In planning mode - how much budget should I keep in mind for Benin - any experiences?
My experience in Benin was more of a splurge, so my daily budget was closer to $80-100. I stayed in nicer hotels, used private transport, and ate at more upscale restaurants. For example, a good dinner in a Cotonou restaurant can easily be 15,000 CFA or more. If you want to see all the sights without the hassle of public transport, hiring a car and driver for a day can cost 50,000 CFA. It really depends on your travel style, but a comfortable trip is absolutely possible for a higher budget.
Planning a trip to Benin requires a focus on local expenses. A good starting point for a moderate budget is around $45 a day. hotel can be a bit more expensive than you’d expect, as there aren’t many hostels in the European style. A room in a place like Auberge Les Oliviers in Porto-Novo runs about 18,000 CFA. Transportation on public buses or shared taxis is cheap, but can be slow. A long-distance journey might cost 4,000-5,000 CFA. Food from street vendors is excellent and very cheap, usually under 1,000 CFA for a snack or meal.
I was in Benin last month and found the pricing pretty reasonable, but you have to be ready to negotiate. I’d recommend a budget of about $60 per day for a mid-range trip. I stayed in a nice hostel in Cotonou for around 20,000 CFA and had no problem finding affordable and delicious food for around 5,000-8,000 CFA per meal. Activities like a boat trip on Lake Ganvie cost around 7,000 CFA, and they’re well worth it. Overall, it's a great place to explore without spending a fortune, especially if you avoid the tourist traps.
Benin is definitely a budget-friendly option, especially if you're comfortable with local transport and street food. A budget backpacker should plan for about $30 to $50 a day. I recently spent a week there and kept my costs down by eating at local maquis, which are small, family-run restaurants, for around 2,500-4,000 CFA francs per meal. Shared taxis (sept-places) are the way to go for getting around, with a trip from Cotonou to Ouidah costing about 1,500 CFA. A dorm bed is rare, but a basic guesthouse room can be had for around 15,000-25,000 CFA per night.