Benin Travel Guide

Current information

Because of the increased risk of armed attacks, we strongly advise against traveling to the nature reserve “W” until further notice. The same applies to the town of SĂ©gbana and the surrounding area in the north of the country.

Greater vigilance is advised when traveling to coastal cities on the Bay of Benin.

Country-specific safety instructions

Against the background of the UN military intervention in Mali and its support, also by the Benin government, as well as Benin’s participation in the regional fight against the Boko Haram group, it cannot currently be ruled out that terrorist groups will be active in Benin. German nationals who are currently in Benin or who plan to stay in Benin are called upon to be more vigilant.

crime The crime rate has increased significantly recently. Especially after dark, on unlit streets and in connection with longer lasting power outages, there is a risk of falling victim to attacks and thefts. Documents should be photocopied and kept separate from copies. In the event of an attack, it is urgently advised not to put up any resistance that could lead the perpetrators to uncontrolled counter-reactions. In northern Benin there are frequent robberies on rural roads, in which people are injured. The Foreign Office advises you to be particularly careful when traveling to this area and especially to avoid night drives here. Cotonou Beach and Dantokpa Market should be avoided in the early morning and evening hours.

Occasionally there are armed attacks in road traffic (so-called “carjacking”) and attacks on vehicles of all kinds – including coaches. Break-ins and armed attacks have increased.

Nocturnal overland journeys, this also applies on the Cotonou – Porto Novo route, is strongly discouraged in view of the particularly high risk of accidents and the risk of assaults.

Within Cotonous, activities on foot should be avoided after midnight. It is generally advised to always drive with the doors locked. It is generally advised to always drive with the doors locked.

Within Cotonous, activities on foot should be avoided after midnight.

Other notes

Bathing in the sea is life-threatening due to strong currents and the high surf outside of protected areas.

Adapted and careful driving style is urgently required when participating in road traffic because of the high risk of accidents.

Accidents involving motorcycle taxis (” Zemidjan “) are often associated with personal injuries due to the technical defects of the motorcycles, the lack of training and risky driving style of the drivers as well as the high traffic density. The vast majority of road fatalities in Benin are drivers and passengers of motorcycle taxis We urgently recommend wearing a protective helmet when traveling with ” Zemidjans “.

Worldwide safety notice

Please also note the external link, opens in new window, worldwide security notice.

General travel information

Porto-Novo is the nominal capital of Benin, but the economic center is the coastal city of Cotonou with around two million inhabitants. The most important ethnic and language groups are Fon, Adja, Yoruba and Bariba. French is the official language.

As a country located in Africa according to extrareference, Benin is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), which also includes Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The means of payment is the West African CFA, which is tied to the euro at a fixed rate (1 euro is currently 655.957 CFA).

The necessary consideration should be exercised when taking photos, especially in religious places of worship of the natural religion (“voodoo”) widespread in Benin. Photography of military and border installations is prohibited.

Country-specific safety instructions

Against the background of the UN military intervention in Mali and its support also by the Benin government as well as Benin’s participation in the regional fight against the Boko Haram group, it cannot currently be ruled out that terrorist groups will be active in Benin. German nationals who are currently in Benin or who plan to stay in Benin are called upon to be more vigilant.

crime The crime rate has increased significantly recently. Especially after dark, on unlit streets and in connection with longer lasting power outages, there is a risk of falling victim to attacks and thefts. Documents should be photocopied and kept separate from copies. In the event of an attack, it is urgently advised not to put up any resistance that could lead the perpetrators to uncontrolled counter-reactions. In northern Benin there are frequent robberies on rural roads, in which people are injured. The Foreign Office advises you to be particularly careful when traveling to this area and especially to avoid night drives here. Cotonou Beach and Dantokpa Market should be avoided in the early morning and evening hours.

Occasionally there are armed attacks in road traffic (so-called “carjacking”) and attacks on vehicles of all kinds – including coaches. Break-ins and armed attacks have increased.

Nocturnal overland journeys, this also applies on the Cotonou – Porto Novo route, is strongly discouraged in view of the particularly high risk of accidents and the risk of assaults.

Within Cotonous, activities on foot should be avoided after midnight. It is generally advised to always drive with the doors locked. It is generally advised to always drive with the doors locked.

Within Cotonous, activities on foot should be avoided after midnight.

Other notes

Bathing in the sea is life-threatening due to strong currents and the high surf outside of protected areas.

Adapted and careful driving style is urgently required when participating in road traffic because of the high risk of accidents.

Accidents involving motorcycle taxis (” Zemidjan “) are often associated with personal injuries due to the technical defects of the motorcycles, the lack of training and risky driving style of the drivers as well as the high traffic density. The vast majority of road fatalities in Benin are drivers and passengers of motorcycle taxis We urgently recommend wearing a protective helmet when traveling with ” Zemidjans “.

Worldwide safety notice

Please also note the external link, opens in new window, worldwide security notice.

General travel information

Porto-Novo is the nominal capital of Benin, but the economic center is the coastal city of Cotonou with around two million inhabitants. The most important ethnic and language groups are Fon, Adja, Yoruba and Bariba. French is the official language.

Benin is a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA), which also includes Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The means of payment is the West African CFA, which is tied to the euro at a fixed rate (1 euro is currently 655.957 CFA).

The necessary consideration should be exercised when taking photos, especially in religious places of worship of the natural religion (“voodoo”) widespread in Benin. Photography of military and border installations is prohibited.

Benin Travel Guide