Equatorial Guinea travel guide

Getting there

The main international airports are in Malabo on Bioko and in Bata on the mainland. Land borders with Cameroon and Gabon exist but may be restricted, so check before travelling overland.

Best time to visit: Dec–Feb – the drier season on Bioko.

Tougher months: June-October on Bioko's south coast and in Malabo's wettest months (September-October), when heavy rain makes rural roads difficult.

Weather by month in Malabo

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Average daytime highs in °C; dots show how rainy the month is (one dot dry, three dots wet).

Time zone: Africa/Lagos. Compare with your local time.

Visas: in our passport dataset, 5 of 198 other passports can enter Equatorial Guinea without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 193 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.

Background: Visa policy of Equatorial Guinea (Wikipedia).

Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2025-10-07). Read the advisory.

Source and more: Equatorial Guinea travel facts on RoamSun

Stay

Most trips to Equatorial Guinea are based around Malabo, Pico Basilé or Ureca & the Bioko south coast. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.

Typical daily budget: about US$80–120 for a backpacker and US$180–300 mid-range, per person.

Source: RoamSun Equatorial Guinea page · Browse hotel guides

Connect

Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.

Calling code: +240.

Mobile data: read the travel eSIM setup guide before you fly so the plan is installed and ready on landing.

Source: Advinne eSIM guide · RoamSun

Do

• Malabo (Bioko · capital): The capital, mixing Spanish colonial streets with modern oil-era districts on the edge of a volcano.
• Pico Basilé (Bioko · volcano): The country's highest point, with misty forests and sweeping views.
• Ureca & the Bioko south coast (Bioko · turtles & rainforest): A remote, protected area of beaches and forest important for sea turtles and primates.
• Moka (Bioko highlands · nature): A cool upland area with crater lakes, waterfalls and Bubi villages.
• Bata (Río Muni · mainland city): The largest city on the mainland, with a seafront promenade and markets.
• Monte Alén National Park (Río Muni · rainforest): A large rainforest reserve with rivers, waterfalls and rich wildlife.
• Corisco Island (Gulf of Guinea · beaches): A quiet island known for its pristine beaches near the Gabon border.

Things to do

• Stroll colonial Malabo. Admire the twin-spired Gothic-revival cathedral and old Spanish buildings around the Plaza de España.
• Watch turtles at Ureca. Visit the remote black-sand beaches of southern Bioko where several sea turtle species nest in season.
• Look out from Pico Basilé. Drive up the island's highest peak for views over Bioko and, on clear days, Mount Cameroon.
• Explore the Moka highlands. Visit the cool, green highland village of Moka with its crater lakes and forest walks.
• Trek in Monte Alén. Hike through primary rainforest on the mainland looking for primates, birds and forest elephants.
• Walk Bata's seafront. Stroll the long modern promenade in the mainland's largest city.
• Relax on Corisco Island. Find white-sand beaches and clear water on this small island off the mainland coast.
• Taste local dishes. Try grilled fish, pepper soup and plantain dishes alongside Spanish-influenced fare.

Source: full Equatorial Guinea guide on RoamSun

Eat and drink

• Pepesoup – spicy fish or meat soup
• Grilled fish with fried plantains
• Cassava and peanut stews
• Fresh tropical fruit – pineapple, mango and papaya

Source: RoamSun Equatorial Guinea guide

Money and safety

Currency: Central African CFA franc (XAF). Currency and plug checker.

Tipping: Not expected; about 10% in restaurants is appreciated.

Emergency numbers: 114 police · 115 fire.

• The currency is the Central African CFA franc; bring euros to exchange, as cash is king.
• International cards and ATMs are unreliable, so plan to carry sufficient cash.
• Always carry your passport and documents, as police checkpoints are common.
• Photography of government buildings, the presidential palace, airports and security forces is prohibited - ask before photographing anything official.

Source: RoamSun Equatorial Guinea facts