Sao Tome

Cruise ships dock 2-3 km from the town center.

Bring along a printable map.

Sao Tome cruise schedule

São Tomé and Príncipe, often shortened to "São Tomé", is a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off Central Africa’s Atlantic coast. It straddles the Equator and lies west of Gabon.

After dark, it is dead and dark, with no street lights, so try to cram as much activity as possible into the day. Tourists are only starting to discover the island’s loud capped volcanoes, thick jungle, and empty but stunningly beautiful beaches.

On arrival, documents are required: a yellow vaccination card proving that you have been vaccinated against Yellow fever. You must also protect yourself against Malaria. Some countries additionally recommend vaccination against Cholera, Typhoid Fever and Polio. As recommendations for travelling abroad vary by country, consult your doctor for specific advice.

São Tomé is an off-the-beaten-path tropical paradise of pristine isolated beaches, secluded waterfalls, bird watching and lush rainforests. This tiny volcanic island, discovered and claimed by Portugal in the late 15th century, has a distinctive mix of Creole and Portuguese. Hike to Pico de São Tomé’s peak for spectacular views, look for its 109 orchid species, or marvel at the Boca do Inferno blowhole.

São Tomé and Principe’s beaches are far from crowded. The coast offers many beaches with almost no people, perhaps only a fisherman going out to sea. This is the place for anyone wanting a beach to their self.

At Mercado Municipal, the main market, experience local culture and buy fresh produce and local crafts.

Dobra(STD) is the local currency, and we recommend bringing Dollar or Euro to exchange for Dobra in the country. Brokers by the market give good exchange rates, although banks can also exchange money. There are no ATM-machines in the country, but Visa and Master card are accepted by some hotels.

Portuguese is the official language, and English is not widely spoken.