Western Africa
Western AfricaGuinea-BissauTravel guide
Guinea-Bissau is a country on the west coast of Africa. It has tropical forests, fishing communities and the Bijagós Islands, which draw most visitors. Bissau is the capital.
Why go
Visit the Bijagós Islands for beaches and wildlife, including turtles and hippos.
Explore the forests of Jemberem in Cantanhez Natural Park, where you may see chimpanzees.
Relax at Varela Beach.
Browse Bandim Market, the largest market in the country.
Getting there
By air
- Bissau-Bissalanca is the country's only international airport.
- Flights are available from Abidjan, Casablanca, Dakar, Praia, Istanbul, Lomé and Lisbon.
- Airport officials may ask for bribes. Politely decline; the source says they will not press further.
By land
- Buses and minibuses run to Bissau from Senegal, Gambia and Guinea.
- From Ziguinchor in Senegal, the journey takes about 3–4 hours by car or shared seven-seat Peugeot, depending on border formalities.
- The Senegal border closes after sunset.
By sea
- There is a sea route between Dakar and Bissau.
- Boats also travel to and between the Bijagós Islands.
Getting around
City minibuses and taxis
In Bissau, minibuses called toca-toca carry passengers around the city. Regular taxis are also available. You can hire a taxi to travel to other towns and cities.
Shared cars and larger vehicles
Shared seven-seat Peugeots are called sept-places. Larger vehicles called candongas carry 10–20 passengers. Prefer a sept-place, or try to get a front seat in a larger vehicle. Bissau's main bus station is behind the Central Bank of West African States on Airport Road. For Biombo or Prabis, use the station in Estrada de Bor. Vehicles leave when full, with no fixed timetable. They usually fill faster around 07:00, and transport can be hard to find late in the day.
Boats and ferries
Cheap canoes leave from Porto Pidjiguiti and Porto de Bandim, but they are described as unsafe. French fishing lodges on the Bijagós Islands own more expensive modern boats. Consulmar Guinea Bissau runs a more orderly ferry service between Bissau and several ports, though the ferries are basic. Check sailing times in advance because tides and weather affect schedules.
Cycling
The country is very flat, with very little road traffic outside Bissau. Bicycles can be bought locally.
What to see and do
Bijagós Islands
A beautiful group of islands with some resorts and wildlife, including turtles and hippos.
Cantanhez Natural Park
The forests of Jemberem offer a chance to see chimpanzees.
Varela Beach
One of the country's notable beaches.
Browse Bandim Market
The country's largest market sits on the main road into Bissau and sells many kinds of goods.
Visit a countryside market
Markets called Lumo in larger countryside towns let farmers and merchants sell or trade goods.
Cycle outside Bissau
Flat land and very little road traffic outside the capital make cycling an option.
Food and drink
Rice and fish
A common local meal, with relatively cheap rice and plentiful fish.
Palm oil and peanut sauce dishes
Meals may include palm oil, peanut sauce and vegetables.
Seasonal fruit
Look for mangos, papayas, oranges, grapefruits and bananas, depending on the season.
Fole
A sour local fruit.
Street snacks
Options include sandwiches filled with hard-boiled egg, omelette, fish or beef, plus doughnuts and cake.
Warga
Strong, sweet green tea.
Money
West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Ecobank cash machines in Bissau accept Mastercard and Visa for withdrawals.
- Cash machines at BAO bank branches in Bissau and Gabú, and at Hotel Malaika in Bissau, require a local account with that bank.
- Western Union operates in Bissau, Bafatá, Gabú, Buba, Canchungo and Mansoa. It charges a 10% commission.
- The currency is fixed to the euro at €1 = 655.957 CFA francs.
Typical costs
- An MTN prepaid phone card costs 500 CFA francs.
- Hotels in Bissau are described as generally overpriced.
- Rice and fish meals are relatively cheap; meals with beef, goat, chicken or pork cost more.
- Imported fruit in central Bissau is described as more expensive than in Europe.
Language
- Portuguese is the official language and is used for writing.
- A Portuguese-based Creole is the common language used between local people.
- Local languages include Fula, Balanta, Mandinka, Pepel and Bijago.
- Some people from other African countries speak English or French.
- Ke ku bu misti?
- What do you want?
- N mistil
- I want it.
- N ka mistil
- I don't want it.
Staying safe
- Petty theft and violent crime are serious concerns, and law enforcement is limited.
- Avoid political demonstrations and large military gatherings in the streets.
- Check your government's travel warnings before travelling.
- Do not trust hotel safes. Avoid nightclubs that are not attached to major hotels.
Local customs
Do
- Ask before photographing people, especially for close-up pictures.
- Ask permission before photographing military sites.
- Respect wildlife and leave natural places as you found them.
- During Ramadan, expect many restaurants to stay closed until dusk and some businesses to work shorter hours.
Don't
- Do not eat or drink in public during daylight hours in Ramadan; this is considered very impolite even for non-Muslims.
- Do not feed or touch wild animals.
- Avoid buying wild game meat, as the source warns that animals hunted for it are endangered.
Staying healthy
- Before travelling, make sure your yellow fever, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations are up to date.
- Consult a doctor about medicine to prevent malaria, which the source strongly recommends.
- Depending on your stay, discuss hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis and tuberculosis vaccinations with a doctor.
- Seek medical help as quickly as possible after a bite from a dog, cat, monkey or bat, even if you have had a rabies vaccination.
Phone and internet
- MTN, Orange and Guinétel sell prepaid mobile phone cards around the country.
- An MTN card costs 500 CFA francs.
- Calls abroad or within the same mobile network are described as easy, but calls between different networks can be difficult.
- Central Bissau has many internet cafés, though some are hard to spot from outside. Ask locally.
Where to stay
- Hotels in Bissau are generally described as overpriced.
- Most towns outside Bissau have hotels or rooms to rent.
- The Bijagós Islands mainly have French-run hotels, which the source recommends.
Outdoor adventures in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau has tropical islands, quiet beaches and forests. The Bijagós Islands are the main draw, with hippos on Orango and turtle nesting grounds on other islands.
Bijagós Islands nature and turtle watching
WildlifeBijagós Archipelago
Visit the archipelago for island nature experiences and turtle nesting grounds. Some islands have resorts, and many have fishing lodges. Transport details and specific turtle-watching locations are not available.
- Respect wildlife. Do not feed or touch animals.
- Drink only bottled or filtered water.
Orango hippo watching
WildlifeBijagós Archipelago
Visit Orango island to see hippos. Transport and guided-visit details are not available.
- Wild animals can be dangerous. Do not feed or touch them.
Varela Beach
BeacheVarelanear São Domingos
Reach Varela along a 50 km dirt road from São Domingos. There is an Italian-owned hotel at Varela.
- The access road is bumpy.
Jemberem forests chimpanzee watching
WildlifeCantanhez Natural Park
Visit the forests of Jemberem in Cantanhez Natural Park. Transport and guided-visit details are not available.
- Respect wildlife. Do not feed or touch animals.
Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park visit
More to do
Visit Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park. Access routes and visitor arrangements are not detailed.
Airports, metros and trains in Guinea-Bissau
Airports with scheduled flights
- OXBOsvaldo Vieira International AirportBissauMain international airport
People and safety in Guinea-Bissau
Religion
No single faith is a majority. Very mixed.
- Muslim45%
- Folk religions28%
- Christian20%
- No religion4%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Some laws protect against discrimination.
Women travellers
Ranked #159 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
48% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 197 of 198 countries can visit Guinea-Bissau easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required14
- Visa on arrival183
- Visa required1
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.
- Africa53 of 53 countries
- Asia50 of 50 countries
- Americas35 of 35 countries
- Oceania14 of 14 countries
- Europe45 of 46 countries
Questions
What weather should I expect?
It is warm all year, with an average temperature of 26.3°C. Most rain falls from June to September or October, while December to April is dry.
Can I use English?
Some people from other African countries speak English or French. Portuguese is the official language, and Portuguese-based Creole is the common spoken language.
Can I withdraw money with my bank card?
Ecobank cash machines in Bissau accept Mastercard and Visa. The listed BAO machines require a local account with that bank.
Do shared cars have departure times?
No. They leave when full, and usually fill faster around 07:00; transport can be hard to find late in the afternoon or evening.
How do I reach the Bijagós Islands?
Options include basic Consulmar ferries and more expensive modern boats owned by fishing lodges. Cheap canoes also operate, but the source describes them as unsafe.
What food is common?
Rice with fish is a common meal. Street snacks include filled sandwiches, doughnuts and cake.
Is the drinking water safe?
Visitors should drink only bottled, filtered or boiled water.
Where can I find somewhere to stay?
Bissau has hotels, though they are described as generally overpriced. Most other towns have hotels or rooms to rent, and the Bijagós Islands mainly have French-run hotels.
Can I photograph local people?
Always ask first, especially for close-up photos. Some people welcome photos, while others may be upset.
What electricity supply is used?
The supply is 220 volts at 50 hertz, using Europlug sockets.
Reviewed by @snuck