Also in this section:

Before you go

Transportation

Health
and safety

Communication

Travel agencies

Currency:

The unit of currency in Benin is the West African CFA.
The value is (estimated) 100 CFA = 1 French Franc;
700 CFA = $US 1. You can change money at the airport upon arrival.
There are a variety of banks in Cotonou that will change money and travelers checks,
including Ecobank, Financial Bank and Bank of Africa.
Financial Bank will also let you withdraw money on your Visa card.
There are branches of some of these banks in major cities outside of Cotonou
(for example, Porto Novo and Parakou) but in general, your best bet is to change your money in Cotonou.
Most banks are open 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. weekdays; the exception is Ecobank in Cotonou,
which is open from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Credit cards are not widely accepted, except at the upscale hotels and restaurants in Cotonou and major cities.