Littoral · Benin
Where to stay in Cotonou
Cotonou is a city in Littoral, Benin, home to about 780,000 people.
- Best months
- August
- Nearest airport
- COO4 km · Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport
- Currency
- XOFWest African CFA franc
- Time zone
- Africa/Porto-Novo
- Language
- French
About
About Cotonou
Cotonou is the seat of government and largest city of Benin. The official city proper population was 679,012 in 2012; however, over two million people live in the larger urban area.
In the Fon language, the word 'cotonou' means "the mouth of the river of death". The area was settled as a fishing village during the time of the Dahomey Kingdom. The French were given permission to build a trading post, until they were given the region altogether in 1868. The city was used to defend against the British in their conquests. Cotonou grew to become the largest city in the country, right up to independence. Although the capital is located at Porto-Novo, Cotonou is still the nation's economic and population centre.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Cotonou
See
Cotonou is far from an attractive city, even accounting for the expected sprawl and poor sanitation one expects in urban West Africa. Still, there are a few things to see. For those who prefer to stroll aimlessly, the most interesting scenes will likely come in the Zongo neighborhood, the city's busy Muslim quarter centered around the huge main mosque of Cotonou, a hub of street activity. Wandering on the beach - strictly during the daytime, as it's a spot for crime at night - can also provide great views of the ocean thrashing about.
- Cotonou Cathedral
- Fondation Zinzou
- Grande Mosquée de Zongo
- Place de la Bulgarie
- Place des Martyrs
- Place de l'Amazone
- Monument Bio Guera
- Etoile Rouge
- Airplane on the beach
Do
- Institut Français
- Stade de l'Amitié
- Air de Jeux Plage Erevan
- Obama Beach
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Hotels in Cotonou
12 hotels within 25 km of the centre, as recorded in Wikidata. Each name links to its encyclopedia article where there is one.
| Hotel | Opened | From centre |
|---|---|---|
| Benin Marina | 3.1 km | |
| Golden Tulip Le Diplomate | 2.5 km | |
| hôtel Azalaï de Cotonou | 2.7 km | |
| Benin Royal Hotel | 0.7 km | |
| Guesthouse Cocotiers Cotonou | 3.1 km | |
| Home Residence Hotel | 1.9 km | |
| Hotel Acropole | 2.4 km | |
| Hotel Du Lac | 3.2 km | |
| Hotel Maison Rouge Cotonou | 3.6 km | |
| Hotel Villa Les Orchidées | 2.7 km | |
| Ibis Cotonou | 2.7 km | |
| Nobila Airport Hotel | 3.4 km |
When to go
The best time to visit Cotonou
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Cotonou are August. March is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; June is the wettest, with about 271 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Cotonou: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), about 3.7 km from the city centre in a straight line; Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS, 103 km) and Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW, 130 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
Moto taxis - locally called zemidjans or kekenos, are the most common form of transportation for the average Beninese person. These are very popular, and while not unique to Benin, are probably more highly concentrated here than anywhere in the world. Fares are negotiable, and there are no meters. The minimum fare is 100 CFA. Expect to pay about 100 CFA per kilometer. As long as you're staying within central Cotonou, the fare should not exceed 400 CFA.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
COO · Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport
LOS · Murtala Muhammed International Airport
LFW · Lomé–Tokoin International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Cotonou
Eat
In addition to what's listed here, you're likely to find innumerable street stalls and local restaurants in Cotonou. These can range from a woman on the side of the road with a vat of oil to large open-air bars that double as restaurants during the day. Street snacks to look out for include atta (bean flour fritters), doko (small fried donuts, sometimes made with mashed bananas), and igname frite (fried yam slices). Most neighborhoods will also have a blue-awning cafe bar or "Cafette Diallo", serving Nescafé and local variants on spaghetti for less than a dollar, catering to a very working-class crowd.
Drink
Cotonou does not have much nightlife, but all the establishments listed below are recommendable - if a bit expat-oriented. After all, the lion's share of drinking in Benin is done at local buvettes, outdoor bars where all you need for a good time are a few plastic tables and chairs, an oversized speaker, and a large beer: Beninoise, or for the hardy, a Guinness or Awooyo. Anyone seeking local colour should ask around and wander over to the nearest rickety watering hole for the experience. However, Cotonou is not one-dimensional, and those seeking diversity should check out the haunts listed below.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Cotonou: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Cotonou?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Cotonou are August. March is the warmest month, with average highs of 33 °C; June is the wettest, with about 271 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Cotonou?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), about 3.7 km from the city centre in a straight line; Murtala Muhammed International Airport (LOS, 103 km) and Lomé–Tokoin International Airport (LFW, 130 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Cotonou?
West African CFA franc (XOF).
Nearby
Destinations near Cotonou
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.