My friend told me there are places in cotonou for live jazz and dancing. Does anyone know where to find this?

Hello everyone, I am doing research on Benin for a story and I would like to watch movies or tv shows or amateur series on YT taking place in Benin to get an idea of what life is like there. Any recommendations would be super cool :)

Btw can someone tell me what's up with the american occupation XD looks like a fun backstory

Hey guys! I look at gaming cultures around the world and I am a racing game fan. I have asked all of these questions on different subreddits, simply because I am curious about how each and every single country on this planet experiences video games. I am also curious about gaming in Benin. My questions are:

What is more popular? PC or console or mobile?

What was more popular in the late 90s and early 2000s? PC or Console?

What racing game was popular in the late 90s and early 2000s!

What do racing game fans in Benin play today?-(I get it might not be the most popular genre, but for people who like it, what do they play?)

In general, what games are played there?

Thanks for your responses!!!!

As we all know, Showmax is Africa's go-to streaming platform, yet there hasn’t been a dedicated space for us Showmax viewers to connect and chat. So, I decided to create this community for anyone who loves diving into all the amazing content Showmax has to offer—whether it’s the incredible African Originals, messy reality TV, or binge-worthy HBO series.

I wanted a place where we can share recommendations, discuss our favorite shows, and celebrate the diverse stories that make Showmax special. No more scrolling through endless threads to find fellow fans; we’ve got our own corner now!

If you’re a Showmax lover (or even just curious about what it has to offer), come join us! Let’s build a vibrant community together and keep the conversation flowing. Can’t wait to see you there! 🍿✨

I doubt I'll get responses since this sub is small but I might as well post

Where is the best to go to Benin, I definitely wanna go to Porto‑Novo but what other places should I go ot natural beauties, towns , cities villages etc .

My closest airports Newcastle second is Edinburgh, Leeds Bradford or teesside airport .

Also are Beninois people fine with brits (asking this on all the subs I'm posting on just because we are hated/disliked in certain parts of the world )

Greetings all. No, we are all aware that this subreddit has gone to shit, and has been taken over by dictatorial moderators. It’s because of this that I’m maki my a different subreddit, one called Dahomey (because the name Benin is already taken). Please, move to that subreddit, and fight the stupid mods owning this subreddit!

Hey there everyone, I'm from the UK! Just wanted see if anyone could send some Fantas over from Benin to try. I'm curious to see what differences you're flavours have to ours. I can have them picked up via courier to make the process more smooth if needed.

We had an amazing vacation in Benin from September 13th to 24th, and I wanted to share my experience to offer some inspiration. If you’d like the contact info for any of the guides, feel free to message me, and I’ll send it over.
Our situation:

We’re two guys in our twenties who don’t speak French. We got a SIM card from MTN, including MoMo (Mobile Money), which worked out great for us.

September 13 - 16: Cotonou

We landed in Benin late on Friday night and managed to spend the evening at a restaurant called Kirikou Bar.

On Saturday, we took things easy, starting with breakfast before strolling through Haie Vive. We checked out the Amazone Monument and the Graffiti Wall. For lunch, we tried a traditional dish called Igname Pilée at Maquis Le Talier, a local spot.

In the afternoon, we decided to visit Dantokpa Market, the largest market in West Africa. The place is massive, with a sensory overload of smells, sounds, and colors. For us, as Europeans, it was a totally new experience. If we had the chance, we definitely would’ve gone with a guide to help us navigate the market.

Later, we treated ourselves to traditional ice cream from Degue House and wandered around Fidjrosse, where we checked out the Bateau Échoué, a grounded ship. We ended the day with dinner at Ilé Grill Restaurant Lounge, where we had steaks cooked right at the table in a peaceful oasis.

After a packed Saturday, we decided to keep things relaxed on Sunday. We spent the morning at Bab’s Dock, an incredible spot on a mangrove lake. You get picked up by boat from the parking lot, and once there, the place offers cheap drinks and delicious Alokos (fried plantains).

In the late afternoon, we headed to Zone 5 Playa, where a DJ was playing some chilled tunes. We had a few beers and coconuts, soaking in the relaxed vibe. Dinner was at L’Imprévu, a nice way to close the day.

On Monday, we visited the Etoile Rouge, followed by a trip to the El Dorado Beach Club, where we had the chance to swim. For dinner, we had traditional Ivorian chicken at Maquis Piment Rouge. We also rented a car for our next trip (though I won’t be recommending the rental company because they gave us a piece of junk for an overpriced fee. The car had over 350,000 km on it and broke down twice).

For all our trips around Cotonou, we used the Gozem app, which worked great. We even kept in touch with one of the drivers we got along well with—he picked us up from Zone 5 and showed us a few more cool spots.

September 17 - 19: Dassa

On Tuesday, we headed to Dassa. On the way, we stopped to check out the Forêt Marécageuse de Lokoli and also visited some beautiful rock formations. By the afternoon, we arrived at our hotel, Ecoferme Maktub Chez Armand. It was a gorgeous eco-lodge, nestled in the trees and incredibly peaceful. The food and service were excellent.

On Wednesday morning, we went on two tours with our guide, Felix. We learned about the history of Dassa and got an in-depth look at Vodoo. We were even able to witness a ceremony, which was a powerful experience.

After such a full day, we were more than ready to relax and enjoy dinner back at the hotel.

September 19: Abomey

After a great breakfast, we continued our journey to Abomey, which is just a 1.3-hour drive away. Our main goal in Abomey was to learn about the history of the Dahomey Kingdom. We had a fantastic guide named Hyacinthe, who spoke excellent English and gave us an in-depth tour of the historical sites and palaces of the various Dahomey kings. The tour took about five hours and covered:

1. The Royal Palaces of Abomey (UNESCO World Heritage Site)

2. The Palace of Queen Tassi Hangbe

3. The first Catholic Church in Abomey

4. The Vodun Market

5. The Chameleon Temple

6. Goho Square

7. The Tropical Fruit Processing Center

8. The Houdossou Lègba Temple

Our accommodation was at Chez Edit. Nothing too exciting, but the food and service were good.

September 20: Ouidah & Lac Ahémé

We wanted to explore the origins of Vodun and the history of the slave trade, so we made a stop in Ouidah, which was about a three-hour drive. Our first stop was the Temple of Pythons, where we got a guide to take us along the Slave Route, an important but somber part of Benin’s history. After that, we also visited the Sacred Forest, which provided an introduction to the spiritual side of the region and set the tone for our upcoming relaxation.

From Ouidah, we drove 30 minutes to Lac Ahémé, where we stayed at Bel Ami sur Pilotis, a small stilted hotel right over the water. The view was amazing—perfect for Instagram shots! However, there wasn’t much to do other than enjoy the scenery, which was fine for us after a packed few days.

September 21: Spa Day & Grand Popo

We started the day with breakfast at Détour par Gogotinkpon, then decided to have a spa day. We spent five hours getting pampered, including a full-body clay treatment and a rather unusual African massage. Afterward, we drove to Grand Popo, where we stayed at the Hôtel Awalé Plage. The location was beautiful, and the hotel was super relaxing.

September 22: Grand Popo & Return to Cotonou

We spent the entire day in Grand Popo, strolling along the beach and just chilling. The food here was great too—there was even a Vietnamese option! In the evening, we drove back to Cotonou.

September 23: Cotonou & Ganvié

We spent our last full day in Cotonou by visiting Ganvié, the famous stilt village on Lake Nokoué. Our guide, Théophile, spoke excellent English and showed us the entire village while sharing its stories. It was an incredible but slightly exhausting experience. We visited:

1. The Fish Market

2. The Fetish Market in Abomey-Calavi

3. The shrine of Kininsi, the deity of witchcraft

4. The deity Tolègba

5. The Old Royal Palace of Abomey-Calavi, which is currently being restored

Back in Cotonou, we explored the Marché des Arts to pick up some souvenirs. It’s a long street filled with all kinds of artisan crafts. We spent the rest of the evening relaxing at our hotel.

September 24: Porto-Novo & Departure

We spent our last day in Porto-Novo, learning about the city’s history and culture with the help of another guide. We also got a bit of nature in at the Rivière Noire. After a shower and packing, we headed to the airport at 9 PM and flew back to Europe.

Conclusion:

We made the most out of our 10 days in Benin, and I’d say it went pretty well! If we’d had more time, we would’ve loved to visit the northern regions like Natitingou and Parakou. We also regretted not renting a 4x4 vehicle, as our rented car was a total wreck. Despite that, Benin is an amazing country with a rich culture and history. I’m really glad I had the opportunity to explore it.

Hello r/Benin! (And America? I don't fully understand...)

I hope you all are well. My wife and I (23F and 26M) are visiting Benin for 10 days in late October of this year. We have our flights and visas settled. I've put a lot of time into figuring out our itinerary, but I have some questions. Most notably, I do not know whether we should rent a car or catch taxis. Our French is elementary, but not nonexistent.

We plan to start in Cotonou, and we want to visit Ganvie, Ouidah, and Porto-Novo. Depending on the costs and safety, we would also like to visit the parks in the North. We have traveled Namibia and Egypt, but this will be our first time in West Africa.

I've seen conflicting information regarding antimalarials. Would you recommend? We did not take them in Namibia, but I know the malaria risk is higher in Benin.

We have also considered crossing the border to Togo for a couple of days, either at the start or end of the trip. Is that possible with a rental car?

A rough itinerary we have:
1 - Coto
2 - Coto
3 - Ganvie (overnight)
4 - Ouidah
5 - Poto-Novo
6 - Porto-Novo
7 - Lomé
8 - Lomé
9 - Coto
10 - Coto

But if we decide to go North, then this will change.

Any and all tips appreciated, including just pointers on where to find more recent information from past travelers. I'm not finding too much online.

Hello dear Beninese,

I am planning to travel to Benin in December as part of a tour of Africa (as many countries as I can get to). I would love to make friends with a local and possibly stay connected for recommendations while traveling within the city and country during my stay. My instagram is @ nukeyhov if you’d like to connect there, it’s the easiest way to reach me.

Blessings and thank you in advance.

was banned for 3 days but i'm back

I found this new site selling this book that has a lot of information About Benin for quite the cheap price. The book is only five dollars, but talks about so much! It goes extremely in depth from the kingdom of Dahomey to now! I have already purchased It a can confirm it’s really sweet! This is a digital book, so it doesn’t cost much. I would say this is a bargain.

This is flag cool.

Hello, Community,

I am an American. My brother in law is Beninese. I would love to bring him some home cooked food at the next family gathering.

He has not been home in 10 years and has had to eat American dishes (he never complains), but I think it would be greatly appreciated if he could have a meal from home. I'm a good cook, but I am no chef. Does anyone have a some suggestions of something not too complicated I could make?

He cannot make it home for another few years, and I would love to be able to do this for him. Thank you all.

Hello, i would like to buy original sd cards in cotonou province of benin i would like of you to help me, 256 gb Samsung micro sd card

Can someone assist me with original lyrics of this song? (https://youtu.be/mO6-WENar8U?si=Sp42Dxv8Q93tfLgf.)Thank you !

hello please help me find highschools in Benin who teach in arabic or English, i would appreciate it so much

Hell all! As I have taken power, i will now make the subreddit an open one! All shall be equal!

Hello everyone! We encounter some difficulties with the sub Reddit, but we have finally fixed it. I will be one of the two new moderators in this Reddit for now. I will post about my trip to Benin soon!

I'm going to Benin for 3 month to volonteer with children with special needs What should i know about Benin to be able to plan this trip in the best way ? What are the most shocking cultural differences between there and Europe ? I don't want to offend anybody by mistake or anything What is a must see in Benin ? (Sorry for the bad english)

Hi! Want to get a meaningful gift for a friend who has been living in the US for (3) years & hasn’t been able to go home or see family in person. In his 30s. Ty!!

https://baobabnewsletter.substack.com/p/benins-democratic-test