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Print Version
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TRAVEL REPORT
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Last Updated: August 29, 2006 16:16
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Still Valid: December 8, 2006 22:46
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| Benin |
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1. INTRODUCTION
Section 6 of this Travel Report has been updated.
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2. ATTENTION
OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada offers a registration service for Canadians travelling or residing abroad. Although Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada does not warn against travel to this country or region(s) of this country, Canadians are encouraged to register with the responsible Canadian government office due to the security situation and/or the absence of Canadian representation in this country. Registration can be done on-line or by calling the responsible Canadian government office abroad to request a registration form.
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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY
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 are very strong along the coast. Many drownings occur each year. You should exercise caution and avoid visiting beaches alone.
Emergency numbers: Police – 117, Fire department – 118, Ambulance – 21 30 17 69 or 21 30 06 56
Some Nigerians use Benin as a base for commercial fraud schemes. Please refer to the Annex of the Travel Report for Nigeria for tips on recognizing a business scam, brief descriptions of the most common ones, and contact numbers for further information.
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4. LOCAL TRAVEL
Cotonou has no reliable public transportation. Roads 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. Local driving habits, potholes, 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, you should take the victim(s) directly to the hospital. If local residents react strongly, you should immediately go to the nearest police station.
Buses (Africa Lines) can be used for travel within Benin. Rail service is slow and unreliable.
An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required.
No reliable information about Benin Airlines' safety standards is available.
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5. 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. You should follow regional weather forecasts and plan accordingly.
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6. LOCAL 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 7 below. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.
The Department publishes A Guide for Canadians Imprisoned Abroad, specifically targeted at incarcerated Canadians. Its prime objective is to inform Canadian detainees, their families, and friends about available assistance and advice.
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.
Common sense and discretion should be exercised in dress and behaviour. Visitors should respect religious and social traditions to avoid offending local sensitivities. Approximately 20% of the population of Benin is Muslim. During the lunar month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the Muslim calendar), visitors should use discretion when drinking, eating, and smoking in public between sunrise and sunset. This year, Ramadan is expected to begin on or about September 24, 2006.
Sexual relations between homosexuals or with minors under 21 years of age are 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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7. ASSISTANCE FOR CANADIANS ABROAD
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 information at the following address:
Côte d'Ivoire - ABIDJAN, Embassy of Canada
Address: Immeuble Trade Center, 23, avenue Noguès, Le Plateau, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Postal Address: P.O. Box 4104, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
Tel.: (225) 20-30-07-00
Fax: (225) 20-30-07-20
E-mail: abdjn@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.abidjan.gc.ca
In an emergency, the Embassy is assisted by the Canadian Cooperation Support Unit in Cotonou. The address is as follows:
Benin - COTONOU, Canadian Cooperation Support Unit
Address: Behind the postal triage at the airport, Lot 2371, Zone Djomèhountin, Cotonou, Benin
Postal Address: P.O. Box 04-1124, Cotonou, Benin
Tel.: (229) 21-30-24-79
Fax: (229) 21-30-05-32
E-mail: secretariat@uapbenin.net
Hours of operation: 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 8:00 a.m to 1:30 p.m on Fridays.For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire, and follow the instructions. You may call the Department in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.
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8. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS
The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Beninese authorities and, to the best of our knowledge, was valid on October 31, 2005. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change.
It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries 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 country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.
Foreign Affairs Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Benin and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements.
A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Benin. The passport should 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. _________________________________________________________________
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 visa requirements for this and other countries, 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 may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.
Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries 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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9. MONEY
The currency is the African Financial Community franc (CFAF). High-quality counterfeit old CFA 10,000 and 5,000 franc banknotes have been discovered in circulation in CFA franc zone countries. Travellers should avoid offers of large amounts of banknotes in exchange for foreign currency from other than reputable exchange agencies.
The following may be helpful in identifying false notes:
In the serial number:
a) the figure "4" is closed at the top on the genuine notes but open on the false ones;
b) the tips of the figures "6" and "9" feature a slightly enhanced curve on the false notes; and
c) the top of the figure "1" features a curved tip on the false notes instead of a straight one.
Notes bearing the series indicator "A" are believed not to be affected.
New banknotes (1,000 FCFA, 2,000 FCFA, 5,000 FCFA and 10,000 FCFA) were put into circulation in 2003. 1,000 CFA = 1.52 euro 1,000 CFA = $2.50 Cdn. Visitors interested in learning about the new notes are invited to review the Web site of the Banque centrale des États d'Afrique de l'Ouest, (available only in French): www.bceao.int/internet/bcweb.nsf/French.htm
Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on ATM services in other countries. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ATMs around the world. Your bank can advise if you need a new personal identification number (PIN) for overseas access to your account. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ATMs 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. GENERAL INFORMATION
Benin (capital: Porto-Novo) is located in western Africa, bordered by Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Togo, and the Atlantic Ocean (Gulf of Guinea). The official language is French. Tourist facilities are available in Cotonou, the main port and largest city in Benin, but are limited elsewhere.
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11. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM
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 Medicine Program Web site.
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) is currently monitoring an increase in cholera activity in West Africa. Further information on cholera 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.
The Public Health Agency of Canada monitors outbreaks of meningitis worldwide. Sporadic meningococcal meningitis occurs throughout the world with seasonal variations. The largest and most frequently recurring outbreaks have been in the semi-arid area of sub-Saharan Africa, designated as the "African Meningitis Belt". The belt extends from Guinea to Senegal in the west to Ethiopia and western Eritrea in the east. Epidemics most often occur during the dry season (December to June) in this region. Since the mid-1990s, epidemics in the Meningitis Belt have occurred on an unprecedented scale and have spread beyond the usual boundaries. Additional information and health recommendations concerning meningitis can be obtained through 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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12. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION
Medical facilities are adequate in Cotonou, but supplies of medicine are limited throughout the country. Outbreaks of meningitis occur in the north between December and March.
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13. RETURNING TO CANADA
Please consult the Current Issue on returning to Canada.
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14. INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS
Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, 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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15. TRAVEL TIPS
Please consult our Traveller's Checklist.
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16. 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.
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17. FOR MORE INFORMATION
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18. ANNEX
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