CITY GUIDE: COTONOU, REPUBLIC OF BENIN (PHOTOS)

Cotonou is the largest city in The Republic of Benin (La Republique du Benin) and the country's primary port of entry for visitors. The city is located on the country's coastline, in the south . Here is the Guide on living in Cotonou. Enjoy!

Understanding The City of Cotonou

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.

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.

It also attracts many government institutions and embassies, regardless of Porto-Novo's status, leading to the city being referred as Benin's de-facto capital.

Quick facts:

Official Languages: French (english, yoruba and other local languages are spoken in the streets)

Currency: West African Franc Cfa (FCFA)

Cotonou in words: Cool, Petitte, Unbelievable, Vibrant, Historical, Natural and Cultural.

GETTING IN

By plane

Cadjehoun Airport is located just west of city centre, and is the primary airport serving the city and the country.

It has scheduled services from other African capitals, along with connections to Brussels and Paris.

Short-haul flights from nearby Lagos and Lomé are a popular way of reaching Benin.

BOOK FLIGHTS TO COTONOU HERE

By bus

Buses from nearby capitals Accra , Lagos and Lome are plentiful. Amongst others,
ABC Transport offers daily services.

ABC Transport to cotonou

Young Shall Grow transport

Chisco transport

Bus Terminus

Utb transport from abidjan

There are also some local bus services from Cotonou to every city in the country.

Bus fares from:

Abidjan to Cotonou - 30,000 CFA (20hours)
Accra to Cotonou - 75-80 ¢ cedis (10 hours)
Lomé to Cotonou - 10,000 CFA (5 hours)
Lagos to Cotonou - 4,000 NAIRA (6 hours)

Convert Currency

Note: the time is approximately calculated and the fares are estimated.

By train

There is a train route that goes halfway up the country, from Cotonou to Parakou, run by L’Organisation Commune Benin-Niger des Chemins de Fer et Transports (2132 2206).

While the train takes longer than a bush taxi, it's a much more relaxing way of traveling. First class tickets are only slightly more expensive than second class ones and are worth the extra expenditure.

The train leaves Cotonou three times a week (Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday) at 8AM precisely, arriving at Parakou about 6:30PM, and returns the next day, leaving at 8AM from the Parakou train station, arriving 6:30PM in Cotonou. First class costs CFA 5600, while second costs CFA 4000.

The trains on these schedules will usually stop at Bohicon, which is 4 hours from Cotonou. The fare costs CFA 1400 for first class, and CFA 1100 for second.

A tour company also hires out 1920s colonial-period trains for multiple-day touring trips at expensive, but good value prices (CFA 50,000+). The service is called
Train d'Ebene and is operated by Voyageur SARL

Credit: Getty image

Getting around

Cabs

The best way to get around is by taxi, although you have to go to a main gare (Etoile Rouge, Dantokpa, etc.) to find them.

They are simply moped taxis which are very popular. Fares are negotiable, and there are no meters. The minimum fare is CFA 100 but the fair price is at most half of what the zem originally quotes--negotiate!

Bikes (zemidjan)

There are various bikes called 'keke' or 'moto', locally called zemidjans which means "get me there fast" in Fon Language. You see the bike everywhere everyday around the whole city.

The price if the fares depends on the distance of your destination which ranges from 100 cfa to 500 cfa.

To your surprise unlike other African countries both male and FEMALE rides bike but however many of them aren't commercial bike but rather personal while some are.

A must see

Cotonou Cathedral , or Notre Dame des Apotres , located near the Ancien Pont Bridge.

It is noted for its distinct burgundy and white striped tile architecture. The cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Cotonou.

Also The Cotonou Central Mosque. Grand Mosquée du Cotonou is also of a great architecture.

The mosque is the biggest centre of worship for the muslims in the city. Built by europeans.

Tips

It is possible to learn the native Fon language by contacting Vinawamon (+229 2130 0856) or through the French Institute's Cultural Centre, ☎ +229 2121 2121 (contact@institutfrancais-benin.com )

Buying things

The West African CFA Franc has a fixed exchange rate to the euro. 655.957 (or in street trade often 650) F CFA is equal to €1, and roughly 500 F CFA is equal to 1 US dollar.

Convert currency here

There are banks in all the major cities, and most of the banks have cash machines.

As in all the CFA Franc economies, Visa is much more popular than Master Card. For Master Card and Maestro withdrawals, try Banque International du Bénin (blue star), with SGBB (red and black square logo) being quite reliable with Visa and Visa Electron.

SGBB bank, Benin HQ

Keep in mind that many businesses and offices, including banks, close for several hours in the middle of the day.

Prices for goods purchased in a store, restaurant, hotel, bus tickets, etc. are non-negotiable, but almost everything else is. Depending on the item, it's not uncommon for foreigners to be quoted a price that is double the final purchase price.

If you have been on the road a long time and are looking for a nice, cool and well stocked shop, try Erevan hypermarket very close to Cotonou Airport.

It is reputed to be the biggest hypermarket in all of West Africa, selling all the nicest imported French goodies, as well as having a nice hardware department.

For the tourist wanting to experience the local spread, Dantokpa Market in Cotonou is the biggest local market in West Africa.

Suggested places to relax, to stay

- Hotel du Lac - easy to find with general light meals and standard hotel food.

lovely upmarket restaurant and grill on the beach (you can sit and sip cocktails on the beach while watching the waves).

Somewhere behind the breweries (SOBEBRA), not far from Hotel du Lac, but you will have to ask, as it is a few blocks in and not visible from main road.

- Haie Vive's Restaurant Street for everything else - Moroccan, Thai, Sushi, French, Indian, etc.

This is an entire street full of restaurants where all the expats hang out and you are spoiled for choice.

- Le Livingstone is a popular expat hangout if you need to build connections and want to meet other expats.

- Novotel Cotonou Orisha ,
Novotel Cotonou, ☎ +229-21331919, checkout: Noon. Great location, reasonable prices, free wi-fi, nice swimming pool $100.

- Hotel Le Prince, ☎ +229-21315289, checkout: as wanted.

Downtown, great prices, AC, hot water, cable, mini fridge, free wi-fi and a restaurant with delicious Lebanese, African and European food, plus hookah!

- Pension La Guineenne , Gare Jonquet (Opens onto the gare itself. ).

Simple and cheap place with ventilated rooms for 5,000 CFA (May 2014).

Marina Hotel, Cotonou

One of the Best Hotels you can find in the whole country. It's worth visiting as it welcome expats and tourists from all over the world.

Accomodation and Guest House:

You can book for accommodations in bennin through this suggested sites depending on your time of stay

www.benin-immo.org
www.immobenin.com
www.homelidays.com › benin
www.iletemi.com

Getting out of Cotonou

Porto-Novo -