DestinationsAfricaSao Tome and Principe

About Sao Tome and Principe Flag of {{ destination?.name }}

Sao Tome and Principe, a tropical paradise in the Gulf of Guinea, is Africa's second-smallest country and a haven for nature lovers and adventure seekers. This dual-island nation boasts lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and volcanic peaks. Explore the Obo National Park, home to rare bird species and exotic flora, or relax on the golden sands of Praia Jale. Dive into the vibrant culture of Sao Tome City, where colonial architecture meets lively markets. Don't miss the chance to savor the world-renowned Sao Tomean chocolate and fresh seafood. With its warm hospitality, untouched beauty, and rich history, Sao Tome and Principe is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Travel Tips for Sao Tome and Principe

Getting Around

Getting around Sao Tome and Principe is relatively easy. Taxis are widely available in urban areas and are a convenient way to travel short distances. For longer trips, shared minibuses (known as 'candongueiros') are common but can be crowded. Renting a car is a great option for exploring the islands at your own pace, though roads can be rough in rural areas. Boat services connect the two main islands, Sao Tome and Principe, offering a scenic journey.

Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe is during the dry season, from June to September, when the weather is pleasant and ideal for outdoor activities. This period also avoids the heavy rains of the wet season (October to May).

Local Customs

Sao Tome and Principe is a relaxed and friendly destination. Greetings are important, so always say 'bom dia' (good morning) or 'boa tarde' (good afternoon) when meeting someone. Dress modestly, especially when visiting rural areas or religious sites. Tipping is not mandatory but appreciated for good service. Be respectful of local traditions and avoid taking photos of people without permission.

Safety Information

Sao Tome and Principe is generally safe, but exercise normal precautions, especially at night and in remote areas.

Visa Requirements

Visitors from most countries require a visa, which can be obtained on arrival or at embassies. Check with your local embassy for specific requirements.

Health Information

No specific vaccinations are required, but it's recommended to be up-to-date on routine vaccines. Malaria is present, so take precautions like using mosquito repellent and sleeping under nets. Tap water is not safe to drink.

Languages Spoken

Portuguese (official)ForroAngolarPrincipense

Quick Facts

Currency

Dobra (STN)
Db

Timezone

Africa/Sao_Tome +00:00 (GMT)

Calling Code

+239

Electricity

C, F sockets; 230V, 50Hz
Socket types →

Driving Side

Right

Population

197700

Area

1001 km²

Government

Republic

ISO Code

ST, STP

Emergency Contacts

Also known as: Сао Томе и Принсипе, São Tomé ha Príncipe, سائوتومه و پرینسیپ, ሳኦ ቶሜ እና ፕሪንሲፔ, San Tomė ir Prinsipės Demokratinė Respublika, Saluda-Tomeän e Prinsipeän, São Tomé og Príncipe, ເຊົາຕູເມແລະພຣິນຊິປີ, Sveti Toma i Prinsipe, República Democrática de Santo Tomé y Príncipe, São Tomé da Principe, Orílẹ́ède Sao tomi ati piriiṣipi, São Tomé i Príncipe, San Tomė ir Prinsipė, Saw Tumi d Pransip, സാവോ റ്റമെ ആൻഡ് പ്രിൻസിപ്പി, San-Tome e Principe, 圣多美和普林西比民主共和国 / 聖多美普林西比民主共和國, Santo Tomé y Príncipe, Komara Demokratîk a Sao Tome û Prînsîpeyê, Sao Tome na Principe, Demokratiska republiken São Tomé och Príncipe, São Tomé aamma Príncipe, សៅ​តុំ និង​ព្រីនស៊ីប៉េ, Сао Томе и Принчипе, Сан-Томе ба Принсипи, São Tomé and Príncipe, São Tomé és Príncipe Demokratikus Köztársaság, Sao Tome and Principe, Sao Tome dan Principe, Santome un Prinsipi, Sawo Tome e Perensipe, Sveti Tomaž in Princ, 圣普, Sa'o Toomenne Pirinssippe, साओ टोम आणि प्रिंसिपे, Insulae Sancti Thomae et Principis, Svatý Tomáš a Princův ostrov, Zint Tommeh un Printschipe, Сан-Томе и Принсипи, Sao Tomé-et-Principe, Demokratische Republik São Tomé und Príncipe, Tavakuairetã Jekopytyjojáva Santo Tome ha Príncipe, Demokratska Republika Sveti Toma i Prinsipe, ಸಾವೋ ಟೋಮ್ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರಿನ್ಸಿಪೆ, 상투메 프린시페, São Tomé en Príncipe, Wyspy Świętego Tomasza i Książęca, Демократическая Республика Сан-Томе и Принсипи, సావోటోమ్ మరియు ప్రిన్సిపే, São Tomé ja Príncipe, São Tomé un Príncipe, 圣多美和普林西比民主共和国, ساؤ ٹومے و پرنسپے, 聖多美普林西比, Дэмакратычная Рэспубліка Сан-Тамэ і Прынсіпі, San Tome e Prinsipe, சாவ் தோம் மற்றும் ப்ரின்சிபி, Sao Tomè e Principe, Sao-Tomeo kaj Principeo, Sâô Tömê na Prinsîpe, Sawo Tome Da Paransip, ସାଓ ଟୋମେ ଏବଂ ପ୍ରିନସିପି, Sao Tomi og Prinsipi, སཝ་ ཊོ་མེ་ ཨེནཌ་ པྲྀན་སི་པེ, San-Tome we Prinsipi, Santomeo kaj Principeo, Republik Demokratik Sao Tome dan Principe, Սան-Թոմե-Փրինսիպի, সাওটোমা ও প্রিন্সিপি, São Tomé a Príncipe, Sanitome ne Purincipe, Lýðstjórnarlýðveldið Saó Tóme og Prinsípe, 圣多美和普林西比, Santo Tomé e Príncipe, São Tomé-et-Príncipe, São Tomé és Príncipe, ས་འོ་ཏོད་མད། དང༌། པ྄རིན་སི་པེ།, Demokratesch Republik São Tomé a Príncipe, san.tomes.joik.prinsipes, República Democràtica de São Tomé i Príncipe, São Tomé och Príncipe, Cộng hòa Dân chủ São Tomé và Príncipe, סאו טומה ופרינסיפה, साउ-तोम-प्रिंसिप, República Democrática de São Tomé e Príncipe, ประเทศเซาตูเมและปรินซิปี, São Tomé as Príncipe, Sant-Tomás-es-Prinç, Сан-Томе і Принсіпі, Sao Tome mo Pilinisipe, Sao Tome eta Principe, São Tomé já Principe, São Tomé agus Príncipe, São Tomé e Principe, საო-ტომე და პრინსიპი, Sao Tomé en Principe, São Tomé und Príncipe, سایوتومه او پرنسیپ, Svätý Tomáš a Princov ostrov, São Tomé kple Príncipe nutome, Sao Tomé mpé Presipɛ, São Tomé dan Príncipe, Santu Tomé y Príncipe, Сао Томе и Принципе, サントメ・プリンシペ, Demokratická republika Svatý Tomáš a Princův ostrov, 聖多美普林西比民主共和國, Sveti Toma i Princip, Sen Tommas ha Pryns, સાઓ ટૉમ અને પ્રિંસિપે, Ἅγιος Θωμᾶς καὶ Κοίρανος, Σάο Τομέ και Πρίνσιπε, 圣多美和普林西比 / 聖多美普林西比, சாவோ தொமே மற்றும் பிரின்சிப்பி, साओ टोमे र प्रिन्सिप, i-São Tomé kanye ne-Príncipe, San-Tome və Prinsipi, São Tomé và Príncipe, Sao Tome e Prinsipe, Sao Tomee en Prinsipe, Sawotome na Perensipe, Sawo Tome-ni-Prinicipe, سان تومي وبرينسيبي, Shèngduōměi hé Pǔlínxībǐ, සාලො සහ ප්‍රින්සිප්, Sao Tome și Principe, Сан-Тамэ і Прынсіпі, Santo Tome ha Príncipe, ساو توم تہٕ پرٛنسِپی, سائوتومه و پرنسیپ, Saó Tóme og Prinsípe, São Tomé ve Príncipe, Sao Tome û Prînsîpe, République démocratique de Sao Tomé-et-Principe, São Tomé e Príncipe

Frequently Asked Questions