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Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou - Travel (26) - Nairaland

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Relocating To Cotonou / Pls I Need Guide On How To Get To Cotonou And Also Where To Get Things Cheap / Cotonou, Benin Republic (2) (3) (4)

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Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 2:57pm On May 25, 2016
KelvinLamar:


Communication is also way cheaper here. They are robbing us in Nigeria.
You can get 200MB of legitimate airtel data for 2Cedis. That is less than 100 Naira.

I bought Vodafone and subscribed for the " X" package. I paid just 11Cedis and I got 1.7GB with free calls to Vodafone X users and free SMS to all Vodafone users.

Can any network beat that in Nigeria?

I know data and calls can be very cheap. MTN gave me 180 MB for 2 cedi. I feel cheated right now; D

But cabs are costly here.
20GHC upwards
paid 30GHC to the airport From east legon. can you compare that with cab price in Abidjan? the highest I paid for cab is 3500 CFA and it is because the distance was far (Basaam)


Light bill is costly too.

And other stuffs tho
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by KelvinLamar: 3:10pm On May 25, 2016
Ugosample:


I know data and calls can be very cheap. MTN gave me 180 MB for 2 cedi. I feel cheated right now; D

But cabs are costly here.
20GHC upwards
paid 30GHC to the airport From east legon. can you compare that with cab price in Abidjan? the highest I paid for cab is 3500 CFA and it is because the distance was far (Basaam)


Light bill is costly too.

And other stuffs tho

I agree on that..Cabs are expensive. But 20 Cedis is 1000 naira(Official rate). 3500 CFA is roughly above 1000 Naira(official rate).

When I was in Abidjan, I did everything to stay away from the red Taxis.Lmao.. I used Gbaka mostly and then the Suburb Taxis that charge around 100CFA or 200CFA.

The highest you will pay for Gbaka or the suburb Taxi is 400CFA. Highest..

I fit use that 3500 CFA buy Acheke with confirm Chicken and meat still collect change. Lmao.

Say No to Red Taxis.

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Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 3:18pm On May 25, 2016
KelvinLamar:


I agree on that..Cabs are expensive. But 20 Cedis is 1000 naira(Official rate). 3500 CFA is roughly above 1000 Naira(official rate).

When I was in Abidjan, I did everything to stay away from the red Taxis.Lmao.. I used Gbaka mostly and then the Suburb Taxis that charge around 100CFA or 200CFA.

The highest you will pay for Gbaka or the suburb Taxi is 400CFA. Highest..

I fit use that 3500 CFA buy Acheke with confirm Chicken and meat still collect change. Lmao.

Say No to Red Taxis.

That your mathematical analysis no correct o!!!!
The analysis should have been between CFA and Cedi. Don't bring naira into it o.
The last time I checked. 6.5 Cedi equals 1000CFA.
Do the maths using that instead.
I used Gbaka too. Apprenti!!!!!!! lol grin cheesy

I'm happy you enjoyed the city, as it is a city I will visit again and again.

Funny enough I don't like attieke I just eat the fish and leave the rest.

Did you visit the university?
What ofthe zoo?
Enjoy Accra too o, and you can finish in Lome before coming home. That is another magical city.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by KelvinLamar: 3:57pm On May 25, 2016
Ugosample:


That your mathematical analysis no correct o!!!!
The analysis should have been between CFA and Cedi. Don't bring naira into it o.
The last time I checked. 6.5 Cedi equals 1000CFA.
Do the maths using that instead.
I used Gbaka too. Apprenti!!!!!!! lol grin cheesy

I'm happy you enjoyed the city, as it is a city I will visit again and again.

Funny enough I don't like attieke I just eat the fish and leave the rest.

Did you visit the university?
What ofthe zoo?
Enjoy Accra too o, and you can finish in Lome before coming home. That is another magical city.

5 Cedis is 1000CFA. I came into Accra about two weeks ago or so from Abidjan with CFA. In fact, when you wan drop for immigration guys dey will ask you to either pay 1000CFA or 5 Cedis.

Maybe the Naira analysis was wrong sha. I withdrew via ATM. Didn't even check the charges. I am using online conversion rate.

You mean the university of Cocody? When there is no WiFi at home, I take Gbaka to the university and enjoy unlimited free internet.. LOL. I didn't visit the zoo. I don't like going to see caged animals sha.

I went to Grand Bassam, Dabou, Yammousokro and then visited the park and malls around Plateau and Deux Plateau.

For Lome, I spend 4 days there. Apart from the beach, nothing so special for me. Maybe I didn't explore enough.. The horizon of the Ocean is great. Especially at night..

If you have name of places, drop them biko.

Next year, I will be off to Central and East Africa with my girlfriend.

2 Likes

Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 5:26pm On May 25, 2016
KelvinLamar:


5 Cedis is 1000CFA. I came into Accra about two weeks ago or so from Abidjan with CFA. In fact, when you wan drop for immigration guys dey will ask you to either pay 1000CFA or 5 Cedis.

Maybe the Naira analysis was wrong sha. I withdrew via ATM. Didn't even check the charges. I am using online conversion rate.

You mean the university of Cocody? When there is no WiFi at home, I take Gbaka to the university and enjoy unlimited free internet.. LOL. I didn't visit the zoo. I don't like going to see caged animals sha.

I went to Grand Bassam, Dabou, Yammousokro and then visited the park and malls around Plateau and Deux Plateau.

For Lome, I spend 4 days there. Apart from the beach, nothing so special for me. Maybe I didn't explore enough.. The horizon of the Ocean is great. Especially at night..

If you have name of places, drop them biko.

Next year, I will be off to Central and East Africa with my girlfriend.


Nice one bro.
Me I will soon start my tour this year, but I gotta hustle first o

MAKE I NO GO WASH PLATE FOR PERSIN COUNTRY
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by writemeshyahoo: 6:53pm On May 25, 2016
There are several direct buses from Cotonou to Bamako. That has been my favourite route.

Ugosample:



No be me assume anything o bros grin grin you are a strong man and you can do as you like, lol cheesy grin

Okay this is how it goes.
The sure way of getting to Mali is through the Mali/CIV Border.
I would have recommended Ghana/Burkina/Mali route, but as an alleged novice that you may be, I do not advice that.

Now, the busfare from Abidjan to Bamako is 30000 CFA; and prepare to spend two days on the road (nobody warned me about this grin It was looking near in the map, lol cheesy)

Hold extra cash for tips, and to stamp your passport at the border, as a Nigerian, you will pay via your nose... But the max they would charge you is 10000CFA.

Now I must earn you, there are no much fun sppts in Bamako like that, and the main tourist attractions are further north to Dogon and the rest. Head in that direction at your risk.
Getting from Lagos to Abidjan is easy. just use young shall grow in Maza maza.


ask me anything else.
Safe journey.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 7:19pm On May 25, 2016
writemeshyahoo:
There are several direct buses from Cotonou to Bamako. That has been my favourite route.


Are you serious?
How much do you pay?
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 7:20pm On May 25, 2016
writemeshyahoo:
There are several direct buses from Cotonou to Bamako. That has been my favourite route.



Is it also safe?
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by writemeshyahoo: 7:43pm On May 25, 2016
Its 150% safe trust me. Not sure about the current price though. Should not be more than 30,000CFA. Majority of Nigerians on that route are usually heading for Dakar.
When you find our way to Cotonou, tell any bike man you are heading to Bamako and they will take you to the park. Its also fun. Its also an opportunity to see Burkina Faso because the its a gateway country to Mali. Sometimes, I stop at Ouagadougou or Bobo Doulasso to catch some fun before proceeding to Bamako.

quote author=Ugosample post=45965411]


Is it also safe?[/quote]
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 9:17pm On May 25, 2016
writemeshyahoo:
Its 150% safe trust me. Not sure about the current price though. Should not be more than 30,000CFA. Majority of Nigerians on that route are usually heading for Dakar.
When you find our way to Cotonou, tell any bike man you are heading to Bamako and they will take you to the park. Its also fun. Its also an opportunity to see Burkina Faso because the its a gateway country to Mali. Sometimes, I stop at Ouagadougou or Bobo Doulasso to catch some fun before proceeding to Bamako.

quote author=Ugosample post=45965411]


Is it also safe?

Did you use your passport in that route, and do you advice anyone to?
Besides, how long did you spend on that route

Abidjan-Bamako be two days journey.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by writemeshyahoo: 10:15pm On May 25, 2016
Yes I use my passport. ECOWAS passport is also valid. Your passport gaurantee automatic passage through the borders without issues. But the most important is your yellow fever card. If you don't have it is a problem. They might threaten you or you pay heavily.
The journey is usually 3 days from cotonou. That route is one of the most friendly route I have ever taken.

Ugosample:


Did you use your passport in that route, and do you advice anyone to?
Besides, how long did you spend on that route

Abidjan-Bamako be two days journey.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 6:59pm On May 27, 2016
writemeshyahoo:
Yes I use my passport. ECOWAS passport is also valid. Your passport gaurantee automatic passage through the borders without issues. But the most important is your yellow fever card. If you don't have it is a problem. They might threaten you or you pay heavily.
The journey is usually 3 days from cotonou. That route is one of the most friendly route I have ever taken.


Nice!!!!!
Thanks for the info.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by stelly14(f): 3:43pm On May 28, 2016
pls i want to go to cotonou (education wise) am in anambra do i have to go to lagos or will i get a bus from onistha. thanks
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by olusholaonipede(f): 4:44pm On May 28, 2016
stelly14:
pls i want to go to cotonou (education wise) am in anambra do i have to go to lagos or will i get a bus from onistha. thanks

You need to get to Lagos. You can get a shared taxi from: Mile 2, Seme Boarder or Ebute-Ero.

1 Like

Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by mosayroh(m): 10:37am On May 29, 2016
KelvinLamar:


5 Cedis is 1000CFA. I came into Accra about two weeks ago or so from Abidjan with CFA. In fact, when you wan drop for immigration guys dey will ask you to either pay 1000CFA or 5 Cedis.

Maybe the Naira analysis was wrong sha. I withdrew via ATM. Didn't even check the charges. I am using online conversion rate.

You mean the university of Cocody? When there is no WiFi at home, I take Gbaka to the university and enjoy unlimited free internet.. LOL. I didn't visit the zoo. I don't like going to see caged animals sha.

I went to Grand Bassam, Dabou, Yammousokro and then visited the park and malls around Plateau and Deux Plateau.

For Lome, I spend 4 days there. Apart from the beach, nothing so special for me. Maybe I didn't explore enough.. The horizon of the Ocean is great. Especially at night..

If you have name of places, drop them biko.

Next year, I will be off to Central and East Africa with my girlfriend.




please what is naira to cedis black market rate?
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Nobody: 12:29pm On May 29, 2016
stelly14:
pls i want to go to cotonou (education wise) am in anambra do i have to go to lagos or will i get a bus from onistha. thanks
Sent you a pm
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by stelly14(f): 2:37pm On May 29, 2016
@ olusholaonipede thanks, am giong anytime from next month please which hotel would you recommend
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by stelly14(f): 3:10pm On May 29, 2016
@ugosample as a lady and frist timer woulfdit be difficult for me to travel without custom wahala please reply
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by olusholaonipede(f): 3:19pm On May 29, 2016
stelly14:
@ olusholaonipede thanks, am giong anytime from next month please which hotel would you recommend

It depends where in Cotonou you will be?. I am more familiar with Fidjrosse, ie West of the City around the Beach.
I recommend: Benin Atlantic Beach Hotel. Routes des Peches, Fidjrosse. Tel +229 96 77 55 10.

I am available if you have more questions.

1 Like

Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by stelly14(f): 3:26pm On May 29, 2016
@lerryA please am going to cotonou (education wise) please if your brother has gone please i need his contact tnk please reply
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by stelly14(f): 3:31pm On May 29, 2016
@olushaonipede thanks alot but pls whould crossing the boda be difficut for me i plan to get national id, whould it grant me pass and are you in cotonou or nigeria?
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by olusholaonipede(f): 3:50pm On May 29, 2016
stelly14:
@olushaonipede thanks alot but pls whould crossing the boda be difficut for me i plan to get national id, whould it grant me pass and are you in cotonou or nigeria?

Your national ID is not sufficient to get you into Benin Republic, to avoid unnecessary harassment at the border or inside Benin,you need : ECOWAS Passport and a yellow Fever certificate. I am based outside Africa, but maintain a holiday home in Cotonou.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by schboy3: 6:18pm On May 29, 2016
Ugosample:



I intend going that route again too soon.
Naira is fucking up big time do the exchange rates are currently terrible, so expect to Change N550 to 1000CFA

Second, for where to stay, I recommend the Guesthouse at Haie Vive, it's close to the airport, and there are many fun spots on that street too.

It's better to use ID card to cross over, but if you want to use passport (like me) then be ready to pay for the stamping, especially when it is your first time.

Ask me any other thing


Hi uqo, thanks for takinq time to reply.
It's not ma first time qoinq on a road trip, Cus ah have been to qhana about 3times, so ma passport has been stamped.
Ah want to know if it will be best ah to qo straiqht from laqos to Abidjan, or maybe from laqos to qhana, and from their to Abidjan.
Ah just hope that before October, the naira will have been stable.
Ah have also started à french class, to improve ma french, so that communication wont be a problem.
Thanks anyway, ah just hope u will keep dis window open, so that in case of anythinq, ah can ask u.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by Ugosample(m): 6:27pm On May 29, 2016
schboy3:



Hi uqo, thanks for takinq time to reply.
It's not ma first time qoinq on a road trip, Cus ah have been to qhana about 3times, so ma passport has been stamped.
Ah want to know if it will be best ah to qo straiqht from laqos to Abidjan, or maybe from laqos to qhana, and from their to Abidjan.
Ah just hope that before October, the naira will have been stable.
Ah have also started à french class, to improve ma french, so that communication wont be a problem.
Thanks anyway, ah just hope u will keep dis window open, so that in case of anythinq, ah can ask u.


Pas de probleme Mon frère.
Demandez-Moi anytime
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by schboy3: 6:48pm On May 29, 2016
KelvinLamar:


Abidjan is splendid city, great city. It is by far the best African city I've been to yet. I lived in Abidjan for one month and roughly one week with a family host, so it helped cut my spending. Abidjan have the very basic of a modern society: Electricity and clean water. Abidjan is a lot much more organized than, say, Lagos. And it has a very large expatriate population with an above average night/fun life. Modern bars with Acheke joints flanking them are scattered all over the city. The road network is great.

I can go on and on and on!!!! So many good stuffs. I didn't spend on food and internet(I got that for free at my host family) so I can't give you an idea on cost of living. But if there is a Francophone city worth visiting, it is Abidjan.

I am currently in Accra. And it is as shitty as Lagos. Just less expensive.


Nice to hear from you.
Why not visit kasoc in qhana, it's a nice place, that was the area ah stayed in ma last visit.
Tell me, how did u qot to Abidjan, which transport company did u follow, how was it like etc.
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by schboy3: 7:06pm On May 29, 2016
Ugosample:



Pas de probleme Mon frère.
Demandez-Moi anytime

Merci monsieur.
Je suis planinq on a road trip pour moi vacances to Abidjan, by Octobre, can you s'il vous plaît donner moi à ruff estimation, i.e transport tro & flo, hôtel pour 7-10 days, feedinq, movement (hanq-out), and just a qeneral tips.
Merci pour vous temps
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by KelvinLamar: 10:31pm On May 29, 2016
schboy3:



Nice to hear from you.
Why not visit kasoc in qhana, it's a nice place, that was the area ah stayed in ma last visit.
Tell me, how did u qot to Abidjan, which transport company did u follow, how was it like etc.

[quote author=schboy3 post=46088027]



I will try it out. I am still finding my way around

As to how to got to Abidjan, it was not straight. Because I was moving from Benin to Togo, I had to cross the Togo/Ghana border to ALAO(It is the town at the Ghana side of the border). I used the shortcut and paid 2500CFA. At AFLAO, there is a big motor park(I think it is called Diplomat Park) where I got a bus(long, comfortable) that took me directly to Elibou(The other end of Ghana). From AFLAO to Elibou is normally 9,500CFA or 10, 000CFA, never more than that.)

at the Elibou Border, you can get a bus that will take you directly to Treichville(A popular centre in Abidjan). It shouldn't cost more than 7000CFA. From treichville, you cab find your way around.

Please note that I didn't include all the bribes you just pay to immigration. While going from AFLAO to Elibou, you will pass through two immigration posts. You will have to pay 1000CFA to each of them unless your passport is stamped. After paying that, then you have to settle the real Ghana immigration folks, then the Ivorians.

My advice is: Get your valid vaccination card before travelling.


If you want to go from Accra to Abidjan, you can take STC(It is the most popular). Costs around 20, 000 CFA or so.

Hope this helps.. I don too type sef....

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Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by stelly14(f): 12:06am On Jun 02, 2016
@olusholaonipede pls international passport and ecowas which is better pls replyu
Re: Need Traveling Advice To Cotonou by olusholaonipede(f): 5:28pm On Jun 02, 2016
stelly14:
@olusholaonipede pls international passport and ecowas which is better pls replyu

Travelling within Ecowas states: Ecowas passport and it is cheaper. International Passport is more expensive and allows you travel within Ecowas States and all other countries in the world.

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