Packing list for Benin, travel insurance for Benin and taking your belongings

What to take to Benin: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. An e-visa is mandatory for most travelers to Benin; you arrange this online in advance. Also bring your vaccination booklet as proof of Yellow Fever vaccination. The local currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). You can withdraw cash in Cotonou and larger cities, but cash (especially smaller denominations) is essential for travel outside the city and in rural areas. Euros are the most convenient to bring.
• Clothing: light, breathable clothing, such as cotton or linen, for the tropical climate. Benin is somewhat conservative: covered shoulders and knees are appreciated, especially outside tourist areas and in the north. Also bring a thin raincoat, as the two rainy seasons can be heavy.
• Shoes: comfortable sandals or sneakers for cities and markets. Flip-flops are indispensable for daily use and in accommodations. Hiking boots if you visit national parks such as Pendjari, or travel north.
• Technology and equipment: a traveladapter for type C and E sockets. Also, possibly a flashlight or headlamp (especially in villages with limited lighting) and a power bank. Care and hygiene: sunscreen with a high protection factor and lip balm.
• Packing and protection: a rain cover for your backpack and a dry bag for your valuables.
• Insects and animals: a good mosquito repellent (preferably with DEET or picaridine).
• Sleeping and accommodation: better hotels often have their own mosquito nets, but for simple and remote accommodations, bringing your own impregnated mosquito net and possibly a hanging system is handy.
• Medicines and first-aid kit: a comprehensive first-aid kit with ORS, painkillers, plasters, anti-diarrhea medication, and insect repellent. Do you use specific medication or menstrual products? Bring enough; the selection outside Cotonou might be limited.
• Outdoor gear and handy items: sunglasses, cap or hat, reusable water bottle with filter.

To consider

• Fast-drying outdoor clothing (especially during the rainy season).
• Water filter or water purification tablets (outside cities).
• Binoculars for bird-rich areas and national parks.
• Lightweight cotton scarf for dust and sun protection.

Are there mosquitoes in Benin?

• Mosquitoes are present all year round in Benin, with massive population explosions during the rainy season and around stagnant water, rice fields, and river areas.
• Benin is located in a malaria zone. Malaria is relatively common throughout the country, including urban areas such as Cotonou, although the risk there is often lower than in rural areas. Dengue and other mosquito-borne diseases also pose a risk.
• Good mosquito protection (DEET or picaridine, long clothing, and possibly malaria prophylaxis in consultation with a doctor) is important.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects or malaria.

Are there sandflies in Benin?

• Sandflies are found in parts of West Africa, likely including Benin. They are mainly found in rural and warmer areas, near sandy or dry spots, and sometimes around water.
• Sandflies are active at dusk and night, and their bites can be quite irritating.
• In some regions, sandflies can also transmit leishmaniasis, although the risk for travelers is usually limited.
• An insect repellent containing DEET or picaridine and protective clothing offer the best protection.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other insect repellents, in Benin?

• Yes, but not everything is available. In Cotonou and other larger cities, insect repellents are available at pharmacies and larger stores. However, the selection is more limited and less varied than in Europe. It is also often relatively expensive.
• In smaller towns or during trips through the interior, the stock is virtually zero. Stocking up on powerful insect repellent at home or in the major cities is therefore important.
• More about DEET anti-mosquito repellent.

Can you buy or bring a joint or weed to Benin?

• Cannabis is illegal in Benin, and possessing, using, selling, or importing it can lead to serious, years-long penalties. Even though enforcement is not equally visible everywhere, the law is strict, and so is the police.