Benin Travel Facts

The Basics

Country: Benin

Where is it?: Benin is in Western Africa between Nigeria and Togo.

Why do people go here?: Benin is the number one destination for voodoo ceremonies in West Africa, where it’s said to have originated.

What are the main entry points?: Air France connects with Cotonou as well as a number regional airlines. You can cross overland between most countries

Currency used: West African Franc

Country Code for Phones: 229

Religion: 42.8% Christians, 24.4% were Muslim, 17.3% practices Vodun, 6% other traditional local religious groups, 1.9% other religious groups, and 6.5% claim no religious affiliation

Population: 9 million

Ethnic Breakdown: Fon 39%, Yoruba 12%, Adja 10%, Others

Government: Multiparty Democracy

Languages: French, Fon, Yoruba

Travel Information

Major Cities: Porto-Novo, Cotonou

Attractions: Ouidah

Accommodation: Benin Hotels

Tourism Office locations and links: Benin Tourism

Tips for Visiting

Off-the-Beaten-Path: Parc National de la Pendjari

Health Issues: Malaria

When to go: May to August are the best months with the least amount of rain

Common Phrases: Hello = Bonjour, How are you? = Comment allez-vous?, Good = Bien or Bon, Yes = Oui, Okay = D’accord or OK, No = Non, Thank you = Merci, Please = S’il vous plait, Goodbye = Au revoir

Specific Events/Holidays: Martyr’s Day: January 16, Liberation Day: February 28, Labour Day: May 1, Independence Day: August 1, Republic Day: December 4

Getting Around: Minibuses and taxis are the best way to get around. There is a train line that links certain cities.

Cheapest airport to fly into: The main airport serving Benin is the Cotonou Airport.

Need more information?: Check out the Benin travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.



Place a comment
Name (required)
Email (will be not published)  (required)
Website


Now you can also comment with your Facebook Account

topright
Rate this story
 
 
topright

topright
topright

topright
Follow Us

topright

topright
Daily RSS Subscribe to the BootsnAll articles RSS feed
topright

Submit your story!

 
Most popular articles

What do canned peas have to do with travel? Jon Wick explains how a dinner conversation about peas reminded him about one of the most important lessons of traveling.

[Read more]

 

If you haven’t yet been to a proper German Christmas market, you are missing out. Fortunately you don’t even have to go to Germany, so Andy Hayes lists 7 of the best choices that might be easier to reach.

[Read more]

 

Travel always has the potential to get expensive, but it’s also true that many of the world’s best attractions are free. Cherrye Moore chooses 5 unique and free attractions here in the USA.

[Read more]

 

Art museums are fine for some people, but how much can they tell us about weird food items? Deanna Hyland takes us on a tour of 9 museums dedicated specifically to unusual eats.

[Read more]

 

Not everyone realizes that Italy has several strings of islands, and each can be quite different for the visitor. Christine Cantera gives us the highlights of the best ones that you should consider for yourself.

[Read more]