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When to go · Benin

Benin in January

Good month. Dry; Vodun Days in Ouidah around 8–10 January. Book early.

Key facts

Verdict
Good
Crowds
High
Benin
Prices
High
Benin

Verdict

GoodVoykit month rating for Benin

Dry; Vodun Days in Ouidah around 8–10 January. Book early.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated good. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

  • Coast and lagoons · Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Grand-Popo, Ganviébest weather

    Two rainy seasons; July–August is often a drier, cooler break. Humid all year.

  • Plateau · Abomey, Bohicon, Dassa-Zoumésmoke haze

    Slightly drier than the coast, with Harmattan haze in January.

  • North savanna · Parakou, Natitingou, Atakora, Pendjarismoke haze

    One rainy season; heat peaks March–April. Large parts are under travel advisories — check.

  • Northern Benin: Northern Benin · Savanna uplands from Parakou north to the Niger borderhot

    Single rainy season May–October; dry season November–April. Harmattan winds December–February bring dust and cooler nights (15–20 °C (59–68 °F)). Daytime heat peaks March–April above 38 °C (100 °F).

  • Cotonou31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Abomey30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Aguégués32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 2 rain days
  • Avrankou32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 1 rain days
  • Dangbo32 °C (90 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Djougou33 °C (91 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 1 rain days
  • Ganvie32 °C (90 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 3 rain days
  • Gogounou33 °C (91 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 0 rain days
  • Grand-Popo30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Kétou30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Malanville33 °C (91 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 0 rain days
  • Natitingou30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Ouidah31 °C (88 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Parakou33 °C (91 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days
  • Porto-Novo30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 5 rain days
  • Tanguiéta32 °C (90 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    Public holiday.

  • Vodun Days and Fête du Vodoun big impact

    8–10 Jan (2026 dates; 10 Jan fixed holiday)

    Ceremonies, masks and concerts in Ouidah; national holiday; full hotels.

  • Vodun Day

    10 January · Cotonou

    Public holiday; ceremonies and heavy traffic on the Ouidah road.

  • Christmas and New Year

    25 December and 1 January · Cotonou

    Family gatherings; restaurants raise prices and taxis are scarce late at night.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Benin
High
Prices · Benin
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Benin, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Good

    Feb: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 4

    Feb: 1

January: Dry; Vodun Days in Ouidah around 8–10 January. Book early.

February: Dry and hot; clear coastal days, Harmattan inland.

Benin: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month

  • Coast and lagoons

    Best weather of the year (Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Grand-Popo, Ganvié)

  • Cotonou

    Dry season; dusty haze; Vodun Day on 10 Jan.

  • Abomey

    Best months: Nov–Mar

  • Aguégués

    Best months: Dec–Mar (dry season, lower water)

  • Avrankou

    Best months: Nov–Mar

  • Dangbo

    Best months: Nov–Mar

  • Ganvie

    Best months: All year; Nov–Mar for drier weather

  • Gogounou

    Best months: Oct–Jan (cool, dry); April for the Bariba fête

  • Grand-Popo

    Best months: Nov–Mar

  • Kétou

    Best months: Nov–Mar

  • Malanville

    Best months: Nov–Mar

  • Natitingou

    Best months: Dec–Jun (park wildlife), Oct–May (dry, cooler)