Benin
Benin’s coastal lagoons and northern savannas are alive with French, Fon, Yoruba, and the pulse of Vodun heritage.
Overview
From the Gulf of Guinea’s shores in Cotonou and Porto-Novo to the royal echoes of Abomey and the spiritual crossroads of Ouidah, Benin’s contrasts invite deeper exploration. The country’s rhythms are shaped by its languages, artisan markets, and a living Vodun tradition that connects coast and interior.
At a glance
Language
- French(Official)
Population14,111,034
CurrencyWest African CFA Franc (XOF)
1 XOF = 0.001777 USD
1 USD = 562.88 XOF
Popular places
Benin
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Healthcare IndexMixedSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
Crime IndexLowSource category: Crime | 2026 | Crime index (100 = highest crime)
Safety IndexGenerally favorableSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
Pollution IndexHighSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
Traffic IndexHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Tourist / Visa Waiver.
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- e-Visa
Benin official online e-Visa route for travelers who need pre-arrival entry authorization, with application and status check handled through the government e-Visa platform.
Languages
- French(Official)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Benin.
Canada
Exercise a high degree of caution
Advisory effective · Verified
Exercise a high degree of caution in Benin due to crime.
United Kingdom
FCDO advises against all travel; FCDO advises against all but essential travel
Advisory effective · Verified
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Northern border regions. FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona. The park is tri-national, sharing an open border with Burkina Faso and Niger. There is a risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping throughout the park.
FCDO also advises against all travel to:
- the area between the Parc du W and the border with Niger
- the Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds
- all other areas within 5km of the border with Burkina Faso
Eastern Benin. FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the area between the Interstate Highway (RNIE) 2 from Tchaourou to Malanville and the Benin-Nigeria
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