
- FebruaryRain13 rainy daysHigh33°Low25°Dry, hotFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 53 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, hot
- MarchRain20 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Hot, humidMarchRain
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, humid
- AprilRain20 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Rains startAprilRain
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 27°
- Precipitation
- 109 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Long rainsMayRain
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 188 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Long rains
- JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°WettestJuneRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 324 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°RainyJulyRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 231 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Short dry spellAugustRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 122 mm
- Rainy days
- 20
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Short rainsSeptemberRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 228 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low25°Short rainsOctoberRain
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 253 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short rains
- NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Drying outNovemberRain
Best
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 92 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drying out
- DecemberPartly cloudy10 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low25°Dry, harmattanDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 10
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Dry, harmattan
Average daily high and low in Cotonou, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Benin
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 72%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 94%
Porto-Novo
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today33°26°94%Monday: Rain. High 33°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 94%.
- Tue31°25°87%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Wed31°24°86%Wednesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Thu31°25°87%Thursday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Fri31°26°87%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sat32°25°87%Saturday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Sun32°25°76%Sunday: Drizzle. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 76%.
Updated 06:33 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XOF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- JanFête du VodounOuidah
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Benin FAQ
Do I need a visa for Benin?
UK passport holders do. Apply for the e-Visa on the official portal at least 7 days before arrival and collect it at Cotonou airport. Check the rule for other passports on the portal.
When is the Vodun festival in Benin?
Benin's Vodun days are January 9 and 10, with the main public ceremonies in Ouidah. Book rooms early for those dates.
Is Benin safe to visit?
The south, including Cotonou, Ouidah, Ganvié and Abomey, is visited without major problems. Governments advise against travel near the northern borders; read the current advice first.
What currency does Benin use?
The West African CFA franc, shared with Togo, Burkina Faso and other neighbors. It is pegged to the euro, and euros change easily.
When is the best time to visit Benin?
November to February, in the dry season, though December to February brings hazy harmattan winds. The long rains peak in May and June.