| Benin travel tips posted by real travelers and Benin locals. Map |
 | Benin Warnings or Dangers | Tips 1 - 10 of 12 |  |
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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 Chinese Toilet Paper by janiebaxter
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 by byron3062Leave a Comment
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 by byron3062Leave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment
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 by nygaston
Do not show your valuable, it is not good for you and for them, this country is very poor. Leave a Comment
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 by nygaston
there are some robers sometimes and policement are asking sometimes to pay a travel tax, why ? Leave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment
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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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