Major city · Benin
Ganvie
Ganvie is a half-day trip from Cotonou: go for the stilt village, not a sleepover. 35 min by boat from Abomey-Calavi, 2–3 h tour, back by lunch.
Ganvie is a stilt village on Lake Nokoué, built by the Tofinu people in the 16th–17th century to escape Fon slave raiders. It is the largest lake village in Africa and a popular day trip from Cotonou. The main activity is a pirogue tour through the canals; fishing and fish farming are the local economy. Most visitors see it in 2–3 hours and return to Cotonou.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- All year; Nov–Mar for drier weather
- avoid Apr–Jun (rainy season, possible flooding)
- Airport
- COO
- Nights
- 0
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
- 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Ganvie117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Ganvie, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African states and pegged to the euro (655.957 per euro).Benin-wide
- SIM or eSIMMTN and Moov Africa sell SIMs with passport registration at their shops.Benin-wide
- Tap waterNot safe from the tap.Benin-wide
- TippingMaquis (local restaurant): Nothing; round up.Benin-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/E. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Benin-wide
- SafetyGanvie is safe for tourists; the main risks are sunburn, dehydration and overpaying for boat tours.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; carry tissue elsewhere.Benin-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany shops close 12:30–15:00; Sunday is quiet.Many shops close 12:30 PM–3:00 PM; Sunday is quiet.Benin-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCOO Cadjehoun Airport (Cotonou) (About 30 km (19 mi) from Abomey-Calavi boat launch; 45–60 min by car).COO Cadjehoun Airport (Cotonou) (About 19 mi (30 km) from Abomey-Calavi boat launch; 45–60 min by car).
- Getting aroundPirogue (dugout canoe) hired at the boat launch or through a tour; the village is walkable on the stilt platforms but a pirogue is needed to reach…
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedBasic guesthouse room (Chez M or Expotel), a night, per roomXOF 15,000
- Mid-range bedBasic guesthouse room (Chez M or Expotel), a night, per roomXOF 20,000
- High-end bedBasic guesthouse room (Chez M or Expotel), a night, per roomXOF 30,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 10,000 · Mid XOF 15,000 · High XOF 25,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- COO Cadjehoun Airport (Cotonou) (About 30 km (19 mi) from Abomey-Calavi boat launch; 45–60 min by car)COO Cadjehoun Airport (Cotonou) (About 19 mi (30 km) from Abomey-Calavi boat launch; 45–60 min by car)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jun (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jun (16 rain days), driest Jan (3). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Ganvie: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
12 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
10 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Pirogue (dugout canoe) hired at the boat launch or through a tour; the village is walkable on the stilt platforms but a pirogue is needed to reach the outer canals.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1 h
Boat to Abomey-Calavi, then taxi or zémidjan to Cotonou
Base for Ganvie; markets, art and government.
Door to door: About 1.5 h from Ganvie
Taxi from Cotonou, about 1 h
Vodun capital and the slave route; combine with Ganvie for a full day.
Door to door: About 1.5 h from Ganvie
Taxi from Cotonou, about 1 h
Afro-Brazilian architecture and museums.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ganvie village
Two basic guesthouses with restaurant; no luxury. Better to sleep in Cotonou and day-trip.
Cotonou
Base for day trips; 30–45 min to the boat launch at Abomey-Calavi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Day trip from Cotonou
- 10,000–15,000 CFA (boat tour, lunch, tips)
Trip budget
| Basic guesthouse room (Chez M or Expotel)1 × 1 night × XOF 20,000 | XOF 20,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × XOF 15,000 | XOF 30,000 |
| Boat tour from Abomey-Calavi (2–3 h)2 × XOF 10,000 · check | XOF 20,000 |
| Lunch at a guesthouse restaurant2 × XOF 5,000 | XOF 10,000 |
| Taxi Cotonou–Abomey-Calavi round trip1 × XOF 10,000 · check | XOF 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 9,000 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 49,500 per person per day, bed included | XOF 99,000 |
check
2026 estimate in CFA; flights excluded. Day trip only.
Prices of common things
| Boat tour (2–3 h, per person)check | 10,000 CFA |
| Lunch at guesthouse restaurant | 5,000–7,000 CFA |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | 500 CFA |
| Soft drink | 500–1,000 CFA |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat tours from Abomey-Calavi cost about 10,000 CFA (2026 estimate); confirm the price and duration before boarding.
- No ATMs in Ganvie; bring cash in CFA.
- Sun exposure on the water: bring a hat, sunscreen and water.
- The village is a living community; respect residents' privacy and ask before taking photos of people.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
Pocket card
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GanvieGanvie
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
À Ganvie, s'il vous plaîtTo Ganvie, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Boat tour Abomey-Calavi → Ganvie: about 10,000 CFA per person, 35 min (check)
- Taxi Cotonou → Abomey-Calavi: 5,000–7,000 CFA, 30–45 min (check)
Say or show
- Bonjour — Hello (bohn-zhoor)
- Merci — Thank you (mair-see)
- Combien? — How much? (kohm-byen)
- C'est trop cher — Too expensive (seh tro shair)
- Où est la pirogue? — Where is the boat? (oo eh lah pee-rog)
French is the official language; Fon is widely spoken in the village.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Ganvie. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: All year; Nov–Mar for drier weather · avoid Apr–Jun (rainy season, possible flooding) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 1 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Ganvie
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