When to go · Cotonou
Cotonou in March
Good month. Hot; rains begin late.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C) / 26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 6
- Crowds
- Low
- Benin overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Benin overall
Verdict
Hot; rains begin late.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than March?
March is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in March
- CotonouHighs around 32 °C (90 °F), lows around 26 °C (79 °F), rain on about 6 daysHighs around 90 °F (32 °C), lows around 79 °F (26 °C), rain on about 6 days
- Coast and lagoons, Benin · Cotonou, Ouidah, Porto-Novo, Grand-Popo, Ganviéhot
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.
Eid and Tabaski holidays check
Dates move each year — check · Muslim districts
Public holidays; some shops close.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Benin overall
- Low
- Prices · Benin overall
- Medium
Benin overall: Very humid; first storms late in the month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cotonou, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Mar: 32 °C (90 °F)90 °F (32 °C)
Jan: 31 °C (88 °F)88 °F (31 °C)
Night low
Mar: 26 °C (79 °F)79 °F (26 °C)
Jan: 24 °C (75 °F)75 °F (24 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 6
Jan: 2 (better)
Crowds
Mar: Low
Jan: High
Prices
Mar: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Mar: 1
Jan: 3
March: Hot; rains begin late.
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