Benin

[Mountains]

Make sure you go to any African country with a visa if it is a requirement otherwise the immigration will suck you dry out of your money.

Thanks

[Le Baron]

Hi all,

I am Korean, and I am going to Benin after visiting Burkina Faso and Togo in August. I got Burkina and Togo visa from France Embassy in Korea, but not for Benin.

Some people tell me that I can get the visa upon arrival at Cotonou airport, is it true? I will be in all the African nations for business purpose.

Can anyone help?

I sure look forward to meeting with nice African ladies after work. I'll post my reviews after I return from my biz trip.

Thanks

[Afro Traveller]

Was in Benin early November, and end of November again, for a week each time. Stayed at Hotel Marina (ex Sheraton). Very girl friendly, and plenty of girls.

Leave Hotel towards the pool area and turn immediately left when leaving the main building. Walk along the terrace along the building, go down the stairs at the end of the terrace, and walk along the service road towards the barrier of the hotel service entrance. you will find a wide variety of Beninoise ("en jupe et pas en bouteille" as the local beer is also called beninoise) willing to join in fun.

Otherwise, hang around the front entrance of the hotel, most girls going to the casino will walk up the main road from the main entrance after 10pm, or just go directly to the Casino itself.

Alternatively, take a motorbike "taxi" to the Hotel du Port, maybe 10 minutes away. Go to the Atlantis Night Club. Again, its your choice to enjoy.

Everyone will be happy to join you at the hotel. LOCK your things away however, empty pockets of whatever is not locked away in a suitcase, and negotiate a price first. It is popular to make a racket late at night to negotiate a fee should you not have done so prior to inviting the girls in. They will shout so so loud that the security guards (on each floor there are several) will converge immediately. Then, you will owe everyone a tip of some sort.

Many hotels have large numbers of Belgian military, on temporary assigment in Benin for military co-operation. Large groups of these soldiers roam these sites and occasionally after midnight, you will not find a soul left.

Bonne chance

[Tarif]

Visited Cotonou in June. After 2-3 days wondering, I asked the hotel reception boy that how I can use a condom!! He, understood and promised to send a girl in my room. The girls was sort of Ok, too thin but with big tits. She was nice and gentle and fully cooperated. Though price was not negotiated before I gave her 20,000 CFA, which she accepted with thanks.

[Frank Africa]

Dear Waywardson:

Thanks for another informative report.

A quick comment about hotels requiring that girls leave their ID at the front desk before going up to your room - it's actually a good idea, and the hotels are doing it for your protection, not to check up on you. Remember, Africans have a more relaxed, natural view about sex and prostitutes than Westerners, and the front desk staff could care less about a guest's social life, unless the result is a trashed hotel room the next morning.

I stayed at the Tiama Hotel in Abidjan once for several months and always felt annoyed about having to have the girl leave her ID at the front, until one time I had a dispute with a young lady who tried to grab something and run away. I called the front desk and they made her give back what she had taken before they would give her back her ID, and her name was then entered on a "do not allow entry" list at the front desk for future reference, so that future mongers don't have the same hassle.

[Waywardson]

I arrived in Cotonou on the last leg of my trip a bit worn out. The distances involved were not long but crossing the borders, the heat, etc.. was taxing. I stayed at the Marina Hotel, a big international type hotel on the beach not too far from the airport. I was in Cotonou for 2 nights so I decided to make an effort to do the place right. I had done a little homework and found out that the red light district in Cotonou was a place called Jonquet. I'm still not sure whether it is a street or a neighborhood but it is near the U.S Peace Corps office.

Unfortunately there are few taxis to be had at night in Cotonou so I was forced to pay for an expensive hotel taxi to take me there. He dropped me off in front of the Peace Corps office and I started to stroll. Not many Westerners around but plenty of people so I felt OK. Keep in mind that people here, especially criminals, see Westerners as being rich so we stick out and are easily targeted - so watch your back. Fortunately, 99% of people will treat you as an honored guest. I sat down at a corner bar to take in the scene. Unfortunately I think this is another bottom of the barrel red light district. I heard and saw a lot of Nigerians, male and female. Skimpily dressed young girls. I did not get an idea of prices but this really isn't a place where you should be strolling. I did see some Westerners but they got out of taxis and went into two of the discos on that street. There are plenty of hissing girls on the main drag but the real action seems to be in the side streets. When I was leaving I saw one side street absolutely teeming with girls. Poontang on the hoof as far as the eye could see down an unlighted street. If this scene is your thing Jonquet is where you want to hit at night or try one of the discos in that area.

I had to take a moped taxi back to the hotel. There were two girls in the hotel bar. One of them was beautiful but was sitting at the bar with a pissed off look on her face - unapproachable. The other was skinny, shapeless but cheerful. It was late and my options were limited so I sat motioned the skinny one to come over. I did not feel like small talk and negotiating so I simply asked her to come up with me. I always negotiate first but I wanted to get out of the bar as quick as possible. The bar is across the way from the elevators so she did not have to leave her i.d or anything. I was pretty worked up from my evening out so I immediately went to action. It took me 5-10 minutes to unload but she actually enjoyed herself. The annoyances started afterwards. First she begged me to turn off the A/C. She was an OK person but she absolutely would not shut up. Yapped about the various nationalities she has had, when I turned on the TV she waxed philosophic that the U.S and Iraq should not fight because people die in wars, I turned off the TV and turned on the radio and some rap song came up and she had a brother who was an aspiring rapper, have I ever met Rambo? That's her favorite movie, Oye! I had drained my sac pretty good and just wanted some peace so I gave her 10,000 CFA and sent her on her way. I don't even think she does all nighters because like most girls she did not have an overnight bag.

I did not try the New York, New York disco but I understand this is the pick up place in Cotonou. Unfortunately it doesn't get going until 11 PM or so which is a bit late for me. I only had 3 girls during this trip but I am absolutely mongered out. Visiting the red light districts in Lome and Cotonou I saw a lot of girls so it feels like more than 3. I think on my future trips I'll try to find one reliable girl in each town. Of course the problem is that they get attached to you. I'll let you guys know.

Also I forgot to mention. If you plan on traveling in this part of the world, it would be a good idea to go to Walmart or similar and buy little sampler kits of toiletries or make-up. If you find a girl that treats you right, instead of overpaying and spoiling the market she would appreciate such a gift. Things you would find common such as talc, deodorants, maybe packaged up would be a nice touch.

[XXL]

Cotonou

Unfortunately, Cotonou used to be much better in terms of nightlife than it is now.

Still, there is some nightlife. Go to New York-New York after 11p.m. (any cab-driver knows). All girls there are from Nigeria, Gahna or Togo (although some will claim to have, or even have, Benin passports). For some reason, Benin girls do not openly prostitute or they do so elsewhere.

A few girls hang around hotels too.

Hotels are never really good value for money in Africa, but at least you're free to bring in whomever you want. Try Hôtel du Port (well-situated for New-York/New-York). Also has a swimming pool. Some nice non-pro locals often come there to swim, especially on Sunday.

Benin has some advantages over other African countries. It is poor, but hassle-free. The people there are gentle and very peaceful. Police don't usually ask for bribes and crime is low provided you don't do anything foolish like walking along the beach in the middle of the night.

[EFrog]

help guys

will be in Cotonou July
need your best comments.

thanks

[Admin]

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