When to go · Cotonou
Cotonou in December
Great month. Dry; dust haze begins.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Great
- Temperature
- 31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C) / 24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 2
- Crowds
- Medium
- Benin overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Benin overall
Verdict
Dry; dust haze begins.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than December?
No other month rates higher than December for Cotonou in this guide.
Weather in December
- CotonouHighs around 31 °C (88 °F), lows around 24 °C (75 °F), rain on about 2 daysHighs around 88 °F (31 °C), lows around 75 °F (24 °C), rain on about 2 days
- Coast and lagoons, Benin · Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Grand-Popo, Ganviébest weather
Two rainy seasons; July–August is often a drier, cooler break. Humid all year.
Long dry season season
The most comfortable months for walking, markets and the beach road.
Watch: Harmattan dust haze from December to February; dry, hot afternoons.
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.
Christmas and New Year
24 Dec – 1 Jan · Churches, homes, hotels
Family gatherings; prices rise.
Christmas
25 Dec · Benin
Family holiday; Cotonou busy.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Benin overall
- Medium
- Prices · Benin overall
- Medium
Benin overall: Dry and warm; festive season in Cotonou.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cotonou, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Great
Jan: Great
Daytime high
Dec: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Jan: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Night low
Dec: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 2
Jan: 2
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Jan: High
Prices
Dec: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Dec: 2
Jan: 3
December: Dry; dust haze begins.
January: Dry season; dusty haze; Vodun Day on 10 Jan.
Cotonou: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen