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Things to Do in Benin

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Benin Things To Do

Flag flying outside a Zangbeto temple - Benin

Flag flying outside a Zangbeto temple
by janiebaxter

Reviews and photos of Benin attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Benin sightseeing.

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Benin Things To Do

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	Ouidah, memorial in honour of the slaves. Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 8, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

monument

by sachara

At the end of the Route of the Slaves stands an impressive memorial in honour of the departed slaves. The beach here is a symbolic and historical site as central and final departure point of the slaves, boarding the boats to the Americas. Near this ''point of no return'' are some giftshops and a restaurant.

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Address: 4 KM south of Ouidah at the beach.

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	Ouidah, Route des Esclave Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 4, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

coastal at the end of the
route of the slaves

by sachara

From the towncentre of Ouidah leads the 4 KM long Route of the Slaves to the coast, the road of no return. This is the route the slaves took to the coast to board the ships to the Americas. Along the road you can find many monumental statues of traditional African symbols. Also nowadays this road has its significance for the people of Ouidah because of the supernatural and historical legends about this road. You can still find here a lot of fetishes along the road.

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Address: Route starts in Ouidah not far from the museum.

Directions: You can walk, take a motor-cycle taxi or go with your own transport.

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	A job for the whole village. Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

bringing the boat ashore

by sachara

Driving along the coast from Ouidah to Cotonou, we saw a lot of villages. Sometimes the whole community of the fishermen village helped to get the returned boat ashore. we saw dozens of people, drawing and dragging all together the ropes.
It was amazing to look at !

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Directions: Coast of the ocean between Ouidah and Cotonou.

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	To Ganvie from Abomey-Calavi Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

Abomey-Calavi launching point

by sachara

For visiting Ganvie in the Lake Nokoue you can take a boat from Abomey-Calavi.
At the launching point there it was very lively with a lot of pirogues with local people. I really enjoyed to look at this.
For the 8 KM ride to Ganvie you can choose to take a roofed motorboat or a piroque.
With 5 persons we took the motorboat, paying 4000 CFA each, without guide.

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Directions: You can reach Abomey-Calavi 18 KM north of Cotonou by highway.

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	Ganvie, market on the water Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

Ganvie, market on the water

by sachara

In Ganvie the whole daily life takes place on the water, so does all the transport. It looks like children learn to handle a boat before they can even walk.
I swa a clinic, the postoffice, some shops, all on stilts on the water.
There is also a floating market. The market women gather with their boats full of colourful vegetables, spices and other stuff at a central point in the village.

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Directions: In the centre of Ganvie

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	Cotonou, citycentre Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

Cathedral in the citycentre

by sachara

In the heart of the city of Cotonou, near the intersection of the Avenue Clozel and Avenue, you see the colourful cathedral in red and white, like a landmark.
From here it's only 300 M to the old bridge, the "Pont Ancien'', crossing the Lagune de Cotonou, going east.

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Address: citycentre Ctonou

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	Ketou, shops and stalls Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

Ketou, stalls and shops

by sachara

In the villages and small towns we passed, we saw a lot of colourful small shops and street stalls selling clothes, shoes and all kind of food.
At these stalls we did mostly our shopping, buying bread, vegetables, fruits, spices and other food or we took a local snack here.
I always enjoyed to stroll around and have a look at the local products in the stalls and shops.

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	Ganvie, church not built on stilts Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

In the centre of Ganvie

by sachara

Not every building in Ganvie is built on wooden stilts. In the middle of the village Ganvie you will find a small island with solid soil. Here at this island some buildings of stone, like the church and the school are constructed.
This is also the only place in the village where you see the villagers walk around instead of moving by boat.

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	Cotonou, walking in the city Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 4, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

Cotonou, citycentre, avenue
Clozel

by sachara

The extension of our visa for Benin, we had to arrange in Cotonou. So we decided to spend a day here by exploring the city on foot.
Cotonou is not that exciting, but just a relaxed city to walk around. We had a drink in the Jonquet area with the nightclubs and bars and a good meal somewhere in the heart of the city near the junction of the avenue Clozel and Avenue Steinmetz and we found some cybercafes.
You can also visit the Grand Marche de Dantopka north of this area.

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Address: Cotonou, citycentre

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	Ganvie, fishbreeding community Tip Rating:

Updated By sachara on April 6, 2004

Benin Page by sachara

Lake Nokoue, fishbreeding

by sachara

The people of Ganvie live mainly of fishbreeding and fishing. The fishermen plant branches in the muddy bottom of the Lake Nokoue.
When the leaves start to decompose, the fish come here to feed themselves. At that moment the men and boys of the village come to catch the fish in their nets.

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More Benin Tips

Overview	Hotels and Accommodations Tips: 23 - Photos: 26
Things To Do Tips: 74 - Photos: 97	Nightlife Tips: 10 - Photos: 3
Transportation Tips: 27 - Photos: 19	Restaurants Tips: 28 - Photos: 26
Shopping Tips: 7 - Photos: 8	Off the Beaten Path Tips: 8 - Photos: 6
Tourist Traps Tips: 3 - Photos: 2	Warnings or Dangers Tips: 12 - Photos: 6
Local Customs Tips: 21 - Photos: 23	Packing Lists Tips: 9 - Photos: 6
Sports Travel Tips: 1 - Photos: 1	General Tips Tips: 22 - Photos: 13

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