Benin

Cotonou

city in Benin, seat of the government

27°C · this month$1,500/mo780,0003 m16 missions from 16 countries

Photo: Adoscam · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Live & travel in Cotonou

Monthly budget

$1,500/mo

Prices vs USA: 34%

Exchange rate

1 USD = 588.35 XOF

US travel advisory

Level 2

Homicides / 100k: 1.1

travel.state.gov

Internet access

34%

of people online

Air quality

39.7

PM2.5 (µg/m³)

Official languages

French

Emergency

118 · 112 · 117

Plug types

Europlug, Type E

Calling code

+229

Estimate for a remote worker (rent + living) from World Bank price levels. Capitals can be higher. · US travel advisory: Jan 6, 2026

Climate by month

Temperature °CRain mm

Best months:JuneJulyAugustSeptemberOctober

NASA POWER monthly climatology ·Humidity: 85%

Embassies & consulates in Cotonou

16 missions from 16 countries

Embassy 15

AlgeriaEmbassy of Algeria, Benin Belgium+229-21-30-18-75 BrazilRésidence Laico, Villa B16 ChinaEmbassy · Cotonou Cubaembassy of Cuba in Benin France+229 21 36 55 33 Germany+229-21-312967 Ghana+229 21300563 JapanZone Résidentielle de Cotonou sis à Djomehountin, 12ème arrondissement Moroccoembassy of Morocco in Benin NetherlandsAvenue Pape Jean Paul II, Rue 364 Niger+229 21 31 56 65 Russia+229 21-31-28-34 South AfricaRue IMP 120, 50 Maison no 5, Les Cototiers Türkiye518 Boulevard CEN - SAD (Boulevard de la Marina)

Apostolic Nunciature 1

Vatican CityApostolic Nunciature to Togo

Where to eat in Cotonou

Restaurants and cafés

Ci'gustaMid-range
Rue 449
+229 96 31 01 01 cigusta.com Map
Chez Maman BéninBudget
Rue 201A
+229 21 32 33 38 Map
La Cabane du PêcheurMid-range
Route des Pêches, Fidjrossé
+229 97 21 08 78 Map
MandarineMid-range
Route de l'Aéroport
+229 21 30 14 57 Map
Maquis du PortMid-range
Boulevard de la Marina
+229 21 31 14 15 Map
Pili-PiliMid-range
Boulevard Saint-Michel
+229 21 31 29 32 Map
ShamianaMid-range
Haie Vive
+229 97 97 09 33 Map
Bangkok TerrasseSplurge
Rue 449
+229 21 30 37 86 Map
Rousski DomSplurge
Haie Vive
+229 21 30 37 86 Map
Boucherie ZitawiBudget
Ganhi, near the Avenue Steinmetz overpass
Map
Fifadji Pork MaquisBudget
Rue 2650
Map
La Galette à SucreBudget
Route de L'Aéroport, Cotonou
Map

Bars and nightlife

Café Fondation Zinsou
Boulevard Saint-Michel
+229 96 71 42 70 fondationzinsou.org Map
Le Livingstone
Haie Vive
+229 21 30 27 58 livingstonehotelbenin.com Map
Africa Sound City
Kindonou
facebook.com Map
Le Yes Papa
Place de l'Étoile Rouge
leyespapa.blogspot.com Map
MAD Lounge
Haie Vive
+229 66 21 89 89 Map
Code Bar
Tri-Postal
+229 96 90 10 10 Map
Djunta
Fidjrossé, fin pavé
Map
Drink City
L'esplanade du Stade de l'Amitié
Map

Source and corrections: Wikivoyage guide to Cotonou · CC BY-SA 4.0

Restaurants, cafés and dishes in Benin

Frequently asked questions

Where can you eat in Cotonou?

The travel guide to Cotonou lists Ci'gusta, Chez Maman Bénin, La Cabane du Pêcheur, Mandarine, and Maquis du Port.

Is Cotonou safe for travellers?

The U.S. State Department currently rates Benin at Level 2. The national intentional-homicide rate is 1.1 per 100,000 people.

How much does it cost to live in Cotonou?

Roughly $1,500 per month for a remote worker, based on Benin price levels (34% of US prices).

What is the weather like in Cotonou in November?

In November Cotonou averages a high of 32°C, a low of 22°C and about 55 mm of rain.

Which embassies and consulates are in Cotonou?

16 diplomatic missions, including Algeria (Embassy), Belgium (Embassy), Brazil (Embassy), China (Embassy), Cuba (Embassy), France (Embassy), Germany (Embassy), and Ghana (Embassy).

Cities in Benin

3.0 / 5

Benin

Porto-Novo

$1,500/mo · 27°C

Sources: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), NASA POWER, U.S. Department of State, Wikidata (CC0), Wikimedia Commons, ExchangeRate-API.