Entry and visas
São Tomé and Príncipe has allowed visa-free entry for stays of up to 15 days to citizens of many countries, including the Schengen states, the UK, the USA and Canada. Longer stays, and other nationalities, need a visa, which can be requested online in advance.
Your passport should be valid for at least six months. You may be asked for a return ticket and proof of accommodation. Entry rules are revised from time to time — check the official e-visa portal or your nearest São Toméan embassy before you travel.
Money
The currency is the dobra (STN), pegged to the euro at 24.5 dobras to one euro. Euros are widely accepted directly by hotels, guides and drivers.
This is a cash economy. Cards are taken at only a few top hotels, and visitors have long reported that local ATMs do not accept foreign cards, or do so unreliably. The safe approach is to bring enough euros in cash for the whole trip — in clean notes, including small denominations — and change some at a bank or your hotel. Dobras cannot easily be exchanged abroad, so do not change more than you need.
What things cost
Local food, shared taxis and guesthouses are inexpensive. What pushes budgets up is imported goods, private transport and the high-end lodges, especially on Príncipe. A car with driver for a day, the inter-island flight and guided hikes are the main extras to plan for; ask for current prices when you book.
Health
- Yellow fever: a vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from, or have transited through, a country with risk of yellow fever — which includes several of the African gateways. Carry your certificate.
- Malaria: the islands have cut malaria dramatically but it has not been eliminated. Ask a travel clinic about prophylaxis and use repellent and a net.
- Water and food: drink bottled or treated water. Freshly cooked fish and fruit you peel yourself are safe bets.
- Medical care: facilities are basic, particularly on Príncipe. Bring any medication you need and take insurance that covers medical evacuation.
Safety
The country is peaceful and visitors generally feel very safe. Use ordinary care with valuables in the capital and on beaches. The real hazards are natural: strong currents on exposed beaches, slippery forest trails, falling coconuts and long drives on poor roads. Hike with a guide in Obô National Park.
Language and people
Portuguese is the official language. Most Santomeans also speak a creole — Forro on São Tomé, Angolar in the south-east and Lung’ie on Príncipe. French is understood by some, thanks to the francophone neighbours, and English is limited to tourism staff. A few words of Portuguese go a long way.
The phrase you will hear most is leve-leve — literally “lightly, lightly”. It is a greeting, a philosophy and a warning that nothing will be hurried. Ask before photographing people, especially in the roça communities, which are people’s homes.
Food and drink
The cooking is built on the sea and the forest garden: grilled fish with fried banana and breadfruit, octopus, the big santola crab of the north-west, and calulu, a slow-cooked stew of smoked fish or chicken with greens and palm oil. Fruit is superb — jackfruit, papaya, mango, safou.
Coffee from Monte Café and single-estate chocolate are the classic souvenirs. Local beer and fresh palm wine are the everyday drinks.
Nature and wildlife
Long isolation has made the islands a hotspot of endemism: roughly 28 bird species are found nowhere else, along with giant begonias, endemic frogs and hundreds of plants. Birders come for the São Tomé dwarf ibis, giant sunbird and Príncipe thrush.
Sea turtles nest on beaches of both islands from roughly November to March, humpback whales pass from about July to October, and there is diving and snorkelling over volcanic reefs year-round. See when to go for the calendar.
Connectivity and power
Local SIM cards with data are sold in the capital; coverage is reasonable around towns and thin in the south and in the forest. Hotel wifi is often slow. Electricity is 220 V with European-style two-pin plugs, and power cuts happen — pack a torch and a power bank.
What to pack
- Euros in cash, a copy of your passport and your yellow fever certificate
- Light, quick-drying clothes and a rain jacket in any season
- Walking shoes with grip for muddy trails; sandals for the beach
- Insect repellent, sun protection and a basic medical kit
- Mask and snorkel, a dry bag for boat trips, a torch
Travelling responsibly
Tourism income matters here and is spread thinly. Hire local guides, eat at community restaurants, pay the small fees asked at roças and turtle projects, and never buy turtle-shell products. Keep your distance from nesting turtles and follow the rangers’ instructions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the time zone?
UTC/GMT all year — the same as Lisbon in winter and one hour behind it in summer.
Is it suitable for families?
Yes, for families comfortable with simple infrastructure. Children are welcomed everywhere, but distances, heat and limited medical care mean it suits older children better.
Is it accessible for travellers with reduced mobility?
Only partly. Larger hotels have step-free rooms, but pavements are uneven, most sights involve rough ground and boats are boarded from the beach. Discuss needs with your hotel in advance.
Can I drink the tap water?
No — stick to bottled or treated water.
