Sao Tome and Principe
Africa's second-smallest country is a pair of volcanic islands on the equator in the Gulf of Guinea, cloaked in rainforest and old cocoa plantations. Príncipe's beaches back directly onto jungle, the needle of Pico Cão Grande rises from São Tomé's wild south, and crumbling colonial roças recall a cocoa boom. The local motto, leve-leve ('easy, easy'), sets the pace.
Overview
The country is two islands about 140 km apart in the Gulf of Guinea, some 250 km off the coast of Gabon. Most visitors spend five or six days on São Tomé, taking in the capital's pastel colonial streets, the cocoa estates (roças) of the interior, the Obô rainforest and the wild south around Pico Cão Grande and Ilhéu das Rolas, then fly to tiny Príncipe, a UNESCO biosphere reserve, for beaches and forest walks. A week to ten days works well, and the two islands feel distinct enough to justify both.
This is slow, small-scale travel: roads are narrow and potholed, accommodation ranges from simple guesthouses and converted roças to a few expensive eco-lodges on Príncipe, and things happen leve-leve. International flights are limited, mostly via Lisbon, so the islands cost more to reach than to stay in. Visitors are struck by the birdlife, with more than 20 endemic species, by how good the local chocolate is, and by how few other tourists they meet. It suits nature lovers, birders, hikers and anyone who wants Africa without the crowds.
Map of Sao Tome and Principe
Top 5 highlights
- 1Beach
Príncipe and Praia Banana
The smaller island is a UNESCO biosphere reserve where rainforest runs down to empty coves. Praia Banana, a crescent of golden sand backed by palms, is the most photographed; combine it with forest walks and boat trips.
- 2Nature
Pico Cão Grande
A needle-like volcanic plug rising more than 300 m above the rainforest of Obô Natural Park in the south. Admire it from the southern coast road, or hike through the forest to its base with a local guide.
- 3History
Roça Agostinho Neto
Once one of the largest cocoa plantations, this vast roça has a grand avenue, a ruined colonial hospital and workers' quarters still lived in by labourers' descendants. It tells the story of colonial cocoa and its forced-labour system.
- 4Nature
Ilhéu das Rolas
A small island off São Tomé's southern tip, crossed by the equator, where a monument and a world map in tiles mark the line. Reach it by a short boat ride from Ponta Baleia, then snorkel or walk the forest paths.
- 5Wildlife
Turtle nesting at Praia Jalé
Between roughly November and March, green, hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback turtles nest on beaches in the far south. A small community ecolodge at Praia Jalé works with conservation groups on night-time nesting and hatching walks.
Biggest cities
São Tomé
The low-rise capital has faded Portuguese colonial buildings, a pink presidential palace, a national museum inside the Fort of São Sebastião and a lively market. The base for most excursions.
Trindade
An inland market town in the hills a few kilometres south-west of the capital and seat of Mé-Zóchi district; most visitors pass through on the way up to Roça Monte Café and Bom Sucesso.
Santana
An east-coast town south of the capital, close to small beaches and the islet of Santana; a quiet stop on the road towards São João dos Angolares and the south.
Population figures are rounded 2012 census figures for each town with its adjoining settlements. Outside the capital, the largest places are small towns; Neves, on the north-west coast, is almost the same size as Santana.
When to go to Sao Tome and Principe
Best time: Jun–Sep.
Average climate in São Tomé
Festivals & events
- JulIndependence Day
Independence from Portugal in 1975 is celebrated on 12 July with parades, concerts and dancing in the capital, a good chance to see socopé and other traditional dances.
- AugAuto de Floripes
For the feast of São Lourenço in mid-August, the people of Santo António on Príncipe stage a day-long street drama of Charlemagne's knights battling the Moors, in costume and masks.
How much does Sao Tome and Principe cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Calulu
The national dish: smoked fish or chicken stewed with palm oil, okra, aubergine and a mix of local leaves and herbs, served with rice, banana or breadfruit.
Izaquente
A rich, slow-cooked stew of the seeds of the African breadfruit tree with smoked fish, palm oil and spices, often made for special occasions.
São Tomé chocolate
Cocoa from the islands' estates is made into intense dark bars by local producers such as Claudio Corallo, whose workshop in the capital offers tastings.
Getting around
Yellow shared taxis and minibuses run along the main roads from the capital, but most visitors hire a car with a driver or join tours, especially for the rough road to the south. Short flights connect São Tomé and Príncipe; boats are irregular and slow. On Príncipe, lodges arrange airport transfers and guided trips, as there is very little public transport.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +239
- Time zone
- UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Tipping is not expected but appreciated: round up in cafés, leave around 10% for good restaurant service, and tip guides and drivers in euros or dobras.
- Etiquette
- Greet people with 'bom dia' or 'boa tarde' before any request, accept that things move leve-leve, ask before photographing people, and dress modestly away from the beach.
- Main airports
- São Tomé International Airport (TMS), São Tomé
Visas & entry for Sao Tome and Principe
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit São Tomé and Príncipe for tourism for a period of up to 15 days without a visa.
To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the São Tomé and Príncipe government’s entry requirements.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- DengueHepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosisYellow fever
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in São Tomé and Príncipe: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Sao Tome and Principe
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Mon 21 Dec 2026 | São Tomé Day |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 4 Jan 2027 | Day of King Amador |
| Wed 3 Feb 2027 | Martyrs' Day |
| Fri 30 Apr 2027 | Worker's Day (observed) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Worker's Day |
| Mon 12 Jul 2027 | Independence Day |
| Mon 6 Sep 2027 | Armed Forces Day |
| Thu 30 Sep 2027 | Agricultural Reform Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Portuguese
| English | Portuguese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Olá | oh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigada | oh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah |
| Please | Por favor | poor fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Com licença | kohn lee-SEN-sah |
| How much is this? | Quanto custa? | KWAN-too KOOS-tah |
Know before you go
- The dobra is pegged to the euro, and euros in cash are widely accepted. Cards and ATMs for foreign cards are unreliable, so bring enough cash for your whole stay.
- Book flights to Príncipe and lodge transfers well in advance: seats are limited, schedules change, and the few good hotels fill up in the June–September dry season.
- Hire a local guide for Obô Natural Park and Pico Cão Grande: trails are unmarked, muddy and steep, and guides spot endemic birds you would otherwise miss.
Sao Tome and Principe travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe?
The best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe is generally Jun–Sep. Peak months are June, July, August and September. Average highs in São Tomé range from 28°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Sao Tome and Principe cost per day?
Roughly £50 a day on a tight budget, £110 mid-range and £250+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Sao Tome and Principe?
São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN).
What plug type does Sao Tome and Principe use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sao Tome and Principe?
Traffic drives on the right in Sao Tome and Principe, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Sao Tome and Principe?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Sao Tome and Principe?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit São Tomé and Príncipe for tourism for a period of up to 15 days without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Sao Tome and Principe before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/sao-tome-and-principe/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Sao Tome and Principe?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tuberculosis and Yellow fever sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
