Western AfricaGuinea is a country in West Africa with its capital in Conakry. It is also called Guinea-Conakry to distinguish it from Guinea-Bissau and Equatorial Guinea. It has forests, mountains and beaches, but limited infrastructure makes travel difficult.
Why go
Hike among waterfalls, cliffs and wide views in Fouta Djallon.
Explore beaches at Cape Verga and along the coast.
Visit the islands of Loos by boat from Conakry.
Hear live music and see traditional dance.
Visit Conakry's National Museum to learn about Guinea's ethnic groups.
Getting there
By air
- Royal Air Maroc connects Conakry with European cities through Casablanca.
- Air France flies from Paris, and Brussels Airlines flies from Brussels.
- Arrange for hotel staff, family or a business contact to meet you at the airport. Uninvited offers of help can lead to theft.
By land
- You can cross from Senegal, but the journey requires patience. The source describes a 20 km stretch between the border posts.
- Koundara is a starting point for travel to Guinea-Bissau.
- Taking a car or motorcycle across the Kopoto–Kambia border with Sierra Leone requires vehicle permits. Proof of vehicle insurance may also be needed.
Customs
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required to enter.
- Make visa enquiries through a Guinean embassy. The source says these enquiries are not handled at borders or the airport.
Getting around
Taxis in Conakry
Taxis are described as inexpensive and can be hired for half a day or a full day. Expect the driver to stop for fuel soon after you get in. Fuel queues can be long and disorganised. Allow extra time for heavy traffic, especially at rush hour.
Shared vans
Local transport vans in Conakry can be extremely crowded. The city centre sits at the end of a narrow peninsula connected to the rest of the city by two roads.
Shared taxis between cities
Shared taxis, often called bush taxis or "504", carry passengers between cities. Departure times are unreliable, so keep your schedule flexible. The source reports a night curfew affecting entry into Conakry. Travellers arriving by road at night may have to wait outside until morning.
Motorcycle taxis
Motorcycles often serve as taxis. The source describes them as a faster way to travel.
What to see and do
National Museum, Conakry
See displays about Guinea's ethnic groups, including traditional instruments and masks.
Islands of Loos
Take a boat from Conakry's main port for a day trip or overnight stay.
Cape Verga
Explore some of Guinea's best beaches.
Dalaba
Visit an old mansion and a ceremonial hut with carved interiors.
Boke's colonial museum
Visit a museum in the administrative centre of Guinea's main bauxite mining region.
Tristao islands
This isolated island group is home to manatees, turtles and many kinds of birds.
Food and drink
Rice with sauce
Small local restaurants serve Guinean-style rice with sauce, sometimes with beef or fish.
Beef
The source recommends Guinea's beef.
Fresh fruit
Pineapples are sold along roads around Kindia. Mangoes, oranges and bananas are also widely available.
Lebanese restaurants
Some serve European-style breakfasts.
Meals in local homes
Hosts may invite you to share a meal from one large dish. Bring bottled water.
Bottled water
Coyah bottled water is widely available. Drink water from unopened bottles.
Money
Guinean franc (GNF), also written as FG, Fr or GFr.
- Banknotes come in values of 500, 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 francs.
- Haggle when shopping for crafts and clothing, especially near major hotels where opening prices are higher.
- The source suggests starting at half the seller's opening price. Be ready to walk away if you cannot agree.
- Food and drink prices can rise suddenly without explanation.
Typical costs
- The source gives FG20,000 as an example price for a meal.
- Simple local meals outside Conakry are listed at FG3,000–6,000.
- A porter at Madina market is listed at about FG5,000.
- A 1.5-litre bottle of Coyah water is listed at about US$0.50.
Language
- French is the official language.
- Susu is widely spoken in the coastal region.
- Pular, also called Foulah or Peuhl, is widely spoken in Fouta Djallon.
- Malinke is widely spoken in Haute Guinee.
- Toma, Guerzé and Kissi are among the languages spoken in the southern forest region.
- Many people speak no English, including in Conakry.
- Ça va ?
- How are you?
- Et la famille, la santé, le boulot/les études ?
- And how are your family, health, work or studies?
- Prochainement
- Another time; a polite response if you cannot accept an invitation.
- Tout de suite
- Right away; transport may still be delayed even when you hear this.
Staying safe
- Avoid demonstrations and crowded areas where violence could break out. General strikes can disrupt services.
- Border areas can be unsafe because of military and rebel activity.
- Watch for theft and violent crime, especially at the airport, markets, hotels and restaurants used by foreigners.
- Arrange a trusted airport pickup and avoid uninvited offers of help.
Local customs
Do
- Greet people before getting to the point. Asking about family, health, work or studies is appreciated.
- Use your right hand to greet, eat and exchange money.
- Women should wear clothing that covers the stomach through the knees. A headscarf is not required.
- Cover tattoos and body piercings where possible.
- Accept invitations to share a meal when you can. If you cannot, politely suggest another time.
Don't
- Do not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours in Ramadan. Many restaurants close until dusk.
- Do not use your left hand for greetings, eating or exchanging money; it is considered unclean.
- Avoid see-through clothing, bare midriffs, short skirts and shorts in public.
Staying healthy
- Medical facilities are limited and poorly equipped. Some private clinics in Conakry offer more treatment options than public facilities.
- The source says ambulance and emergency rescue services are unavailable, and care for serious injuries is extremely limited.
- Tap water is unsafe to drink. Use bottled water from unopened bottles.
- Malaria is common. Take preventive malaria medicine and cover exposed skin in the evening and early morning.
Phone and internet
- Members of the French-Guinean Cultural Centre can use its computers and internet.
Where to stay
- Outside Conakry, accommodation can be basic, with limited electricity supplied by generators.
- Koundara has places to stay that the source describes as decent and very cheap.
- Bel Air has a large beach hotel and is popular around major holidays.
- Sabolan Village has about ten modern huts and a restaurant by the beach.
Outdoor adventures in Guinea
Guinea has mountain hikes, waterfalls, forested islands and quiet beaches. Fouta Djallon is a main hiking area, while national parks and the Tristao islands offer wildlife watching. Roads, accommodation and electricity can be limited outside Conakry.
Fouta Djallon village and waterfall hikes
HikeMoyenne Guinee
3–5 days, or a tailored tourJoin a hiking tour with Fouta Trekking, a local non-profit. Tours include stays in villages.
- Roads and accommodation outside Conakry are limited.
- Basic places to stay may have only generator-powered electricity.
Mount Nimba
TrekGuinee Forestiere
Mount Nimba is a trekking destination. A starting point, guide service and access route are not specified.
- Border areas are described as unsafe because of military and rebel activity.
Loos Islands
BeacheGuinee Maritimenear Conakry
Day trip or overnight stayTake a boat from Conakry. Departure points described include the main port near the President's Palace and the fish market behind the Novotel Hotel.
National Park of the Upper Niger
WildlifeHaute Guinee
Visit the park for wildlife watching. Access routes and tour arrangements are not specified.
Badiar National Park
WildlifeAlong the Senegal border
Dry seasonVisit this savanna park for wildlife watching. Access routes and tour arrangements are not specified.
- Border areas are described as unsafe because of military and rebel activity.
Cape Verga beaches
BeacheGuinee Maritime
Explore the beaches at Cape Verga. Transport details are not specified.
Bel Air
BeacheGuinee Maritimenear Conakry
Travel from Conakry on a well-paved road. The journey takes about two hours.
Sabolan Village beach
BeacheGuinee Maritime
Turn off the paved road leading to the Bel Air hotel to reach Sabolan Village. Stay at the small beach hotel, or follow the beach or path past the village for locally run huts and camping.
Tristao islands
WildlifeNear the Guinea-Bissau bordernear Kamsar
Drive from Conakry to Kamsar, then take a local passenger boat. The crossing takes four hours. Boats usually run once or twice a week.
- Fishing boats may be heavily loaded and less safe than the passenger boat.
- The islands are very isolated.
Soumba waterfalls swimming
More to doNear Dubrekanear Conakry
Drive about two hours from Conakry to the waterfalls, a short distance beyond Dubreka.
Le Pont De Dieu natural bridge
HikeMoyenne Guineenear Dalaba
Leave Dalaba heading east, cross Dara, then turn right at the crossing to reach the natural bridge.
Chutes de Ditinn waterfall
More to doMoyenne Guineenear Dalaba
Visit the waterfall in the Dalaba area. An access route and transport details are not specified.
Milo River visit
More to doHaute Guineenear Kankan
Avoid March–May because of intense heat in Kankan.Visit the Milo River while in Kankan. A specific access point and organised activities are not specified.
- Kankan has relentless heat from March to May.
Airports, metros and trains in Guinea
Airports with scheduled flights
- CKYAhmed Sékou Touré International AirportConakryMain international airport
Trains
- Rail network
- 837 km
People and safety in Guinea
Religion
Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.
- Muslim84%
- Christian11%
- Folk religions3%
- No religion2%
LGBT+ travellers
Same-sex relationships are illegal
- The law allows up to 10 years in prison.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.
Women travellers
Ranked #154 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
56% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 24 of 198 countries can visit Guinea easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required23
- Visa on arrival1
- eVisa170
- Visa required4
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Africa22 of 53 countries
- Asia2 of 50 countries
- Europe0 of 46 countries
- Americas0 of 35 countries
- Oceania0 of 14 countries
Questions
Is Guinea the same country as Equatorial Guinea?
No. Guinea is a separate country in West Africa, also called Guinea-Conakry.
When is the rainy season?
In coastal Guinea and much of the interior, it lasts from April to November. Haute Guinee has a shorter rainy season.
Can I get by with English?
Many people speak no English, even in Conakry. French is the official language.
Are there passenger trains?
No. The source says Guinea has no operating passenger trains.
What money does Guinea use?
Guinea uses the Guinean franc, with the currency code GNF. Prices may also use FG, Fr or GFr.
Can I drink tap water?
Tap water is unsafe to drink. Use bottled water from unopened bottles.
What is accommodation like outside Conakry?
Places to stay can be basic. Electricity may be limited and supplied by generators.
Can I photograph government and military buildings?
Avoid photographing political buildings and military bases. It can be treated as spying and lead to jail.
Should I bargain when shopping?
Yes, especially for crafts and clothing near major hotels. The source suggests starting at half the opening price and walking away if you cannot agree.
What should I expect during Ramadan?
Many restaurants close until dusk, and working hours are reduced. Avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.
Reviewed by @snuck