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Before you go

Visas and Documents: For Europeans, visas are not required of nationals of Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Sweden. There is no Embassy in London, so travelers from the UK must get one in Paris or elsewhere. If you're traveling through West Africa before arriving in Benin, visas for Benin are readily available at the Togo border, and from there it is a three-hour taxi ride to Cotonou, Benin's capital. There are Beninese embassies in Ghana, Niger and Nigeria. For Americans, the Benin embassy in Washington requires $40 ($50 at the Consulate in New York) and two photos for a single-entry visa valid for up to 90 days.

Exit visas are not required of you're leaving Benin by road. However, they are required for all those flying out, except French nationals, if your visit has exceeded 48 hours. Immigration is in charge of this service and is open weekdays and Saturday mornings.

An International Vaccination Certificate or World Health Organization card are required (see "health and safety" information).