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Benin Warnings or Dangers
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Benin Warnings or Dangers


Benin travel tips posted by real travelers and Benin locals.
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Cotonou Airport Beware Police at Departure
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  • janiebaxter
  • By janiebaxter on April 19, 2008
  • Benin Page by janiebaxter
  • Beware of the immigration police at Cotonou airport! My trip went very smoothly until departure when I got to the desk with my boarding card and passport and was told that my visa had expired! Of course it hadn’t, but the fact that I didn’t speak French didn’t help me to explain that it hadn’t. Luckily I had plenty of time before the flight so kept calm and didn’t panic. Eventually he let me through after I stood my ground for about 15 minutes. Obviously he was expecting a “tip” which he didn’t get from me. But I did see money handed over by a man before me in the queue, who was a local man, not a tourist. The immigration officer tried the same trick with some local women too but they also stood their ground.
    I would advise checking in early at Cotonou in case this happens - if they see you are concerned about missing your flight they may well take advantage.
    Funnily enough there was no unpleasantness about it - it was all done with perfect charm and smiles!

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    The Chinese Influence is Everywhere!
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  • janiebaxter
  • By janiebaxter on April 21, 2008
  • Benin Page by janiebaxter
  • Chinese Toilet Paper - Benin
    Chinese Toilet Paper
    by janiebaxter
    Evidence of the extent of the Chinese Influence in Africa - they are even in the Loo!

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    Be very careful where you eat....
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  • byron3062
  • By byron3062 on September 7, 2002
  • Benin Page by byron3062
  • Benin Warnings or Dangers
    by byron3062
    Be very careful where you eat. This is a photo of one of the many open air butcher shops. As you can see, the meat is hanging out in the open air. You do not know how long this meat has been, there along with everything else in the air and the many hands that have handled it along with the various species of insects that like to visit these areas.

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    This is a open air fish...
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  • byron3062
  • By byron3062 on September 7, 2002
  • Benin Page by byron3062
  • Benin Warnings or Dangers
    by byron3062
    This is a open air fish market. The temperature is about 100+ degrees, the flies come in the thousands so you can only imagine what this area smells like. Do not eat the fish.

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    If you're thinking about going...
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  • By Guardian624 on August 26, 2002
  • Benin Page by Guardian624
  • If you're thinking about going from Benin into Nigeria, please educate yourself about Nigeria. Make sure your passports/visas are in order. Expect to be solicited by 'touts' who offer their 'assistance' in getting you through the border. Beware of open solicitations from 'Officials' on the Nigerian side. Please drive with care once you're inside Nigeria.

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    Avoid to take the road in the...
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  • nygaston
  • Updated By nygaston on August 26, 2002
  • Benin Page by nygaston
  • Benin Warnings or Dangers
    by nygaston
    Avoid to take the road in the night by bus or by car, it is very dangerous not only for your money but even for your life. there are robbers and during the night they try sometines to kill you, just for money...

    Do not show your valuable, it is not good for you and for them, this country is very poor.

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    the main danger is to travel...
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  • nygaston
  • By nygaston on August 26, 2002
  • Benin Page by nygaston
  • Benin Warnings or Dangers
    by nygaston
    the main danger is to travel by night by car or by bus in the cities and in the country

    there are some robers sometimes and policement are asking sometimes to pay a travel tax, why ?

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    The market area in Cotonou is...
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  • cochinjew
  • By cochinjew on August 25, 2002
  • Benin Page by cochinjew
  • The market area in Cotonou is quite safe but it is good to be vigilant. The bridges are better avoided at night.
    Of anthropological interest was the large number of Hindu shopkeepers, reminiscent of their ancestors in East Africa.
    Lebanese own many of the middle sized businesses.
    I ate at some very good french restaurants and one, peculiarly enough, Thai restaurant.
    Tailors vending their trade would make comfortable shirt and shorts from the materials bought elsewhere in the market within a matter of hours.

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    Be very careful of malaria. I...
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  • Updated By Beninman on August 25, 2002
  • Benin Page by Beninman
  • Be very careful of malaria. I DO NOT recomend Lariam as a prophylaxis. It has bad side effects. I actually recommend getting Doxicylcine. It is MUCH cheaper, works better and has no side effects.
    Also, I strongly recommend not going out at night.
    If you decide that you want to go the the beach, only go to a guarded beach. I recommend going to the guarded beach in Okpokba (Sp??) across the old bridge, near the big mill.

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    Give a little!
  • By SMG22 on November 8, 2007
  • Benin Page by SMG22
  • Be prepared for a long winded check in procedure at Cotonou airport. I passed through 10 separate checks on either my passport, my tickets or my luggage before I cold get on to the plane. Each stage was met with a polite suggestion that a "little gift" may be a good idea. I got through uncathed, but a fellow traveller had to give gifts to a total of approx £50 before being allowed on to the plane. Be warned! have no cash a sweet smile or both!!

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