Planning a trip to Benin, West Africa’s vibrant, safe, and culturally rich destination? Whether you’re visiting for tourism, business, or family, this guide covers everything you need to prepare when traveling from the United States to Benin in 2025.
🛂 1. Visa Requirements
✅ Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa?
Yes. All American travelers must obtain a visa before arriving in Benin.
📌 How to Get It:
- Type: eVisa (Tourist, Business)
- Where to Apply: https://evisa.gouv.bj
- Visa Options:
- 30-day single entry
- 30-day multiple entry
- 90-day multiple entry
- Processing Time: 1–3 business days
- Cost: $50–$100 (depending on the visa type)
💡 Print a copy of your eVisa and save a digital version on your phone.
✈️ 2. Flights from the USA to Benin
🛬 Main Arrival Airport:
Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO)
✈️ Common Routes (2025):
| From | Airlines | Route |
|---|---|---|
| New York (JFK) | Air France, Delta | via Paris (CDG) |
| Washington D.C. (IAD) | Brussels Airlines | via Brussels (BRU) |
| Atlanta (ATL) | Delta + Air France | via Paris |
| Houston | Turkish Airlines | via Istanbul |
| Los Angeles (LAX) | Qatar Airways or Ethiopian Airlines | via Doha or Addis Ababa |
- Flight Duration: ~16–24 hours (with layovers)
- Average Roundtrip Cost: $850–$1,200 USD
💉 3. Health Requirements
🧬 Mandatory:
- Yellow Fever Vaccine Certificate – Required for all travelers entering Benin.
💊 Recommended:
- Hepatitis A & B
- Typhoid
- Malaria prevention pills
- COVID-19 vaccination (no longer required, but advisable)
🚱 Tap water is not safe to drink – stick to bottled or filtered water.
🌦️ 4. Best Time to Visit Benin
- Best Season: November to March (dry and pleasant weather)
- Avoid: May to July and September to October (heavy rain in the south)
💵 5. Currency & Money
- Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
- Exchange Rate: $1 ≈ 600 XOF (approx.)
- Bring USD cash to exchange or use ATMs in major cities
- Major hotels accept credit cards (Visa/MasterCard)
🏨 6. Accommodation
Top Hotels in Cotonou:
- 🏨 Golden Tulip Le Diplomate
- 🏨 Novotel Cotonou Orisha
- 🏨 Benin Royal Hotel
- 🏨 Hotel Maison Rouge
- 🏨 Ibis Cotonou (budget-friendly)
Book in advance, especially during December–February (high season).
🚗 7. Getting Around
| Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| Taxis | Best for airport and city rides; prices negotiable |
| Zémidjans (motorbike taxis) | Cheap and fast for local travel; helmets recommended |
| Car rental with driver | Safer and convenient for intercity travel |
| Bus/Minivan | Affordable transport between cities like Porto-Novo, Abomey, Parakou |
🏝️ 8. Top Places to Visit in Benin
- 🛶 Ganvié – Floating village on Lake Nokoué
- 🕍 Ouidah – History of slavery & voodoo heritage
- 🏞️ Pendjari National Park – Safari with elephants, lions, and hippos
- 🏛️ Abomey – Royal Palaces and UNESCO site
- 🏖️ Cotonou – Beaches, markets, nightlife
📶 9. Internet & SIM Cards
- Buy a local SIM card from MTN or Moov at the airport
- 4G data is widely available and inexpensive
- Wi-Fi available in most hotels and cafes
🛃 10. Safety & Tips
- Benin is one of West Africa’s safest countries
- Avoid isolated areas at night
- Respect local customs and religions
- Carry small cash for local purchases
- English is not widely spoken – French is the official language
✅ U.S. Traveler Checklist
| Item | Required |
|---|---|
| Passport (6+ months validity) | ✅ |
| Benin eVisa (print + digital) | ✅ |
| Yellow Fever Certificate | ✅ |
| Vaccinations/meds | ✅ |
| Travel Insurance | ✅ Strongly advised |
| Cash (USD or XOF) | ✅ |
| Hotel & flight bookings | ✅ |
| Adapter (Type E power plug) | ✅ |
