region
Cotonou and Porto-Novo
Sleep in Cotonou; do Porto-Novo and the Ganvié stilt village as day trips with a driver, and go north only after checking your government's advice.
Not field-verified
Rules in force · 3
- Benin ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Beninese government sources; an e-visa exists for many nationalities.
- Benin ↗Governments advise against travel to parts of northern Benin near the Burkina Faso and Niger borders, including areas around the national parks; check your own government's advice.
- Benin ↗Vodun is a living religion: ask before photographing shrines and ceremonies, and follow your guide's instructions.
The Cotonou area is one base and two day trips. The south is compact, so keep the Cotonou room, hire a driver, and travel in daylight; Ouidah and Abomey are the next bases.
Where to sleep
Cotonousleep base
Market, cathedral, art space and beach in three days.
Porto-Novoday trip
The official capital; about an hour by road.
Ganviéday trip
Stilt village on Lake Nokoué; a boat from a landing outside Cotonou.
Night sequences
- 3 nights
- Cotonou 3, Ganvié half-day
- 5 nights
- Cotonou 3 + Porto-Novo day trip + Ganvié half-day
- Cotonou + Ouidah + Abomey in three days is mostly hours in the car.
Day-trips door to door
| To | From | Door-to-door p50 | Last return | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Porto-Novo | Cotonou | 90 min | unknown | Traffic on the coast road adds time; arrange a driver. |
| Ganvié | Cotonou | 90 min | unknown | Boat trips depend on the guide and lake conditions. |
Bags between cities
No luggage forwarding culture: leave the big bag at the Cotonou hotel and take a day pack.