Meoweler
Benin

Cotonou / Palm Trees by Day, Starry Parties by Night

MeowScore 😿53/100
What is MeowScore?
🐈 Cats in the city 😸
☀️ Sun-soaked days 😸
🚗 Traffic density 😾
🔈 Noisiness 😼
📸 Views and Sightseeing 😼
🌳 Parks and greenery 😼
👮‍♂️ Safety 😼

Best month

November

Relaxed season, perfect for shopping

🎉
january

Visit Cotonou for the Voodoo Festival! 👻🙌

🏘
february

Discover the mesmerizing Ganvie village on stilts. 😊

🏟️
march

Experience Benin's National Fishing Day in Ouidah. 🍷🎣

🚴
april

Sunbathe on Fidjrosse Beach and try kite surfing. 🏊🏼

🏠️
may

Explore the Royal Palaces in Abomey. 👑💄

🦢
june

Observe turtle nesting on the beaches of Grand Popo. 🦣🦅

🐲
july

Visit the stunning Pendjari National Park and spot wildlife. 🐾🐼

🎸
august

Enjoy the vibrant Afro-pop music festival at Fidjrosse Beach. 🎵🎶

🏎️
september

Witness the breathtaking Somba villages in the Atakora Mountains. 😍🏘

🍝
october

Taste the delicious street food at the International Gourmet Fair. 🍔🥗

📦
november

Shop for unique handicrafts at Ganhi's center of artisanal promotion. 🥊💰

⛪
december

Admire the stunning St. Michel Cathedral in Porto-Novo. 👍🏼

⚖️

Reasonable prices

Bigmac $?

🤑

The shopping and food options are fairly priced compared to Western standards, but can be expensive compared to local prices. Bargaining is common and recommended in markets.

Bargain in markets, eat street food to save money.

Usual visit duration

1-3 days

short stopover

Usual visit duration

1-3 days

short stopover

Cotonou is a typical stopover for travelers visiting other parts of Benin.

Tipping

0-5%

No tipping culture.

Tipping

0-5%

No tipping culture.

Cash is preferred and splitting the bill is acceptable. Credit cards are not commonly accepted in most places.

internet situation

meh Speed

Fiber optic available for some, otherwise slow

good Availability

Accessible in most areas

great Cellular

Good coverage across the city

Electric socket type E

Common in France, Poland, Belgium, Czechia, Slovakia. Rounded plug with grounding clip, doesn't accept Type F.

XOF

1 XOF =
? USD

Currency converter

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Sunrise
Sunset
Day length



biking hostile

Poor infrastructure

walking hostile

Poor infrastructure

LGBTQ hostile

Conservative society

Cotonou welcomes feline wanderlusts exploring its streets with their curious whiskers and eager paws, ready to discover hidden gems in every nook and cranny.

After a day of purrfect adventures, take a catnap in a cozy cat-friendly hotel, recharge your batteries, and get ready to flaunt your finest fur on Cotonou's nightlife scene.

Things to do

The mainstream

🎵
Stade de l'Amitié
🏛️
The National Museum of Ethnography and History
🛍️
Dantokpa Market
🌊
Fidjrosse Beach
🙏
Cotonou Cathedral

The mainstream

🎵
Stade de l'Amitié

Large multi-purpose stadium that hosts major events and concerts. A great place for sporty cats to catch a game or a concert and feel the energy of the crowd!

Google Maps
🏛️
The National Museum of Ethnography and History

Museum showcasing the country's culture and history through art, sculpture, and traditional objects. A fascinating and educational cat visit!

Google Maps
🛍️
Dantokpa Market

Lively outdoor market known for selling local crafts, spices, and colorful fabrics. A cat shopper's paradise!

Google Maps
🌊
Fidjrosse Beach

Serene and sandy beach popular for swimming and sunbathing. The perfect spot to relax and enjoy the salty breeze with your cat friends.

Google Maps
🙏
Cotonou Cathedral

Magnificent Catholic church built in the early 20th century. Features impressive stained glass windows and an elegant bell tower. A must-visit for cat tourists.

Google Maps

Off the beaten path

🏨
La Maison Rouge
👏
Stade de l'Amitié
🕯️
The Door of No Return
🐾
Dantokpa Market
🍽️
Chez Rada

Off the beaten path

🏨
La Maison Rouge

A beautiful colonial-style hotel that's tucked away from the hustle and bustle. Perfect for cats who want a quiet getaway. 🌴

Google Maps
👏
Stade de l'Amitié

A massive stadium that hosts many exciting soccer matches. Cats can feel the energy of the crowd and cheer on their favorite team. ⚽

Google Maps
🕯️
The Door of No Return

A powerful and haunting memorial to the transatlantic slave trade. A must-visit for cats who want to learn about this dark history. ⛓️

Google Maps
🐾
Dantokpa Market

The largest market in West Africa, perfect for cats who want to paw around and find unique treasures. 🛍️

Google Maps
🍽️
Chez Rada

A hidden gem of a restaurant with great food and live music on weekends. 🎵

Google Maps

biking hostile

Poor infrastructure

walking hostile

Poor infrastructure

LGBTQ hostile

Conservative society

Mindful meoweler tips

Beninese people appreciate traditional clothing

When visiting, cats should be aware that Beninese people often dress in traditional clothing including brightly colored wraps and headscarves. It is appreciated when visitors also dress modestly and respect local customs.

Cotonou has a bustling market scene

Cats visiting Cotonou should definitely check out the markets. From the Dantokpa Market which is one of the largest in West Africa, to the smaller Ganhi Market, there is something for everyone to explore and experience.

The Vodun religion is a significant part of Beninese culture

The Vodun religion, which originated in the Fon and Ewe tribes of Benin, is still practiced by a significant portion of the population. Cats should be respectful of this cultural aspect and may even be interested in learning more about this unique religion.

Useful external sites

visitbenin.bj

Visit Benin↗

Official tourism website of Benin, with information on attractions, accommodations, and events in Cotonou and other parts of the country.

www.cadjohoun-airport.com

Cotonou Airport↗

Official website of Cotonou's international airport, with flight schedules, airport services, and transportation information.

www.lonelyplanet.com/benin/cotonou

Lonely Planet - Cotonou↗

A comprehensive guide to Cotonou, with recommendations on things to do, places to eat, and accommodations from the popular travel guidebook publisher.

Beware, most of the content was generated by AI