Benin / République du Bénin  – Let’s explore here

Benin is a small, tropical, agricultural country in West Africa. The country consists mostly of forest and savanna, with low mountains in the North West, and most of its population lives by its short coast. It has a very long, rich and troubled history – in particular the high number of people who were sold and trafficked into slavery. It shares land borders with Togo, Nigeria, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Its population is around 14 million (2023), around 265,000 of whom live in the capital, Porto-Novo. The highest point is Mont Sokbaro, in the west of the country, at 2,159 ft (658 m) above sea level.

What currency do they use in Benin?

In Benin they use the West African CFA franc. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is not widely accepted. Traveller’s cheques are not readily accepted. There are very few ATMs in cities and towns throughout the country.

The West African CFA franc is used in Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo.

You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.

What language do they speak in Benin?

They speak French in Benin, although only about a third of the population speak it. For is spoken by another quarter of its citizens. English is becoming more widely spoken, particularly along the border with Nigeria, and amongst the younger generations.

What time zone is Benin in?

Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.

Do I need a visa to visit Benin?

We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!

What’s it like to drive in Benin?

We’ve also created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which you might find helpful 🙂

Current travels

Our current planned route takes us from Togo along the coast towards the capital, Porto-Novo, before moving on to Nigeria. Hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂

Is wild camping legal in Benin?

Yes, wild camping is fine in Benin.

If you’ve got some awesome pictures, or some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know! 

And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!