Cotonou
Travelers come to Cotonou for the Dantokpa market, the stilt village of Ganvié on Lake Nokoué, and the working life of Benin's largest port city.
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Cotonou is Benin's largest city and its main port, on the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa. It sits beside Lake Nokoué, a lagoon that links the city to the waterways of southern Benin. The city is also the country's commercial center. Porto-Novo, the official capital, lies to the east.
Most visitors come for the markets, above all Dantokpa, one of the largest open-air markets in West Africa, and for Ganvié, a village built on stilts on the lagoon and reached by boat. Ouidah, a historic coastal town to the west, is a common day trip for its voodoo traditions and its links to the Atlantic slave trade. The city suits travelers who plan to spend their days on markets and day trips. The dry season, roughly November to February, is the most comfortable time to visit. Two or three days covers the city and its nearby day trips.
Cotonou in five
- Check your visa before you flyVisa rules for Benin vary by nationality, so check the rule for your passport before you book flights. Confirm it with the Benin embassy or consulate that covers your country.Visas and entry
- Carry CFA francs in cashCards work at some hotels and larger shops, but many small vendors and moto-taxis work in cash only. Bring small notes.Money and costs
- Agree the zemidjan fare before you rideZemidjan, the motorbike taxis, are the quickest way across Cotonou, and fares are not metered. Settle the price before you get on and ask for a helmet.Getting around
- Set up mobile data before you leave the airportStreet addresses can be hard to find. Offline maps and a map app with live location help you direct drivers. An eSIM or local SIM lets you use maps and ride apps from arrival.Phones and eSIM
- Book a base in Cadjehoun or CocotiersTraffic makes long trips across the city slow, so a base near your main plans saves hours. Choose a hotel close to where you will spend most of your days.Where to stay
Things to do in Cotonou
See all attractions in Cotonou
Need to know
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Entry
- Visa rules vary by nationality; check before you book
- Emergency
- Confirm police and ambulance numbers with your hotel before you travel
- Tipping
- Not required; small tips at restaurants are welcome
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDry, hazy
- FebruaryDry, hot
- MarchHot, dry
- AprilRains begin
- MayRainy season
- JuneRainy season
- JulyRains, short lull
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberRains return
- OctoberRains ending
- NovemberDry, pleasant
- DecemberDry, festive
Right now in Cotonou
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 81%
- Wind
- 19 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 91%
Cotonou
11:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°28°91%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 28°. Chance of rain 91%.
- Tue31°27°86%Tuesday: Rain. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 86%.
- Wed30°27°82%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Thu30°27°87%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 87%.
- Fri31°27°78%Friday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 78%.
- Sat31°27°76%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Sun31°27°83%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 83%.
Updated 09:21 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
Every year
- JanFête du VodounOuidah, a day trip
Day trips by train
- Ganviéabout 1 hour by road, then a boatA stilt village on Lake Nokoué, reached by road and then by boat.Read the guide
- Ouidahabout 1 hour by roadA historic coastal town with the Python Temple and sites linked to the slave trade.Read the guide
- Porto-Novoabout 40 min by roadThe official capital, with colonial-era buildings and a smaller, quieter centre.Read the guide
Before you go to Cotonou
Rules for Cotonou, checked
- Visa rules for Benin depend on your nationality. Check them with the Benin embassy or consulate before you book flights.
- Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate, since Benin may ask for it at arrival. Confirm the current requirement before you travel.
- Declare cash above the legal limit at customs. Check the current amount with Benin customs before you travel.
- Ask your hotel for the local police and ambulance numbers on arrival, and save them in your phone.
Plan around Cotonou
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Benin trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need a visa and how to apply in time
Read the guideGetting aroundZemidjan, taxis and routes to the day trips
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices in CFA francs
Read the guideWhere to stayWhere to base yourself in Cotonou
Read the guideCotonou FAQ
Is Cotonou worth visiting?
Yes, for the big open-air Dantokpa market, the stilt village of Ganvié and a base for day trips west and east. It is a working port city with few formal sights, so it suits travelers who like markets and daily life.
How do you get from Cotonou to Ouidah?
By road, in about 1 hour, using a taxi, a hired car or a shared minibus from the city. Agree the fare or booking before you set off, and allow time for the return trip.
How many days do you need in Cotonou?
Two days cover the market and a boat trip to Ganvié. Add a third day if you want Ouidah or Porto-Novo as well.
What is the best time to visit Cotonou?
November to February is the dry season, with the most comfortable weather for walking and day trips. The rainy seasons run from about April to July and from September to October, when roads flood more easily.
How do you get around Cotonou?
Zemidjan motorbike taxis are the most common option for short trips, and taxis cover longer distances. Agree the fare before you ride, since meters are not used.
Can you visit Ganvié from Cotonou?
Yes, as a day trip. The route combines a road journey with a boat across Lake Nokoué to the stilt village, so start early and allow most of a day.