So if you would like to stay here, book it beforehand on HotelsCombined or. Unfortunately, I was planning my trip so late that the hotel was already fully booked. Every traveler who has been to São Tomé, recommends this place. My first choice was Sweet Guest House which is a really popular budget option with clean and nice rooms. In São Tomé, the capital city, there are lots of nice guesthouses available. You can compare the hotel prices on HotelsCombined. I stayed in two different areas: São Tomé (the capital city) and Santana which is a little further down south. Some high-end hotels also take credit cards but you should always make sure before coming into the country. Usually, you can also pay in euros especially when it comes to touristy stuff like hotel stays. You can exchange euros to dobras at your hotel, bank or on the street. If you only have US dollars, you can exchange these too but euros are just preferred. Unlike in many other African countries, US dollars are not that common here and euros are the way to go. There are no international ATMs so you need to bring all the cash you need in euros. The official currency in São Tomé and Príncipe is dobra and you can only get this currency inside the country. The other main language is Forro, which is a Portuguese-based creole language but the official language is still Portuguese. Actually, getting by with only English was sometimes a bit challenging and even in hotels, the staff didn’t always speak English. Most of the tourists I met there were also either Portuguese or French. Portuguese is the official language in São Tomé and Príncipe and I also noticed that many people spoke some French too. São Tomé and Príncipe achieved its independence from Portugal in 1975.
Cocoa is still the most important crop in the country. When traveling to São Tomé and Príncipe, you will most likely visit many of these roças and learn more about the history and coffee and cocoa farming. Later on, in the early 19th century, coffee and cocoa were also introduced and soon plantations, so-called roças, that were owned by Portuguese landlords were everywhere in the country. The cultivation of sugar started and slaves were imported from the African mainland. The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were uninhabited before they were discovered by Portuguese and they then started a settlement there in 1493. The station for taxis and buses is located next to the market area in the capital city.
Yellow taxis are also available to take you around but these might not be the most convenient for day trips, especially if you would like to explore some remote areas where a 4X4 car is recommended. Instead, I would recommend renting a car, using transportation options your hotel offers or taking a tour. In São Tomé, there are some minibuses you can take but these are not the most efficient for sightseeing. There are regular daily flights to Príncipe from São Tomé. I only had a chance to visit the larger island, São Tomé Island, but next time I would definitely visit Príncipe as well. The country consists of two main islands: São Tomé Island and Príncipe Island. TAAG Angola Airlines flies to São Tomé from Luanda, Angola, on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. It’s a direct flight, although with a quick stop in Accra. There are three weekly flights with the Portuguese airline TAP from Lisbon to São Tomé on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
#HIDDEN ISLANDS TO VISIT PLUS#
This a dream destination for nature lovers!Īll of the EU citizens, plus citizens of Andorra, Angola, Brazil, Canada, Cape Verde, East Timor, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea Bissau, Iceland, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Morocco, Mozambique, Norway, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, South Korea, Switzerland, Turkey the United States and the Vatican can get in to São Tomé and Príncipe visa-free and stay for up to 15 days. I was just amazed at how beautiful it was and how friendly and warm the local people were.
Traveling around the country, I was wondering how is it possible that not more people know about this place. Unlike Comoros, São Tomé and Príncipe is more tourist-friendly and has more hotel options and even some tour companies. São Tomé and Príncipe has a completely different vibe and I was pleasantly surprised to find out how safe, organized and lush green the country is. São Tomé and Príncipe is one of those travel destinations not many people have even heard of so it’s a perfect choice for someone who wants to get off the beaten path but still prefers a laidback and easy destination.īefore visiting São Tomé and Príncipe, I was expecting it to be a little bit similar to Comoros, another small less-known island nation in Africa, but I couldn’t be more wrong. This two-island nation is located in West Africa and is a former Portuguese colony and the second smallest country in Africa. São Tomé and Príncipe is a true hidden gem in Africa and a paradise island like no other.
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