Meet Cotonou | Meet the most beautiful sunset on the Gulf of Guinea
🌟Highlights: Cotonou has a profound historical heritage. It was once an important port for the slave trade and has left many historical relics related to the slave trade, such as Ouidah's Gate of No Return and the Gate of Return. The unique water life experience includes the Gangwe Floating Village, which is the largest floating settlement in Africa. People build houses, live and work on the water, forming a unique water lifestyle.
❤Recommendation reason: Experiencing exotic customs and allowing tourists to experience exotic customs that are completely different from their own living environment, and feel the unique cultural charm of Africa. For tourists who love history, the historical relics here can give people an in-depth understanding of the history of the slave trade and the struggle and development of the Benin people. The beautiful beaches and tranquil lagoons provide visitors with a great place to relax, forget their worries and enjoy a leisurely time.
✅Gonve Floating Village: Located on Lake Nokoue, 8 kilometers northwest of Cotonou, it is one of the most distinctive attractions in Benin. The village was formed in the early 17th century. Most of the houses here are stilted, pointed-roof huts scattered over the lake. There are also floating markets, floating schools, etc. Residents make a living by fishing and lead a primitive and simple life.
✅ Statue of the Female Warrior: Located in Amazon Square, it is a giant statue built to commemorate the beautiful female warriors of Dahomey in Benin's history. It shows the powerful female power. There is also a graffiti wall nearby that you can visit along the way.
✅Cotonou Lagoon: Located between two bridges, it is where local fishermen fish. Every day when the sun sets, the scenery is beautiful and you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of lakes and mountains and the scene of fishermen working.
✅Aircraft remains and shipwreck sites: On the seashore of Cotonou, the abandoned aircraft has now become a unique exhibition hall. The fuselage is full of traces of time, and there are also shipwreck sites around it, which is suitable for taking photos and checking in, and you can take industrial-style blockbusters.
✅Ouidah Ancient City: 40 kilometers away from Cotonou, it is the largest slave export port on the Gulf of Guinea. It has the Gate of No Return built in 1995, with bronze sculptures of slaves with their hands tied on both sides, and the Gate of Return symbolizing the return of black slaves to their homeland.
🚉Transportation strategies: The following
Aviation: Cotonou International Airport is Benin's main aviation hub, capable of accommodating large aircraft such as Boeing 747 and Airbus. Currently, several airlines, including Air France, Brussels Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines, operate here, with multiple flights per week between Paris, Brussels and other parts of Africa. However, there are no direct flights from China to Benin, and flights usually require transfers in France, Belgium, Ethiopia or Türkiye. The total flight time plus transfer time may be as long as about 20 hours. After arriving at the airport, you can choose to take a taxi to the city, which takes about 20 - 30 minutes and costs about 3000 - 5000 West African francs. There are also minibuses operating, which are relatively cheap, about 500 - 1000 West African francs per person, but you may need to transfer at the intermediate station.
Land: The total length of Benin's highways is about 15,700 kilometers, of which national highways are about 6,076 kilometers. All vehicles drive on the right side. If you are driving from neighboring countries such as Nigeria and Togo, you need to understand the border clearance policies and road conditions in advance. Some sections of the road may be rugged, so you need to be careful when driving. Motorbike taxis are very popular in Cotonou and are inexpensive. Negotiate the price with the driver before traveling. Usually, short-distance travel within the city costs between 300 and 1,000 CFA francs. Taxis have been introduced since July 2017 and are available in major cities. Before getting on the taxi, confirm whether the fare is metered. If not, negotiate the price in advance. In addition, there are local vans as public transportation. Although the vehicles are relatively old, the prices are affordable, basically between 100-300 West African francs.
Waterway: The Port of Cotonou is an important regional transshipment port with a water depth of 9 to 15 meters, which can accommodate 10,000-ton ships. If you want to go to attractions such as Gangvi Floating Village, you can take a boat at the city pier. For example, the boat trip to Gangvi Floating Village takes about 20-30 minutes. The ticket price varies depending on the type of boat and service.
📝Note tips: The following travel tips are recommended for reference
Visa and entry: Starting from September 2023, Benin will implement visa-free entry for ordinary Chinese passports. Visitors can stay for 30 days on a single entry. It is smooth entry and no fees are charged. However, you need to bring a passport with a validity period of more than 6 months and prepare the small yellow book (International Vaccination Certificate) for border inspection.
Language communication: The official language of Benin is French, and the local English penetration rate is low. It is best to bring a translator when traveling, or learn some basic French daily expressions in advance, such as greetings, asking for directions, ordering food, etc., to facilitate communication with local people; if you use taxi apps such as gozem, because it involves online communication, not knowing French may cause inconvenience.
Currency exchange: The legal currency of Benin is the West African Franc (XOF). There are many currency exchange points in Cotonou city. The exchange rate is usually more favorable than the official one. You can compare several points before exchanging. Some merchants also accept US dollars, but the exchange rate may not be very cost-effective. It is recommended to exchange local currency for daily consumption.
Food hygiene: When enjoying the local food, choose clean and hygienic restaurants, avoid eating raw and cold food from roadside stalls, and drink bottled water to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort. Benin cuisine combines African and French flavors. Dishes like Aceh curry rice and Banda Aceh fried chicken are worth a try.
Safety issues: Generally speaking, Benin has a stable political situation. However, in crowded places such as markets, you should still take care to keep your personal belongings safe from thieves. Female tourists should try to avoid going out alone at night. In addition, the traffic conditions here are relatively chaotic, so be sure to pay attention to traffic safety when traveling.
Religion and Culture: Benin is a multi-religious country, with about 11.6% of the residents believing in traditional religions, 48.5% believing in Christianity (mainly Catholicism), and 27.7% believing in Islam. When interacting with local Muslims, be sure to respect their living habits. In religious places or formal occasions, dress appropriately and avoid wearing overly revealing clothes. When traveling in rural areas around cities, do not take photos without the consent of the locals.
Sun protection and mosquito prevention: Benin is located in the tropics, with strong sunlight and high ultraviolet radiation. Be sure to bring high-factor sunscreen, sunglasses, sun hats and other sun protection products; at the same time, there are many mosquitoes, so remember to bring mosquito repellent, mosquito coils and other mosquito repellent items to prevent diseases caused by mosquito bites.