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Sao Tome and Principe travel guide
Chocolate islands on the equator, wild and green.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a tiny island country in the Gulf of Guinea, off Central Africa. It is known for rainforest, volcanic peaks, quiet beaches and old cocoa plantations called roças.
Travel tools
Getting there
São Tomé International Airport receives a limited number of flights, mainly via Lisbon and nearby African hubs. Príncipe is reached by short domestic flights or occasional boats.
Best time to visit: Jun–Sep – the drier gravana season.
Tougher months: March–May and October–November: the wettest months, especially in the south.
Weather by month in São Tomé
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- 29°J
- 28°J
- 28°A
- 29°S
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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/Sao_Tome. Compare with your local time.
Visas: in our passport dataset, 58 of 198 other passports can enter Sao Tome and Principe without arranging a visa first (visa-free or visa on arrival), 140 need an e-visa or electronic authorisation, and 0 need a visa in advance. Check your passport.
Background: Visa policy of São Tomé and Príncipe (Wikipedia).
Official advisory: Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (U.S. Department of State, updated 2026-09-04). Read the advisory.
Source and more: Sao Tome and Principe travel facts on RoamSun
Stay
Most trips to Sao Tome and Principe are based around São Tomé city, Obô Natural Park or Pico Cão Grande. Pick a base for your main interest, then add day trips rather than moving hotels every night.
Typical daily budget: about US$45–70 for a backpacker and US$100–200 mid-range, per person.
Source: RoamSun Sao Tome and Principe page · Browse hotel guides
Connect
Plug types: C, F. Voltage: 220 V. Check your own devices on the plug and currency checker.
Calling code: +239.
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
- São Tomé city (Capital · colonial town): A sleepy capital of pastel buildings, a fort museum and busy markets.
- Obô Natural Park (São Tomé · rainforest): Cloud forest, waterfalls and rare endemic birds in the island's mountainous heart.
- Pico Cão Grande (Southern São Tomé · volcanic peak): A striking volcanic plug surrounded by jungle.
- Príncipe (Island · UNESCO Biosphere Reserve): A wild island of pristine forests, beaches and quiet villages.
- Ilhéu das Rolas (Islet · equator): A tiny island where the equator crosses, with beaches and walking trails.
- Roça Agostinho Neto (São Tomé · plantation heritage): One of the largest historic cocoa plantations, with an impressive former hospital.
Things to do
- See Pico Cão Grande. Gaze up at a dramatic volcanic needle rising out of the rainforest in the south of São Tomé.
- Stand on the equator. Cross the equator line on Ilhéu das Rolas, a small island off São Tomé's southern tip.
- Explore a cocoa roça. Wander the grand colonial plantation estates, some now restored as guesthouses.
- Hike to Lagoa Amélia. Trek through Obô Natural Park's cloud forest to a crater lake rich in endemic birds.
- Taste chocolate and coffee. Learn how local beans are grown and processed into fine chocolate.
- Watch turtles nest. Join a conservation project to see sea turtles nest on beaches between November and February.
- Relax on Praia Banana. Swim at Príncipe's famous palm-fringed beach.
- Feel the Boca do Inferno. Watch waves blast through a blowhole on São Tomé's east coast.
Eat and drink
- Calulu – fish or chicken stew with greens and palm oil
- Grilled fish – fresh catch with banana or breadfruit
- Fruta-pão – breadfruit, roasted or fried
- Local chocolate – made from island cocoa
Money and safety
Currency: São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN). Currency and plug checker.
Tipping: Not expected but appreciated.
- The currency is the dobra; euros are widely used for larger transactions.
- International cards and ATMs are unreliable, so bring enough cash, ideally euros.
- São Tomé and Príncipe is generally peaceful and safe, but take normal precautions with valuables.
- Roads in the south can be rough; use experienced drivers in the rainy season.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Sao Tome and Principe?
Jun–Sep – the drier gravana season. Hot and humid tropical climate, with a drier season mid-year.
What time zone is Sao Tome and Principe in?
Sao Tome and Principe uses Africa/Sao_Tome.
Do I need a visa for Sao Tome and Principe?
It depends on your passport. In our dataset 58 of 198 other passports can enter without a prior visa, 140 need an e-visa or eTA and 0 need a visa in advance. Use the visa checker and confirm with the official government source.
What plug and voltage does Sao Tome and Principe use?
Sao Tome and Principe uses plug type C, F at 220 V. Check whether your devices are dual-voltage before you plug in.
What is the calling code for Sao Tome and Principe?
The international calling code for Sao Tome and Principe is +239.
Do you tip in Sao Tome and Principe?
Not expected but appreciated.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Sao Tome and Principe?
Traffic drives on the right.