 |
| Benin Travel And Vacation Guide |
{tocify} $title={Table of Contents}
Benin Travel And Vacation Guide
The coastal region of the country is beautiful and sandy and features coconut palms. It also has some major lagoons, the Atakora Mountains, and a couple of tributaries of the Niger River. French is the official language, but many of the local ethnic groups speak their own languages. Some English is spoken in the tourist areas.
It’s generally a pretty hot country with a rainy season between May and July and another between September and December. The currents and tides are pretty strong along the coast, but you can still enjoy swimming and other water sports in some areas. The best beaches are in Ouidah
and Grand Popo. There are quite a few hotels with swimming pools in Cotonou, as well as tennis, a yacht club, and boating.
There’s a rich history in Benin, as there is in all African nations, and in Abomey you’ll be able to find a wonderful museum that features the history of Abomey kingdoms as well as the Fetish Temple. If you head to the Center Artisanal, you can check out the local arts and crafts.
Over in Cotonou, there’s a market called the Dan Tokpa, that opens about every four days and there’s an interesting museum. About 10 miles west, there’s a little lake village called Ganvie, that features some houses that are built on stilts along with a fine water-market. In Ouidah, you can see the town’s ancient Portuguese fort as well as the Temple of the Sacred Python. Porto Novo features some excellent samples of pre-colonial and colonial architecture and art and the Ethnological Museum is definitely worth a visit.
 |
| Benin Travel And Vacation Guide |
If you’re arriving by plane, the main airport is in Cotonou. If you’re heading over by sea, there are ports in Porto Novo and Cotonou. There’s a train route from Parakou to Niger which is under construction. The roads between Niger and Benin are also pretty good and a great way to view the scenery. You can travel internally by plane to the major cities and there are a few train routes from Cotonou, Ouidah, Pobe, and Parakou. Mini buses and taxis are also available.
There’s a pretty good choice of hotels and restaurants in Cotonou, and French food is one of the most popular along with seafood and some local African dishes. There are also several pretty good nightclubs in Cotonou, but everywhere else usually only comes alive at night during the country’s festivals.Benin Travel
Benin isn’t a large country, but there’s plenty to do, see, and taste. The history and wildlife are very interesting and the scenery is some of the best in Africa, especially on the coast.
 |
| Benin Travel And Vacation Guide |
What is Benin known for?
The country is a poor country. Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is one of Africa's most stable democracies. ... Although the country has experienced economic growth over the past few years and is one of the largest cotton producers in Africa, it is among the poorest countries in the world.
How dangerous is Benin?
Violent crime is common in Benin, particularly in Cotonou and areas adjacent to Nigeria. Robberies, car theft, and pickpocketing also occur. Do not walk alone in the dark or in poorly lit areas. Fraud and internet fraud are common in West African countries.
Do they speak English in Benin?
English is the language of business in the country. German and Spanish schools. English is emerging as an important business language in Benin as it is the national language of Benin's regionally powerful neighbor Nigeria. Spanish is taught in many Benin secondary schools, and German is also taught.
Is Benin different from Cotonou?
Its official capital is Porto-Novo, but Cotonou is Benin's largest city, main port and de facto administrative capital. ... Benin was a French colony from the late 19th century until 1960.
Is Benin a safe place to visit?
It is a very reliable country. Benin is a great country to visit on any West African itinerary. Benin's national parks are also worth a visit for wildlife. It is also, fortunately, one of the region's most stable and safe countries for travel.
Is Benin safe at night?
Not very reliable at night. Try to travel during the daytime. Driving standards and road conditions are bad in Benin. Avoid driving in and out of town at night as roads are poorly lit. Police sometimes check vehicles at temporary barricades to improve road safety and reduce car thefts. There is no reliable public transport in Benin travel.
Do I need a visa to go to Benin?
Getting a visa to Benin takes all the fun out of traveling. A visa is required for this destination. All passengers traveling to Benin must fill out the Health declaration form within 72 hours before the flight. If you need to be vaccinated, get vaccinated.
 |
| Benin Travel And Vacation Guide |
Which is the safest country in Africa?
The answer is obvious, of course, Rwanda is arguably the safest country in Africa, and the cozy and sophisticated pops up as soon as you arrive in the capital, Kigali.
What is the main religion in Benin?
Religion is very complicated. All Religions are available. According to the 2002 census, 27.1 percent of the population is Roman Catholic, 24.4 percent Muslim, 17.3 percent Vodun, 5 percent Heavenly Christian, 3.2 percent Methodist, 7.5 percent 6% are other Christians, 6 percent are other traditional local religious groups, and 1.9 percent are other religious groups. and 6.5 percent claim no