Pico Cão Grande, São Tomé, São Tomé and PríncipePhoto: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe, made simple: chocolate islands on the Equator, without the worry
São Tomé and Príncipe is Africa's second smallest country, two green volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea with old cocoa plantations, empty beaches, rainforest peaks and a famously gentle pace of life summed up in two words: leve leve. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, cash, health, seasons and getting around, so you can relax from the moment you land.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, cash in euros, health and seasons, answered
- LandingSão Tomé airport and the first hour explained
- Your days on the islandsPlantations, beaches, forest and Príncipe, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
Our local picks
Restaurants, things to do and nightlife
Our hand-picked spots in Nairobi and beyond, from must-haves to off the beaten path.
See our picksSearch & book
Flights, stays and travel essentials
Search flights to São Tomé and Príncipe and places to stay, and get set before you go.
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- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain what costs more and what costs less, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
São Tomé and Príncipe should feel like slowing down, not stressing out. We answer the tricky questions about cash, flights and seasons before they start, so you arrive ready to find your Bliss.
Coming from Portugal, Angola or beyond to see family in São Tomé, Trindade or Santo António? This guide was written with you in mind too.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your islandsSão Tomé city, the wild north coast, the misty highlands, the deep south or tiny Príncipe: start with the destinations that fit you.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, enough cash in euros, malaria advice and the best season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for roças, beaches, waterfalls, chocolate, food and stays.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to shape your days and decide how long to give Príncipe.
Everything your São Tomé and Príncipe trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
São Tomé city, the north coast, the highlands, the south and Príncipe, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred plantations, beaches, waterfalls, cafés and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into São Tomé and stays across both islands.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic São Tomé and Príncipe trip
Two islands, one slow rhythm
A first trip usually starts in São Tomé city, loops up the north coast to Lagoa Azul and Santa Catarina, climbs into the cool highlands around Monte Café and Bom Sucesso, then heads south past Pico Cão Grande to the beaches near Porto Alegre and Ilhéu das Rolas. Save a few days for Príncipe, a short flight away and a UNESCO biosphere reserve.
- Colonial roças where cocoa and coffee made the islands famous
- Pico Cão Grande, the needle of rock rising from the forest
- Sea turtles nesting on southern and northern beaches
- Príncipe's untouched coves and the Roça Sundy eclipse story
Start with the destinations
See how the city, the coasts, the highlands and Príncipe fit together.
São Tomé and Príncipe destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Flights are few, foreign cards rarely work and roads in the south are slow, so a good plan matters here more than most places. Our free planner helps you build a realistic route with time for rain, flight changes and the leve leve pace.
- Realistic drive times around São Tomé island
- Reminders to bring enough cash and book Príncipe flights early
- Ideas that suit your interests and budget
Where to go in São Tomé and Príncipe
From the faded colonial capital to rainforest peaks, turtle beaches and the quiet island of Príncipe.
Água Grande
São Tomé City
A small, slow colonial capital with a fort museum, pastel cathedral, busy market and world famous chocolate.
Read the guidePhoto: Maria Cartas from Porto, Portugal, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Lobata and Lembá
The north coast
Baobab-lined bays, turtle beaches, fishing towns and the dramatic road to Santa Catarina.
Read the guidePhoto: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mé-Zóchi
The central highlands and Obô
Cool, misty mountains with coffee plantations, a botanical garden, crater lake hikes and the islands' highest peak.
Read the guidePhoto: Philippe Bourachot, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Caué
The south coast and Ilhéu das Rolas
Wild beaches, turtle nesting, the needle of Pico Cão Grande and the Equator line on Ilhéu das Rolas.
Read the guidePhoto: Ji-Elle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Autonomous Region of Príncipe
Príncipe
A small, forested UNESCO biosphere island with perfect beaches, restored roças and one of the world's tiniest capitals.
Read the guidePhoto: Josep M. Gracia, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is São Tomé and Príncipe safe for visitors?
It is generally one of the calmer, friendlier places to travel in Africa, with low levels of serious crime. Petty theft and bag snatching do happen in São Tomé city, so keep valuables out of sight and read your government's current travel advice before booking.
Do I need a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe?
Many nationalities, including citizens of much of Europe and North America, have been able to visit visa free for short stays, while others need a visa arranged in advance. Rules vary by passport and change, so check the official migration service and your own government's advice before you book.
Can I use my bank card?
Rarely. Most foreign cards do not work in local ATMs and few businesses take cards, so bring enough euros in cash for your whole trip and change them into dobras as you go.
What language is spoken?
Portuguese is the official language and the one you will use most. Forro, Angolar and Lung'ie creoles are spoken in daily life, and French and English are limited outside hotels and guides.
When is the best time to visit?
The drier gravana season from June to September is the most popular time, and December to February is a shorter dry spell. Turtle nesting runs roughly from October to March, so many visitors aim for the turn of the year.
How do I get help planning?
Use our free trip planner to shape your route, or send a question through our contact page.
Ready to find your Bliss in São Tomé and Príncipe?
Use the free trip planner to turn ideas into a route that fits your dates and budget.