Updated Jan 26, 2026
KEY STATS
679K
Population
47 Mbps
Internet
COO (4km)
Airport
OVERVIEW
Benin's economic heartbeat, Cotonou buzzes with Dantokpa market haggling and Atlantic beaches, ideal for nomads diving into West African trade vibes. Year-round tropical heat pairs with improving fiber internet for seamless remote work.
QUICK FACTS
Country
Benin
Region
Western Africa
Population
679K
Currency
XOF
Language
French
Airport
COO
GPS
6.37, 2.42
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Tech
Internet at 47 Mbps — plan for offline work or find coworking spaces
Travel
COO airport just 4 km from the city center
Climate
Year-round average of 27C — near-ideal temperatures
INFRASTRUCTURE
2,967 total POIs
Above avg per capita
Average
Below avg
Food & Drink
Restaurants
325
Cafes
74
Bars
231
Fast Food
58
Shopping
Supermarkets
64
Convenience
57
Shopping Malls
32
Healthcare
Hospitals
33
Clinics
150
Pharmacies
129
Education
Schools
376
Universities
74
Libraries
11
Recreation
Parks
76
Playgrounds
2
Sports
170
Cinemas
4
Museums
4
Theatres
2
Transport
Bus Stops
17
Train Stations
2
Fuel Stations
94
Services
Banks
134
ATMs
22
Post Offices
93
Police
28
Fire Stations
4
Source: DropThe Database | dropthe.org
INTERNET SPEED
47 Mbps
Download
14 Mbps
Upload
14ms
Latency
8,056
Tests
1,927
Devices
2025-Q4
Last updated
CLIMATE
Best time to visit: Mar - Nov
29°
J
28°
F
28°
M
27°
A
27°
M
26°
J
26°
J
26°
A
27°
S
27°
O
28°
N
28°
D
18-28 C ideal
Warm/Cool
Extreme
Year avg: 27.3 C Range: 28.6 - 26 C Rain: 832 mm/year Sunshine: 3,444 h/year
CITY SCORES
90.6
Nomad Index
B
Livability
37.5
Culture
56.3
Overall
AIRPORT
COO
Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport
4 km from center
Very close — ~6 min ride
FUN FACTS
Cotonou (French pronunciation: [kɔtɔnu]; Fon: Kútɔ̀nú) is the largest city and seat of government of Benin.
Its official population count was 679,012 in 2012; however, over two million people live in the larger urban area.
Cotonou is the seat of government of the Republic of Benin, where most of the government buildings are situated, government departments operate and foreign embassies are located, but the official capital, where the national legislature sits, is the smaller city of Porto-Novo.
History The name "Cotonou" means "by the river of death" in the Fon language.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Cotonou (then spelled "Kutonou") was a small fishing village, and is thought to have been formally founded by King Ghezo of Dahomey in 1830.
EXTERNAL LINKS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Cotonou known for?
Benin's economic heartbeat, Cotonou buzzes with Dantokpa market haggling and Atlantic beaches, ideal for nomads diving into West African trade vibes. Year-round tropical heat pairs with improving fiber internet for seamless remote work.
How fast is the internet in Cotonou?
Cotonou has an average download speed of 47 Mbps and upload speed of 14 Mbps, based on Ookla speed test data.
What is the weather like in Cotonou?
Cotonou has an average year-round temperature of approximately 27.3 degrees Celsius.
What airport serves Cotonou?
Cotonou is served by COO (Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport), approximately 4 km from the city center.
What is the population of Cotonou?
The population of Cotonou is approximately 679K.
What infrastructure does Cotonou have?
Cotonou has 2,967 mapped points of interest, including 325 restaurants, 33 hospitals, 376 schools.
What country is Cotonou in?
Cotonou is located in Benin.