Cotonou, BeninQuick decision
When to visit Cotonou?
🌞 Best time overall
January
🌡️ Optimal temperature
26°C–30°C in January
🌧 Least rain
18% rainy days in January
🌧 Wettest month
June (82%)
📅 Best score
8.3/10
By trip type
Best time by type of trip
Ganvié (Venice of Africa)Nov–Mar — lake village on stilts, pirogue, 30,000 inhabitants.
Dantokpa MarketYear-round — West Africa's largest market, voodoo, fabrics.
Beach RouteNov–Mar — coconut palm beaches, fishing villages, dry season.
BudgetNov–Feb — ideal season, accommodation €15–20, zémidjan €0.50.
Monthly climate data
Cotonou weather month by month
| Month | Min °C | Max °C | Rainy days (%) | Precip. mm/d | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ☀️ January | 26°C | 30°C | 18% | 0.6 | 10.2h | 8.3/10 |
| 🌤️ February | 27°C | 31°C | 25% | 1.0 | 10.4h | 7.9/10 |
| 🌤️ March | 27°C | 30°C | 43% | 2.1 | 10.2h | 7.6/10 |
| 🌤️ April | 27°C | 30°C | 50% | 2.4 | 10.7h | 7.5/10 |
| ⛅ May | 26°C | 30°C | 64% | 4.6 | 10.9h | 7.2/10 |
| 🌦️ June | 25°C | 28°C | 82% | 7.3 | 9.5h | 7.1/10 |
| 🌤️ July | 24°C | 27°C | 57% | 3.3 | 10.6h | 7.5/10 |
| 🌤️ August | 24°C | 26°C | 51% | 2.4 | 10.8h | 7.6/10 |
| ⛅ September | 24°C | 27°C | 74% | 4.4 | 10.3h | 7.2/10 |
| ⛅ October | 25°C | 28°C | 73% | 4.8 | 10.6h | 7.3/10 |
| ⛅ November | 26°C | 30°C | 63% | 2.0 | 11.0h | 7.4/10 |
| 🌤️ December | 26°C | 30°C | 26% | 0.7 | 10.6h | 8.2/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
Source: Open-Meteo · 10 years
🌴 Tropical destination — heavy rain months benefit from an algorithmic adjustment: tropical showers are intense but brief and usually don't ruin a trip.
Seasonal breakdown
What to expect each season
🌸 Spring (Mar–May) — Good time
Average 30°C, 52% rainy days, 10.6h sunshine/day. Score: 7.4/10.
☀️ Summer (Jun–Aug) — Good time
Average 27°C, 63% rainy days, 10.3h sunshine/day. Score: 7.4/10.
🍂 Autumn (Sep–Nov) — Good time
Average 28°C, 70% rainy days, 10.6h sunshine/day. Score: 7.3/10.
❄️ Winter (Dec–Feb) — Good time
Average 30°C, 23% rainy days, 10.4h sunshine/day. Score: 8.1/10.
Accommodation
Find a place to stay in Cotonou
Check availability during the recommended period
Tip : off-peak months (June, July) are cheapest but weather is significantly worse.
Search on Hotels.comActivities & tours
Activities and tours in Cotonou
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets and local experiences.
Browse activities on GetYourGuide
Flights
Find a flight to Cotonou
Compare flights from all airlines.
Search flights
Monthly weather
Detailed weather by month
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
January is ideal with 18% rainy days and 30°C.
June is the wettest month with 82% rainy days.
Yes, January is the best month with an average of 30°C.
In winter, the average score is 8.1/10. Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.
Also explore
Destinations with similar climate
Togo
Ghana
NigeriaWeather rankings
Compare destinations by weather
Best in EuropeGuides & comparisons