Money at Cadjehoun (Cotonou) (COO)
Currency, tipping and cash-vs-card for arrivals at Cotonou, Benin.
Cotonou uses the XOF (CFA). Expected airport→city taxi fare is roughly CFA 3,000–5,000. Cash only; small XOF notes essential.
Airport currency kiosks quote rates 5–15% worse than any bank ATM inside the terminal. If you need cash on landing, use an in-terminal bank ATM — not the "0% commission" kiosks (the margin is in the rate).
Frequently asked
Q.What currency is used at Cadjehoun (Cotonou) (COO)?
Benin uses the XOF (CFA). Airport ATMs dispense XOF directly — skip the exchange kiosks.
Q.How much should a taxi from COO to the city cost?
Expected fare on the COO → Cotonou center route is roughly CFA 3,000–5,000. Around CFA 8,000+ is already high, and CFA 15,000+ 'yovo rate' is a scam quote — confirm the meter or a printed rate before you get in.
Q.Do I tip taxi drivers at COO?
Not expected. Drivers in Benin don't rely on tips the way US drivers do; inflated "tips" are sometimes used to justify an overcharge — pay the metered fare first, then decide.
Q.Cash or card for a taxi at COO?
Cash only; small XOF notes essential. "Card machine broken" is the most common excuse to force a cash overpay — carry a small stack of XOF notes and you keep the leverage.
Q.Should I change money at COO?
Only if you need $10–20 of XOF to cover a taxi or a SIM card. Airport exchange kiosks quote 5–15% worse than a bank ATM in the same terminal. If your card has no FX fee, just pay by card and skip cash entirely.
Every transport option ranked, fare tiers, first-30-minute checklist and reported scams.