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TRAVEL REPORT
Benin

1. RECENT UPDATES

The information contained in this Travel Report has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Benin

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

You are advised to exercise a high degree of caution in Benin.

Since the beginning of the rainy season, heavy rains have caused flooding in parts of Benin. Infrastructure and transportation routes have been damaged and thousands of people have reportedly been displaced. Canadians should monitor local weather reports and avoid travelling to lowland and affected areas.

The security situation is generally stable. However, tensions were reported in 2006 near the borders with Burkina Faso and Niger, including the tripoint with Nigeria, in the wake of territorial disputes. Canadians should remain vigilant in these areas. Travellers should also avoid demonstrations, large crowds and public areas where unrest may occur and are advised to obtain information about local developments.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Crime

Petty crimes such as purse snatching and pickpocketing occur, but remain low when compared to other West African countries. Muggings and robberies occasionally occur near the port, near railways, and along the beaches near hotels frequented by international visitors. Armed robbery, especially at night, has increased in Cotonou and is common in the area bordering Nigeria. Do not show signs of affluence and ensure your personal belongings and travel documents are secure, particularly in the Dantokpa market.

Ocean currents

Ocean currents are very strong along the coast. Many drownings occur each year. You should exercise caution and avoid visiting beaches alone.

Fraud

Cases of attempted fraud are frequently reported in this country. For more information on overseas scams and their impact on the security of Canadians, see our Global Issues page.

Assistance

Tourist facilities are available in Cotonou, the main port and largest city in Benin, but are limited elsewhere.

Emergency numbers: Police–117, Fire department–118, Ambulance–21 30 17 69 or 21 30 06 56

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Beninese authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Benin and its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Benin. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. Canadians must also be in possession of a visa. The Benin Embassy in Ottawa will issue visas for stays no longer than seven days. Canadians who want to stay for longer periods must extend their visas in Cotonou.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required

Travellers are required to carry evidence of yellow fever and cholera vaccination.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

Canada has no diplomatic or consular presence in Benin. However, the Embassy of Canada in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, although limited by distance, is responsible for Canadian interests in Benin. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) - ABIDJAN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Immeuble Trade Centre, 23 avenue Nogues, Le Plateau, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Postal Address: P.O. Box 4104, Abidjan, 01, Côte d'Ivoire
Tel.: 225 20 30 07 00
Fax: 225 20 30 07 20
E-Mail: abdjn@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.canadainternational.gc.ca/cotedivoire

In an emergency, the Embassy is assisted by an Honorary Consul at (229) 95-95-11-80 (e-mail: jhounton@yahoo.fr) in cooperation with the staff of the Unité d'appui à la coopération canadienne (UAP), both located in the Cadjehoun neighbourhood of Cotonou, Benin.

Benin - COTONOU: Unité d'appui à la Coopération canadienne
Address: Haie Vive, behind Tri-postal and Cotonou airport, Benin
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1124, Tri-postal 04, (Cadjehoun), Cotonou, Benin,
Tel.: 229 21-30-24-79
Fax: 229 21-30-05-32
E-Mail: alcona_ade@yahoo.fr

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and follow the instructions. You may also call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada continues to closely monitor and report on occurrences of avian influenza A (H5N1), or "bird flu", in humans and in birds. Further information on avian influenza A (H5N1) and recommendations for travellers can be found on the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site as well as on the World Health Organization's Web site. For more information, see our Global Issues page on Avian Influenza.

This country is in the area referred to as the African meningitis belt (which extends from Senegal in the west to Ethiopia in the east). Since the mid-1990s, meningitis has occurred on an unprecedented scale in this region. Outbreaks most often occur during the dry season (December to June). To obtain information and health recommendations concerning meningitis, please refer to the Public Health Agency of Canada's Travel Medicine Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities are adequate in Cotonou, but supplies of medicine are limited throughout the country.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behavior. Visitors should respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities.

Illegal and/or Restricted Activities

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. If you are traveling with prescription medicine, you should carry proof of your prescription.

Sexual relations between homosexuals or with minors under 21 years of age are illegal and severely punished by law.

Do not take pictures of military zones, airports or government offices. You should ask permission before taking any pictures.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road travel

Road conditions range from fair to poor. You should be careful of broken-down vehicles and potholes as these often force traffic to switch lanes without warning. There are paved roads in Cotonou and along the coast, and one leading north to Niger. Other roads are made of hard-packed sand and may become impassable during the rainy seasons (see Section 10 below). Local driving habits, potholes, inadequate lighting, motorcycle traffic, and overloaded trucks pose hazards. Avoid overland travel after dark, particularly on the coastal highway, in the regions bordering Togo and Nigeria, and on the road linking Cotonou and Parakou. In case of an accident resulting in an injury to a resident, you should take the individual directly to the hospital. If witnesses react strongly, you should immediately go to the nearest police station.

Fuel shortages are frequent in rural areas of northern Benin.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.

Public transportation

Public transportation in Cotonou, including moped-taxis, is not reliable.

Buses (Africa Lines) can be used for travel within Benin.

Rail service is slow and unreliable

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

Piracy

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions. For additional information, see the Weekly Piracy Report published by the International Maritime Bureau.

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The currency is the African Financial Community franc (CFA).

Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

In the south, the rainy seasons occur from April to mid-July and mid-September to October. In the north, the rainy season extends from June to September. Unpaved roads can become impassable. The Harmattan, a burning, dusty, and sand-filled wind, blows in from the desert from December to March. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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