The best time to visit Benin is from November to February: it is the long dry season in the south, where most visits are concentrated (Cotonou, Ouidah, Ganvié, Porto-Novo, Abomey). It is hot, 31 to 32 °C (88 to 90 °F) in the afternoon in Cotonou, but it rains little. August is a good alternative: the short dry season in the south brings rainfall down to less than 40 mm (1.6 in) in Cotonou. Avoid May, June and October, however, the wettest months on the coast. Cotonou, Ouidah, Ganvié, Porto-Novo and Abomey are located on our map of Benin.
⚠️ Safety: northern Benin is subject to travel warnings. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 15 December 2025), FCDO advises against all travel to the Parc du W National Park and the hunting zones of Mékrou and Djona, to the Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds, to the area between the Parc du W and the Niger border, and to all other areas within 5 km (3 mi) of the Burkina Faso border; it advises against all but essential travel to eastern Benin between the RNIE 2 (Tchaourou to Malanville) and the Nigeria border, and to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments, citing terrorism, kidnapping and criminality. The U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated June 4, 2026) recommends that tourists reconsider travel to Pendjari, Park W and areas within 50 km (31 mi) of the northern border with Burkina Faso. Check the current advice from your government before traveling.
Benin stretches for nearly 700 km (435 mi), from the Gulf of Guinea to the Niger River, and its climate changes from south to north. The coast has two rainy seasons and two dry seasons; the north has only one rainy season, from May to October, and a long, very hot dry season. As the tourist areas of the north are currently subject to travel warnings, this guide focuses on the south and the center, based on the official 1991–2020 normals of Météo-Bénin.
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When to go to Benin at a glance
- Best time November to February (long dry season in the south)
- Good alternative August, the short dry season on the coast (39 mm (1.5 in) of rain on average in Cotonou)
- To avoid May and June (long rainy season, 333 mm (13.1 in) in June in Cotonou), then September–October (short rainy season)
- Heat it is hot all year on the coast, between 28 and 32 °C (82 and 90 °F) in the afternoon, with high humidity
- Major event the festival of endogenous religions (Vodoun), in January, particularly in Ouidah
- Good to know the north of the country is subject to travel warnings (see above)
When to go to Benin by priority
- Best weather: November to February, with the August window (short dry season)
- Cheapest: May–June and September–October (low prices), in the rainy season
- Fewest crowds: March (low to moderate crowds), before the long rainy season
- Events: Vodoun festival in January in Ouidah, Independence Day in August, Muslim holidays on variable dates
Benin: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: January, February, August, November, December
❌ Period to avoid: may, June, October
Climate and weather in Benin month by month
The table below gives the normals for Cotonou, the economic capital, where almost all international flights arrive. Ouidah, Porto-Novo and Ganvié, within 50 km (31 mi), have a very similar climate.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) | Moderate (Vodoun festival) | Moderate to high | ✅ Dry and hot, harmattan possible |
| February | 32.2 °C (90 °F) | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | Moderate (holiday period) | Moderate to high | ✅ Dry, very hot and humid |
| March | 32.3 °C (90 °F) | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | Low to moderate | Moderate | ⚠️ Hottest month, first showers |
| April | 32.0 °C (90 °F) | 26.3 °C (79 °F) | 126 mm (5.0 in) | Low (Easter) | Moderate | ⚠️ Start of the long rainy season |
| May | 31.3 °C (88 °F) | 25.4 °C (78 °F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Heavy rain |
| June | 29.6 °C (85 °F) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 333 mm (13.1 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Wettest month |
| July | 28.5 °C (83 °F) | 24.4 °C (76 °F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | Moderate (summer holidays) | High (peak holiday period) | ⚠️ Rain easing, skies often gray |
| August | 28.2 °C (83 °F) | 24.1 °C (75 °F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | Moderate (summer holidays) | High (peak holiday period) | ✅ Short dry season, the coolest month |
| September | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 24.3 °C (76 °F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Rains return (short season) |
| October | 30.1 °C (86 °F) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) | Low | Low | ❌ Short rainy season, thunderstorms |
| November | 31.6 °C (89 °F) | 25.3 °C (78 °F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Return of the dry season |
| December | 31.9 °C (89 °F) | 24.9 °C (77 °F) | 12 mm (0.5 in) | High (holidays) | High | ✅ Dry, high prices during the holidays |
What stands out in Cotonou is the small range: nights never fall below 24 °C (75 °F) on average and afternoons vary only between 28 and 32 °C (82 and 90 °F). What really changes from one season to the next is the rain: about 1,340 mm (52.8 in) a year, a quarter of it in June alone.
The seasons in Benin: pros and cons
In the south, the calendar follows four seasons: a long dry season from November to March, a long rainy season from April to July, a short dry season in August and a short rainy season in September–October. The farther north you go, the more these two rainy seasons merge into one, from May to October.
Long dry season (November to March): the high season
This is the best time for a tour of the south. It rains little from November to February (12 mm (0.5 in) in December in Cotonou) and roads are passable. In return, the heat is sustained (31 to 32 °C (88 to 90 °F) in the afternoon) and humidity stays high. In December–January, the harmattan, a dry wind from the Sahara, can fill the air with dust and veil the sky on some days. In March, the heat peaks and the first showers arrive.
- Pros: little rain, tracks in good condition, Vodoun festival in January
- Cons: muggy heat, sometimes hazy skies when the harmattan blows, higher prices during the year-end holidays
- Our tip: November and the second half of January combine dry weather and moderate crowds
Long rainy season (April to July): the season to avoid
The rains set in in April and peak in June: 213 mm (8.4 in) in May, 333 mm (13.1 in) in June in Cotonou. They often fall as intense downpours that quickly flood the streets and make some tracks difficult. Temperatures drop a little (29 to 30 °C (84 to 86 °F) in the afternoon in June), but the air is saturated with humidity.
- Pros: low prices on the ground, very green landscapes, very few visitors
- Cons: frequent downpours, damaged secondary roads, more mosquitoes
- Who is it for? Travelers visiting for family or business reasons who stay in Cotonou
Short dry season (August) and short rainy season (September–October)
A peculiarity of the Beninese coast: in August, rainfall drops sharply (39 mm (1.5 in) in Cotonou) and it is the « coolest » month of the year, with 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon. The sky often stays overcast, but it is a good window for summer travel. The rains then resume in September (135 mm (5.3 in)) and October (165 mm (6.5 in)), before the dry season returns in November. Inland, August is on the contrary in the middle of the rainy season: 212 mm (8.3 in) in Parakou.
- Pros: August is the least hot month, ideal for the coast and the sites of the south
- Cons: high travel prices in July–August, skies often gray; September and October are damp and stormy
- Who is it for? Travelers limited to the summer holidays who stay in the south (Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Grand-Popo)
When to go to Benin by region
Comparison of the normals for four towns, from the coast to the north. Parakou and Natitingou are given to help understand the country’s climate; note that Natitingou lies in an area subject to travel warnings (see above).
| Month | Cotonou (coast) | Bohicon (Abomey) | Parakou (center-north) | Natitingou (northwest) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 19 mm (0.7 in) | 35.0 °C (95 °F) / 8 mm (0.3 in) | 35.0 °C (95 °F) / 5 mm (0.2 in) | 34.9 °C (95 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| February | 32.2 °C (90 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) | 36.4 °C (98 °F) / 34 mm (1.3 in) | 36.9 °C (98 °F) / 8 mm (0.3 in) | 36.9 °C (98 °F) / 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| March | 32.3 °C (90 °F) / 80 mm (3.1 in) | 35.6 °C (96 °F) / 80 mm (3.1 in) | 37.4 °C (99 °F) / 34 mm (1.3 in) | 38.0 °C (100 °F) / 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| April | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 126 mm (5.0 in) | 34.3 °C (94 °F) / 119 mm (4.7 in) | 35.6 °C (96 °F) / 83 mm (3.3 in) | 36.4 °C (98 °F) / 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| May | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 213 mm (8.4 in) | 32.9 °C (91 °F) / 138 mm (5.4 in) | 33.3 °C (92 °F) / 134 mm (5.3 in) | 34.0 °C (93 °F) / 128 mm (5.0 in) |
| June | 29.6 °C (85 °F) / 333 mm (13.1 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 153 mm (6.0 in) | 31.2 °C (88 °F) / 158 mm (6.2 in) | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 159 mm (6.3 in) |
| July | 28.5 °C (83 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 29.9 °C (86 °F) / 161 mm (6.3 in) | 29.7 °C (85 °F) / 189 mm (7.4 in) | 30.0 °C (86 °F) / 183 mm (7.2 in) |
| August | 28.2 °C (83 °F) / 39 mm (1.5 in) | 29.4 °C (85 °F) / 102 mm (4.0 in) | 28.8 °C (84 °F) / 212 mm (8.3 in) | 29.4 °C (85 °F) / 275 mm (10.8 in) |
| September | 29.0 °C (84 °F) / 135 mm (5.3 in) | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 162 mm (6.4 in) | 30.0 °C (86 °F) / 222 mm (8.7 in) | 30.8 °C (87 °F) / 242 mm (9.5 in) |
| October | 30.1 °C (86 °F) / 165 mm (6.5 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 126 mm (5.0 in) | 31.8 °C (89 °F) / 112 mm (4.4 in) | 32.9 °C (91 °F) / 105 mm (4.1 in) |
| November | 31.6 °C (89 °F) / 44 mm (1.7 in) | 34.1 °C (93 °F) / 30 mm (1.2 in) | 34.6 °C (94 °F) / 7 mm (0.3 in) | 35.2 °C (95 °F) / 12 mm (0.5 in) |
| December | 31.9 °C (89 °F) / 12 mm (0.5 in) | 34.8 °C (95 °F) / 10 mm (0.4 in) | 34.8 °C (95 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 35.2 °C (95 °F) / 0 mm (0 in) |
In one table: the recommended period for each main region, month by month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Ganvié | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ouidah, Grand-Popo and Lake Ahémé | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Abomey and the plateau | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
Cotonou, Porto-Novo and Ganvié
The climate of the coast: hot and humid all year, 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F) in the afternoon, nights at 24–27 °C (75–81 °F). The ideal period runs from November to February, with the August window. For Ganvié, the lake town on Lake Nokoué, the dry season also makes pirogue trips easier.
Ouidah, Grand-Popo and Lake Ahémé
The same climate as Cotonou, with sea air in addition. Aim for November to February, and for January if you want to attend the Vodoun festival in Ouidah. Be careful: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 15 December 2025), ocean currents are very strong along all parts of the coast and many drownings occur each year; do not swim unless you have reliable local advice and confidence in your ability.
Abomey and the plateau (Bohicon, Dassa-Zoumé)
About 140 km (87 mi) from the coast, the climate is a little drier and clearly hotter in the dry season: 35 to 36 °C (95 to 97 °F) in the afternoon in Bohicon from January to March. Rainfall (about 1,120 mm (44.1 in) a year) is more evenly spread, with a less marked dip in August than on the coast. The best months are November, December and January.
The center and north (Parakou, Atakora)
The north has a Sudanian climate: a single rainy season from May to October (more than 270 mm (10.6 in) in August in Natitingou), then a dry season with almost no rain from November to March, with afternoons at 35–38 °C (95–100 °F). These regions are home to the northern sites long the most visited (Pendjari park, the Somba country, the Tanguiéta falls), but government travel advice currently warns against travel there: the UK FCDO advises against all travel to Pendjari and the Parc du W, and against all but essential travel to the rest of the Alibori and Atacora departments (GOV.UK, updated 15 December 2025). Check the current advice before any trip to the north.
When to go to Benin by trip type
| Trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (history and Vodoun culture) | November to February | Cotonou, Ouidah, Ganvié, Porto-Novo, Abomey |
| Vodoun festival | January | Ouidah, and throughout the south |
| Summer holidays | August | Cotonou, Ouidah, Grand-Popo, Porto-Novo |
| Nature and lakes | November to February | Lake Nokoué, Lake Ahémé (Possotomé), Bouches du Roy |
| Budget | April–May, September–October (accepting rain) | South of the country |
| Family trip | School holiday periods | South of the country, on a short circuit |
Major events to plan your trip around
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| January (date set each year) | Festival of endogenous religions, or Vodoun festival: ceremonies, dances, mask appearances | Ouidah and throughout the south |
| August | Independence Day | Nationwide |
| Variable date (lunar calendar) | Muslim holidays (Ramadan, Tabaski), public holidays in Benin | Nationwide |
| Late December – early January | Year-end holidays: higher prices for flights and accommodation | Cotonou, Ouidah |
Benin month by month
January: Dry and hot (32 °C (90 °F) in Cotonou, 35 °C (95 °F) in Bohicon). Vodoun festival in Ouidah. The harmattan can veil the sky. One of the best months.
February: Still dry on the coast (38 mm (1.5 in)), one of the hottest months, with nights at 26 °C (79 °F). A good month for a tour of the south.
March: The hottest month in Cotonou (32.3 °C (90 °F), nights at 27 °C (81 °F)) and the first showers (80 mm (3.1 in)). Still fine, but heavy.
April: The long rainy season starts: 126 mm (5.0 in) in Cotonou. Humid heat. Prices fall.
May: Heavy rain (213 mm (8.4 in)), streets sometimes flooded in Cotonou. A month to avoid for a first trip.
June: The wettest month of the year on the coast: 333 mm (13.1 in) in Cotonou. Not recommended for tourism.
July: Rains ease on the coast (135 mm (5.3 in)), skies often stay gray. Travel prices are high.
August: Short dry season in the south: 39 mm (1.5 in) and 28 °C (82 °F) in Cotonou, the coolest month. Independence Day. A good option for summer.
September: Rains return (135 mm (5.3 in) in Cotonou). Few visitors, low prices on the ground.
October: Short rainy season (165 mm (6.5 in)), frequent thunderstorms. The country is very green.
November: Return of the dry season (44 mm (1.7 in)), nature still green, moderate crowds. A very good month.
December: The driest month on the coast (12 mm (0.5 in)) and 32 °C (90 °F) in the afternoon. Ideal, but book early for the holidays.
When to book your trip to Benin
For the year-end holidays, the January festival period and other peak holiday periods, book your flights and accommodation 3 to 4 months ahead: quality accommodation is limited in Ouidah and Grand-Popo. Outside these periods, 1 to 2 months is generally enough. Check the entry requirements that apply to you well before departure.
Planning your trip to Benin
- Entry requirements: see our country guide for the entry requirements for Benin.
- Time difference: Benin is on UTC+1 all year.
- Currency: the CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro at a fixed rate (1 € = 655.957 FCFA). Use our currency converter to estimate your budget.
To go further, see our complete Benin travel guide. Hesitating with another West African destination? See also when to go to Senegal, or our ideas for where to go in January.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to travel to Benin?
Short dry season in the south: 39 mm (1.5 in) and 28 °C (82 °F) in Cotonou, the coolest month. Independence Day falls in August. A good option for summer.
What is the best month to visit Benin?
December and January are the most favorable months for visiting the south: very little rain (12 mm (0.5 in) in December and 19 mm (0.7 in) in January in Cotonou) and about 32 °C (90 °F) in the afternoon. January also lets you attend the Vodoun festival.
When is the rainy season in Benin?
In the south, there are two rainy seasons: the long one from April to July, peaking in June (333 mm (13.1 in) in Cotonou), and the short one in September–October. The north has only one rainy season, from May to October, with a maximum in August–September.
Can you travel to Benin in August?
Yes, for the south: August is the short dry season, with 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain on average in Cotonou and about 28 °C (82 °F) in the afternoon, the least hot month of the year. The sky is often overcast and travel prices are high at this time.
Is Benin hot all year?
Yes. In Cotonou, average highs range from 28 °C (82 °F) in August to 32 °C (90 °F) in March, and nights do not fall below 24 °C (75 °F). The interior is hotter in the dry season: 35 to 38 °C (95 to 100 °F) in the afternoon in Parakou and Natitingou from January to March.
When is the Vodoun festival in Benin?
In January, and it is a public holiday in Benin. The main ceremonies take place in Ouidah, on the beach and in the town, but the festival is celebrated throughout the south. The exact dates and program vary from year to year: check them before booking.
Can you visit Pendjari National Park?
The UK FCDO advises against all travel to Pendjari National Park and adjacent hunting grounds because of the risk of terrorist attacks and kidnapping (GOV.UK, updated 15 December 2025), and the U.S. Department of State recommends that tourists reconsider travel to Pendjari and Park W (travel.state.gov, last updated June 4, 2026). Check the current advice before any plan in the north.
Our sources
- Beninese meteorological service (Météo-Bénin), via the World Meteorological Organization’s 1991–2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): Cotonou, Bohicon, Parakou and Natitingou stations
- Safety information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Benin (GOV.UK, updated 15 December 2025), and U.S. Department of State, Benin country information (travel.state.gov, last updated June 4, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
Another West African destination: when to go to Senegal.
