Major city · Benin
Grand-Popo
Spend 2 days in Grand-Popo: one day for beach and nearby villages, second day for river‑mono tour and mangroves.
Grand-Popo offers a beach stretch, river‑mono villages and mangrove tours. Two days let you relax on the sand, visit Hounkounnou, Bouche du Roy and take a pirogue or motorboat circuit.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–Mar
- avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- COO
- Nights
- 2
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 Grand-Popo117 ▾
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 Grand-Popo, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists; stay in designated beach areas, avoid swimming alone in strong currents, and keep valuables secure.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and restaurants; carry tissue elsewhere.Benin-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire and ambulance (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 Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport.
- Getting aroundWalk along the main road for restaurants and beach.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealStreet food (fish, rice, beans)100–200 CFA
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi (single person, short ride)≈200 CFA
- Budget bedBudget hostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personXOF 5,000
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomXOF 15,000
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double, a night, per roomXOF 25,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 5,000 · Mid XOF 8,000 · High XOF 12,000
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 Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Grand-Popo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
9 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
13 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 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
Walk along the main road for restaurants and beach. Hire a zemidjan (motorbike taxi) for short hops (≈200 CFA). For river sites, book a pirogue or motorboat tour (≈10,000 CFA per person, longer circuit ≥40,000 CFA).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bouche du Roy (Mono River mouth)
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Motorboat from Grand‑Popo harbour, about 15 min
River‑mono meeting point, good for photos
Hounkounnou Village
goDoor to door: ≈30 min total
Pirogue from harbour, 10 min
Traditional village, guide‑led
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.
Lion Bar
Rooms from 5,000 CFA, camping 2,500 CFA
Hotel Maison Blanche
Rooms from 10,000 CFA, beach view
Awale Plage
Rooms 14,000–22,000 CFA, pool
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
- Budget
- ≈5,000–8,000 CFA excl. bed
- Mid
- ≈8,000–12,000 CFA excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hostel or guesthouse bed2 × 3 nights × XOF 7,000 | XOF 42,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 3 days × XOF 8,000 | XOF 48,000 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 15,000 per person per day, bed included | XOF 90,000 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Street food (fish, rice, beans) | 100–200 CFA |
| Meal at Chez Desir | 500 CFA |
| Meal at Gloire de Dieu | from 700 CFA |
| Taxi (single person, short ride) | ≈200 CFA |
| Pirogue circuit | ≈10,000 CFA per person |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ocean currents are strong; swim at your own risk.
- Negotiate taxi fares in advance; shared rides cost less.
- Guides are not government‑certified; use hotel‑recommended ones.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire and ambulance
- 118
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Grand-PopoGrand-Popo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire and ambulance118
Embassy
My embassy: —
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 Grand-Popo. 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: Nov–Mar · avoid Apr–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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 Grand-Popo
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