Beach near Cotonou, Benin

Cotonou Travel Guide

Benin

Cotonou is a large coastal city in southern Benin, on the Gulf of Guinea, with a population of 679,012. It is one of the country’s main urban and commercial centres, and a practical base for exploring the southern part of Benin.

Most international visitors arrive through Cotonou Airport (COO), the airport serving the city. Cotonou has a coastline, but there are no notable named beaches within 40 kilometres, so beach trips are not a defining feature of a stay here.

Manual search
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Local time

679,012

Population

3,122 miles away

Google Maps

Maps

Weather in Cotonou

Thu

30°

Fri

30°

Sat

28°

Know before you go

Pays in XOF

Plug type Type C & Type E (UK adapter needed)

Emergency 112

Dial code +229

Tipping: Tipping is not as common in Benin as it is in some other countries, but it is becoming more appreciated, especially for good service. While not obligatory, a small tip can go a long way.

Best time to visit Cotonou

Jan

31°6

Feb

31°5

Mar

31°12

Apr

31°15

May

31°16

Jun

28°24

Jul

27°16

Aug

27°19

Sep

28°18

Oct

29°19

Nov

30°14

Dec

31°6

Average daily maximums with rainy days per month, from the last three years of weather history.

Things to do in Cotonou

  1. Place de l'amazone

    historic site

    3 km

  2. Institut Français du Bénin

    cultural center

    3.1 km

  3. Musée olympique du Bénin

    museum

    2.2 km

  4. Canalolympia Wologuédé

    movie theater

    2.6 km

  5. Africa Sound City

    music venue

    3.9 km

  6. LE BLACK

    dance club

    3.3 km

  7. Eglise Catholique Saint Michel

    roman catholic place of worship

    4.1 km

  8. EPF Ste Cécile

    protestant place of worship

    1.9 km

Getting there

Cotonou Airport · 2 km

Frequently asked Questions

While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.