Benin in May

Rainy; lagoon villages and Ganvié still work between showers.

May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• DecemberGreatDry and warm; festive season in Cotonou.
• FebruaryGreatDry and hot; clear coastal days, Harmattan inland.
• AugustGoodShort dry spell on the coast; Independence Day on 1 August.
• NovemberGoodDry season returns; green and quiet.

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

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

• Plateau · Abomey, Bohicon, Dassa-Zoumérainy

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

• North savanna · Parakou, Natitingou, Atakora, Pendjarirainy

  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 borderrainy

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

• Cotonou31 °C (88 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 13 rain days
• Abomey33 °C (91 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 9 rain days
• Aguégués31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 10 rain days
• Avrankou31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 12 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 12 rain days
• Dangbo31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 13 rain days
• Djougou33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
• Ganvie31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 13 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 13 rain days
• Gogounou36 °C (97 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 7 rain days97 °F (36 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 7 rain days
• Grand-Popo33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
• Kétou33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 7 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 7 rain days
• Malanville38 °C (100 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 7 rain days100 °F (38 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 7 rain days
• Natitingou34 °C (93 °F) / 26 °C (79 °F), 7 rain days93 °F (34 °C) / 79 °F (26 °C), 7 rain days
• Ouidah33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 12 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 12 rain days
• Parakou33 °C (91 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain days
• Porto-Novo33 °C (91 °F) / 25 °C (77 °F), 9 rain days91 °F (33 °C) / 77 °F (25 °C), 9 rain days
• Tanguiéta31 °C (88 °F) / 24 °C (75 °F), 8 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 75 °F (24 °C), 8 rain days

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.

• Eid al-Fitr (Ramadan) and Tabaski (Eid al-Adha)

  Moves yearly (lunar)

  Public holidays; celebrations in Porto-Novo and the north.

• Labour Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

• Ascension and Whit Monday

  May–Jun (moves)

  Public holidays.

• Christian and labour holidays

  Easter Monday, Ascension, Whit Monday, 1 May · Cotonou

  Banks and offices closed; markets open but thinner.

Crowds · Benin

Low

Prices · Benin

Low

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

• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Natitingou

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

Better another month

• Cotonou

  Heavy rain and flooded streets.