When is the best time to visit Benin?

The best time to visit depends on where you go. Cotonou: December & January.

Which month is best overall in Benin?

Averaged across our 1 destinations in Benin, the strongest months are January, December, February. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.

Which cities in Benin does bestime.to cover?

We currently score 1 destinations in Benin: Cotonou.

How are the Benin travel scores calculated?

Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Best Time to Visit Benin: Weather by Month

01 · Benin

About Benin

A narrow West African country, Benin runs from the Gulf of Guinea coast up to savanna and hills in the north. The stilt village of Ganvie near Cotonou, the royal palaces of Abomey and the Pendjari National Park are its best-known draws. The dry months from November to February are the most comfortable and clearest for travel, the main rainy season runs from April to October, and the humid coast stays warmer than the northern hills.

Did you know?

Benin was the seat of the Kingdom of Dahomey, whose royal palaces in Abomey are UNESCO-listed.
The stilt village of Ganvié on Lake Nokoué is home to tens of thousands of people.
Benin is the birthplace of the Vodun religion, which spread to the Caribbean with the slave trade.

Weather

Benin: weather by month

Warmest month: March (29°C). Wettest: June (205 mm). Best overall score: January (7.0/10).

Month	Avg temp	Rain	Sunny days	Score
January	28°C	24 mm	31	7.0/10
February	28°C	39 mm	28	6.5/10
March	29°C	76 mm	29	5.4/10
April	28°C	82 mm	26	5.4/10
May	28°C	122 mm	27	4.9/10
June	26°C	205 mm	22	4.7/10
July	26°C	120 mm	26	5.9/10
August	25°C	98 mm	25	6.3/10
September	26°C	174 mm	24	5.1/10
October	26°C	155 mm	26	4.8/10
November	27°C	71 mm	29	6.0/10
December	27°C	26 mm	31	7.0/10

Travel Tips

01Best time & timing: Target January, December, February — that is where comfort scores peak (7.0/10). June is the weakest month at 4.7/10.
02Weather & what to pack: January averages 28°C with 24 mm of rain and about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Pack the lightest clothing you own, a hat and more water than feels necessary.
03Budget timing: If budget matters most, February is the cheapest month (6.5/10) — expect weather trade-offs.

Things to do in Benin

Benin. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.

FAQ

Frequently asked

When is the best time to visit Benin?: The best time to visit depends on where you go. Cotonou: December & January.
Which month is best overall in Benin?: Averaged across our 1 destinations in Benin, the strongest months are January, December, February. Individual places can shift a month or two earlier or later — each destination page lists its own peak.
Which cities in Benin does bestime.to cover?: We currently score 1 destinations in Benin: Cotonou.
How are the Benin travel scores calculated?: Every city is rated 0-10 per month using ERA5 climate normals - temperature, precipitation, humidity, daylight, and days with 6+ hours of sunshine.

Climate data: Open-Meteo ERA5 historical archive, the five most recent complete years (2021–2025). Scores are monthly averages for that window, not forecasts, and short-window precipitation can differ from longer-term normals. “Sunny days” count days with at least 6 hours of measured sunshine — they are not dry days.

Curated in Benin

Tickets & experiences

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Top-Rated Tours

Editor-picked guides & unforgettable itineraries

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Skip-the-Line Tickets

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Best Day Trips

Half- and full-day escapes just outside town

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Destinations in Benin

Cotonou