Planning your first trip to Benin? I’ve been through the process myself and have helped dozens of guests prepare their arrival. Here’s everything you need to know, step by step, to make your trip smooth from departure to landing.
Flights: Getting to Cotonou
Cotonou’s Cadjehoun International Airport (COO) is the main entry point. From Europe, your best options are:
- Paris (CDG/ORY): Direct flights with Air France and Corsair. Flight time: approximately 6 hours. This is the most frequent and often cheapest route.
- Brussels (BRU): Direct flights with Brussels Airlines. About 6.5 hours.
- Other European cities: Via Paris, Brussels, or Casablanca (Royal Air Maroc) with a connection.
Price range: 400 to 800 euros round-trip from Paris, depending on season and how far ahead you book. The cheapest fares are usually found 2 to 3 months in advance.
Tip: The airport is located in the city center, which is unusual and convenient. Fidjrosse is only about 20 minutes away by car.
Visa: The e-Visa System
Most nationalities need a visa to enter Benin. The good news: it’s entirely online.
How to apply:
- Go to evisa.gouv.bj
- Fill out the application form
- Upload a passport photo and your passport scan
- Pay online (approximately 50 euros for a 30-day single-entry visa)
- Receive your e-visa by email within 48 to 72 hours
Important:
- Apply at least 72 hours before departure
- Print the e-visa — you’ll need the paper version at immigration
- Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay
- ECOWAS nationals don’t need a visa
The process is straightforward. I’ve never had a guest report issues with the e-visa system.
Vaccinations and Health
Mandatory
- Yellow fever: The certificate is checked at arrival. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before departure. The vaccine is valid for life.
Recommended
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Meningitis (especially during dry season, December to March)
- Tetanus/diphtheria/polio (up to date)
Malaria
Benin is a malaria zone. Consult your doctor about antimalarial prophylaxis (Malarone or doxycycline are common choices). In Cotonou, the risk is lower than in rural areas, but it exists. Use mosquito repellent in the evenings.
Tip: At Maison Ayaba, every room has AC, which helps significantly — mosquitoes are far less active in air-conditioned spaces.
Currency and Money
The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the currency in Benin. It’s pegged to the euro at a fixed rate:
1 euro = 655.957 FCFA
This fixed rate makes budgeting easy — no exchange rate surprises.
Practical tips:
- Bring euros and exchange them at banks or exchange offices in Cotonou (better rates than airport)
- ATMs are available in the city (Ecobank, BOA, SGBB). Visa cards work; Mastercard acceptance is growing
- Mobile money (MTN MoMo, Moov Money) is widely used by locals
- Cash is king for markets, zems, and small restaurants
- Larger restaurants and hotels accept credit cards
Budget roughly 15,000 to 30,000 FCFA per day (23 to 46 euros) for food and transport, depending on your style.
SIM Card and Connectivity
Buy a local SIM card at the airport or at any MTN or Moov shop:
- MTN has the best data coverage in Cotonou
- A SIM card costs about 500 FCFA (less than 1 euro)
- A 10 GB data plan is roughly 3,000 to 5,000 FCFA (5 to 8 euros)
- You’ll need your passport to register the SIM
This gives you data for Gozem, maps, WhatsApp, and internet access on the go. At the apartment, you’ll have high-speed WiFi and Ethernet, but mobile data is essential for when you’re out.
What to Pack
Essentials:
- Light, breathable clothing (cotton and linen)
- Sunscreen and sunglasses
- Mosquito repellent (DEET-based)
- A light rain jacket (rainy season: April to July)
- Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
- Power adapter (Benin uses Type C and E plugs, same as France)
- Your yellow fever certificate (printed)
- Your e-visa (printed)
Nice to have:
- A small daypack for market visits
- A reusable water bottle
- A hat or cap for sun protection
- Photocopies of your passport (keep separately from the original)
Your First Hours in Cotonou
Here’s what a smooth arrival looks like:
- Land at Cadjehoun airport — immigration is usually quick (15-30 minutes)
- Show your yellow fever certificate and e-visa
- Collect your luggage and exit the terminal
- Your host’s driver picks you up — or open the Gozem app
- 20 minutes later, you’re at the apartment in Fidjrosse
- Welcome basket waiting for you — water, fruit, local snacks
- AC already running — the apartment is cool when you arrive
That’s the experience we aim for at Maison Ayaba: you step off the plane and into comfort, without the usual first-day stress of figuring things out in a new country.
