BeninFrench Guiana: Visa required

BeninFrench Guiana

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for French Guiana?

Visa required

Yes. Benin passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to French Guiana.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (checked September 3, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-14

Visa-free access to French Guiana139 of 243 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? France passport holders visiting Benin: e-Visa.

Other visa-free destinations for Benin passport holders

See all Benin destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for French Guiana?

Yes. Benin passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to French Guiana.

What currency is used in French Guiana?

Euro (EUR).

How many countries can enter French Guiana without a visa?

139 of the 243 nationalities this site tracks can enter French Guiana visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Benin

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast. The majority of its population lives on the southern coastline of the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical portion of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Porto-Novo, and the seat of government is in Cotonou, the most populous city and economic capital. Benin covers an area of 112,622 km2 (43,484 sq mi), and its population in 2026 was estimated to be approximately 15 million. It is a tropical country with an economy heavily dependent on agriculture and the exports of palm oil and cotton.

CapitalPorto-Novo

RegionWestern Africa

Population14.8M

Area112,622 km²

CurrencyWest African CFA franc (1 USD ≈ 586.73 XOF)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+229

Drives on theright

TimezonePorto-Novo (UTC+1)

Nearest airportCotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), 31 km

Emergency number112 / 117 / 118

UNESCO sites4

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$1,658 (2025)

Tourist arrivals337K (2019)

Climate in Porto-Novo

Warmest March, coolest August, driest January, sunniest December. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, August, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Porto-Novo, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	33.9°C	22°C	3mm	313h
February	34.7°C	23.9°C	10mm	300h
March	32.4°C	25.9°C	62mm	280h
April	32.1°C	25.5°C	60mm	283h
May	31.1°C	25.1°C	140mm	296h
June	28.9°C	23.8°C	331mm	221h
July	27.6°C	23.3°C	483mm	250h
August	28.3°C	22.6°C	24mm	310h
September	28.7°C	23.5°C	208mm	241h
October	29.4°C	23.6°C	197mm	282h
November	30.9°C	24.4°C	112mm	310h
December	31.4°C	24.5°C	42mm	318h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Benin is a country in West Africa. You'll find culture through a large collection of palatial ruins and temples of the once powerful Kingdom of Dahomey (1800s–1894). Moreover, Benin is the birthplace of Vodun (Voodoo) and all that goes with it. Vodun is the official religion of the country, and an important part of the life of ordinary Beninese. Many important tourist sites are linked to Vodun or the slave trade. The national parks of Benin are well worth a visit for their wildlife. It is also one of the most stable and safest countries in the region. With its rich history, vibrant culture, protected wildlife, Grand Popo ocean beach, and artisan market in Se, Benin is one of the best kept tourist secrets in West Africa.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Koutammakou
Royal Palace Museum
Royal Palaces of Abomey
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

Upcoming public holidays

October 26, 2026Armed Forces Day

November 1, 2026All Saints' Day

November 30, 2026National Day

Full source list on About.

About French Guiana

French Guiana, also known by its French name Guyane or Guyane française, is an overseas department and region of France located on the northern coast of South America in the Guianas and the West Indies. Bordered by Suriname to the west and Brazil to the east and south, French Guiana covers a total area of 84,000 km2 (32,000 sq mi) and a land area of 83,534 km2 (32,253 sq mi). As of January 2026, it is home to 298,554 people.

RegionSouth America

Area83,534 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+594

Drives on theright

Climate in French Guiana

Warmest October, coolest January, driest October, sunniest October. Best time to visit: January, February, March, July, August, September, October.

Monthly climate normals for French Guiana, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	28.3°C	21.8°C	136mm	272h
February	28.7°C	21.5°C	111mm	269h
March	29.6°C	22.1°C	189mm	271h
April	28°C	22.4°C	602mm	166h
May	28°C	22.5°C	516mm	179h
June	28.6°C	22.2°C	382mm	234h
July	29.4°C	21.9°C	203mm	285h
August	30.4°C	22.2°C	136mm	322h
September	32°C	22.3°C	74mm	323h
October	32.8°C	22.9°C	71mm	334h
November	28.6°C	22.4°C	310mm	213h
December	28.5°C	22.1°C	240mm	258h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

French Guiana is an overseas French department and region in the Amazonia region of South America, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Brazil and Suriname. It is governed as an overseas department of France with the same rights and privileges granted to all other French departments, and it benefits financially from the arrangement. Compared to the other "Guianas", French Guiana has the most visible preserved rainforest and a more relaxed and organized lifestyle, but also the highest prices and the least backpacker infrastructure.

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice de 1918

December 25, 2026Noël

Full source list on About.