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Benin

Visitor Information

Climate | Latest Travel Advice | Visas & Immigration | Money | Local Time | Getting Around | Car Hire | Public Holidays | Electrical Power | Travel Insurance

CLIMATE

South of Savalou, especially in the west, the climate is typically equatorial - hot and humid, with a long dry season from December to March, in which the dry harmattan blows in the northeasterly to southwesterly direction. The great rains fall from March to July; there is a short dry season from July to September and a short wet season from September to November. In the southwest, average rainfall is considerably lower and the dry season longer; at Grand Pope, for example, average rainfall is about 32.4 inches as compared with 40 inches further east and north, Northern Benin has a typical tropical climate, with only one wet season (May to September, with most rain in August) and a hot dry season in which the harmattan blows for three or four months. The highest midday temperatures are in January and the lowest in August, but throughout the year the range between midday and night temperatures is great, as much as 15.5C (28F) in the hot season. Although rainfall, which is highest in central Benin (53 inches), decreases as one moves northward, it remains high (40 inches) in most of northern Benin.
The best time to visit the Southern area is from December to March and July/August while visiting period for the Northern part of the country is best between December and April

Climate Chart for Cotonou

For today's weather forecast see CNN - Africa Weather Forecasts

LATEST TRAVEL ADVICE

Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London)
US State Department - Travel Warnings

VISAS & IMMIGRATION

Visa are required for all except nationals of Denmark, Germany, France, Sweden and many African countries. A 15 day visa generally requires 2 photos and is issued within 24 hours, If travelling overland it is possible to get your visa are the main Togo-Benin border crossing at Ouidah.

Visas can be extended for up to a period of three month in Cotonou from the Ministry of Interior on Ave Jean Paul II and costs approximately US$20. Three photos are required are they take up to 3 days to be issued. Applications are only accepted in the mornings up to 11:00 a.m.

Visa requirements can change at any time,so we do recommend that you contact your local representative for the latest information.

Listing of BeninTourist offices, Consulates or embassies located around the world

MONEY

Official Currency: CFA (Communauté Financière Africane) Franc=100 centimes.
Current Exchange Rate: Today's Exchange Rate

Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Diners Club are accepted, but on a limited basis.

BANKING & BUSINESS HOURS

Banks:     Monday to Friday: 0800 - 1100 and 1500 - 1700
Business:     Monday to Friday: 0800 am to 12:30 and 15:30 to 19:00     Saturday: 9:00 am to 1:00 pm
Government hours:     Monday to Friday: 0800 to 12:30 and 15:00 to 18:30

LOCAL TIME

Benin is one hour ahead of GMT

TRANSPORT & GETTING AROUND

Air:	Domestic Flights: There is a internal service offering flights between, Cotonou, Parakou, Djougu, Kandi and Natitingou and it is also possible to charter 2 seater planes
Train:	Benin has one operational railway line, linking Cotonou with Bohicon, Savé and Parakou. Upholstered seats are only available in first class, existing only on the route to Parakou. Children under the age of four travel free and between the ages of four and nine pay half price. It takes approximately 13 hours to travel from Cotonou to Parakou.
Bus:	Taxis are available in the main towns. Minibuses and bush taxis are the main form of travel throughout the country.
Road:	The Africa Guide's recommended Map Benin, Republic of (Maps Worldwide) Institut Geographique National (IGN) - Countries and Cities of the World Sheet map, Full colour, Scale 1 : 600,000 Other Maps & Atlases for Sale
Road:	The roads are in a reasonable condition and some of the main ones are sealed. Some tracks are impassable during the rainy season. Traffic drives on the right hand side. You are required to have an international driving license. There are a number of local firms offering car hire in Cotonou.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

1st January	New Year's Day
	Easter Monday
	Ascension Day
1st May	Workers Day
	Whit Monday
1st August	Independence Day
15th August	Assumption Day
26th Oct	Armed Forces Day
1st November	All Saints' Day
30th Nov	National Day
25th December	Christmas Day
Ramadan Ad-el-FITR Maouland	The dates of Muslim holidays are observed following the sightings of the moon

Electrical Power

Electric Power is 220V running at 50Hz. The Plug types used are :
Round pins with ground - view

TRAVEL INSURANCE

If you need medical care whilst in Fenin, it is best to be aware that medical providers may not accept payment through your insurance company. In these circumstances you will have to pay in full after your treatment and file a claim with your insurance company for reimbursement. Therefore you should have access to cash, either from a credit card or by wire transfer. If you need assistance contact the country's local embassy or representative.

To be compensated you must be treated by licensed medical personnel and provide your insurance company with proper documentation and receipts.

It is advisable to always ensure you have a comprehensive travel insurance policy which covers you for repatriation to your home country.

You can check out the following websites which specialise in long term travellers, adventure travellers, backpackers and workers based abroad.

	Insure and Go - UK Travellers whether it's for a one off holiday or if you travel many times over the year, if you're off backpacking before university or you're retired and looking to explore the world; if you're after winter sports cover or if it's for a business trip, a wedding abroad or a golfing weekend away, we have a policy at the right price to ensure you have the peace of mind that you are covered for the unexpected while you're away.

	- UK Travellers Offering a full range of policies, single trip, young travellers, long stay, annual cover for UK residents. Get your quote and policy on-line....

	Insure My Trip - USA travellers offer 63 different travel insurance plans from 14 different companies - no other site has such product depth or comparison features. You can compare each policy giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your travel insurance needs. .

	Downunder Insurance - UK - Australia and New Zealand Travellers offers travel insurance to travellers and residents in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Our cover ranges from basic to highly comprehensive, with affordable policies aimed at backpackers and gap-year students, but with cover available to travellers and holiday makers up to 55 years of age.