Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
All Saints' Day
1 November
Christmas
25 December
SAFE TRAVEL
Cotonou has its fair share of traffic accidents and muggings, so be careful. In Ouidah,
avoid the roads to and along the coast at any time of day.
Children, and sometimes also adults, will shout '
Yovo! Yovo!'
(meaning 'white per-
son') ad nauseam. It's normally harmless, but tiresome.
The beaches along the coast are not safe for swimming because of strong currents. Stick
to hotel swimming pools or the lagoon.
TELEPHONE
Benin's country code is 229.
Phone numbers have eight digits. Landline numbers start with 21, mobile numbers with 9
or 6.
Mobile-phone coverage is excellent and fairly cheap. Local networks include Moov and
MTN.
Depending on which mobile network you use at home, your phone may or may not work
while in Cotonou - ask your mobile network provider. You can also bring your phone and
buy a local SIM card (CFA1000). Top-up vouchers are readily available.
VISAS
Visas are required for all travellers except nationals of the Economic Community of West
African States (Ecowas).
Local authorities have had a couple of U-turns on visa policies in recent years. At the
time of writing, visas were not obtainable at the border or upon arrival at the airport. Be
sure to get your visa from a Beninese embassy before travelling. Allow €50 for a one-
month single-entry visa.
Note that at the time of research the Visa des Pays de l'Entente was not available in
Benin.
Visas for Onward Travel
The following embassies deliver visas:
Burkina Faso
No diplomatic representation in Benin - contact the French consulate.
Niger
The embassy in Cotonou issues 30-day visas. They cost CFA22,500 and you'll
need two photos. Allow three to four working days. You cannot get visas at the border.
Nigeria
The Nigerian embassy only issues transit visas to travellers with a Nigerian em-
bassy in their home country (there is no need to contact the embassy in your home country
