Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Cotonou, Littoral, Benin
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Cotonou? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Cotonou:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Cotonou?
The short-term rental market in Cotonou shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $427 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $819 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,354+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $187
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Cotonou
The market in Cotonou shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 28% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 53% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 77%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 13%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Cotonou
Daily rates in Cotonou vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $42 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $59 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $95+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $29
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Cotonou
Peak Season (May, March, June)
- Revenue peaks at $768.95 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 41.13%
- Daily rates average $67.24
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $599.99 per month
- Occupancy maintains 35.65%
- Daily rates hold at $58.82
Low Season (September, December, January)
- Revenue drops to $423.59 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 30.92%
- Daily rates adjust to $48.24
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Cotonou in 2025?
Yes! Cotonou demonstrates moderate seasonality with good off-peak opportunities, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 36% and monthly revenue averaging $600 and With 260 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (business travelers, long-term stays, holiday visitors, event attendees, remote workers)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Cotonou
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Gaston Zossou | A central neighborhood with easy access to local markets and restaurants, making it ideal for guests looking for an authentic Cotonou experience. It's close to various attractions and public transport options. | Cotonou Central Market, Museum of Museum, Palace of the President, Place des Martyrs |
| Borgou | Known for its vibrant street life and cultural experiences, Borgou is a popular area among tourists who want to immerse themselves in local traditions and cuisine. | Artisanal Craft Market, Place de L'Indépendance, Cotonou Beach, Maison des Artistes |
| Cadjehoun | Located near the beach, Cadjehoun is perfect for those looking to enjoy the sea. It attracts vacationers who appreciate relaxing environments along with water sports. | Cotonou Beach, Cotonou Aquarium, Resort Hotels, Ouidah Museum of History |
| Route des Pêches | A bustling area renowned for its seafood market and fresh offerings, this area attracts food enthusiasts who enjoy local delicacies. | Seafood Market, Beaches, Fishing Ports, Local Restaurants |
| Zone Franche | This area is known for its dynamic business environment and commercial activities, attracting business travelers and professionals alike. | Porto-Novo Museum, Business Centers, Shopping Malls, Restaurants |
| Youpe | A quieter neighborhood that provides easy access to main roads and local amenities, making it suitable for longer stays and families. | Cotonou Grand Market, Cotonou Memorial, Local Parks, Cultural Centers |
| Akpakpa | An expanding neighborhood with good infrastructure and public transport connectivity, ideal for budget travelers seeking value. | Public Transport Hubs, Local Shops, Restaurants, Cotonou Sport Complex |
| Agla | Agla is a vibrant neighborhood offering various local boutiques, markets, and eateries. It's popular among travelers wanting to explore daily local life. | Saint Michel Cathedral, Local Handicraft Shops, Markets, Cotonou River |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Cotonou?
We recommend checking directly with Cotonou's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Cotonou
Modern 5 bedroom villa with pool
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Villa Chayol - Beautiful, spacious, bright!
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Beautiful Villa le Kitaï with sea view, Beach 20m away
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Fijrossè 3 Bedrooms
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Ilé Naa: Apartment near the sea
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Ahoefa, by Kër Yawa — little townhouse, all incl.
Entire Place • 2 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Cotonou
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anne-Yolaine | 4 | $38,462 | 49 | 2.35/5.0 |
| Kevin | 4 | $32,476 | 120 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Jessyca | 1 | $29,605 | 8 | 4.63/5.0 |
| Landry | 2 | $23,682 | 66 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Yanel | 6 | $22,300 | 65 | 3.14/5.0 |
| Amaaffra | 2 | $19,234 | 91 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Andréa | 1 | $17,688 | 6 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Moumin | 2 | $16,893 | 10 | 2.25/5.0 |
| Vignon | 3 | $15,628 | 39 | 4.80/5.0 |
| Adjokè | 1 | $15,473 | 9 | 4.78/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Cotonou
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (88.1%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 90.8% of inventory
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile segments (0.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 260 properties in Cotonou shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 40.8% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 78.8% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (40.8%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (1.5%)
- Market concentration: 78.8% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 260 properties in Cotonou reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 36.5% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.4 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 68.8% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (36.5% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.2% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.4 guests per property
- Market concentration: 68.8% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 260 properties in Cotonou, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (74.6% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 1-30 days (42.3% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (74.6%)
- Most common booking duration: 1-30 days (42.3%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 92.3%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 9.2%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
108 listings
46.8% of total
2 Nights
55 listings
23.8% of total
3 Nights
33 listings
14.3% of total
4-6 Nights
20 listings
8.7% of total
7-29 Nights
14 listings
6.1% of total
30+ Nights
1 listings
0.4% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 70.6%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 8.7% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (0.4%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 84.9% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
97 listings
58.1% of total
Moderate
39 listings
23.4% of total
Firm
18 listings
10.8% of total
Strict
13 listings
7.8% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 58.1% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 81.5% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Strict policies are least common at 7.8% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Flexible policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
- Strict policies are rare - carefully consider the impact on bookings before implementing
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Nov, Apr, Feb, averaging 35 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Mar, Jul, Jun, averaging 27 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 33 days, while Summer has the shortest at 29 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 33 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Mar-Jun when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Cotonou
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Cotonou:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 3.1% of total guests, indicating a mostly international-driven market.
- Primary international markets: United States (12.2%) and Canada (7.3%)
- English is the top language at 43.6%, followed by French (43.3%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 3.5%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Paris and Abidjan markets
- Develop localized content for United States and Canada
- Prioritize English and French language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Cotonou. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibeju | 14 | $1,045 | $105.66 | 41% |
| Falomo | 83 | $816 | $157.98 | 30% |
| Eko Atlantic | 13 | $719 | $170.46 | 29% |
| Ajah | 11 | $639 | $90.04 | 48% |
| Moba | 178 | $536 | $111.11 | 32% |
| Ojomu | 73 | $530 | $77.51 | 36% |
| Igboefon | 82 | $521 | $92.65 | 30% |
| Ikate | 156 | $518 | $95.51 | 31% |
| Djako Daho | 42 | $509 | $50.52 | 42% |
| Animashawun | 12 | $502 | $51.64 | 33% |
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