If you are looking for a destination unspoiled by tourism, the tiny West African country of Guinea-Bissau might be just the place for you. Hosting interesting local cultures, historic towns and carnivals as well as beaches, African wildlife, and the largest archipelago in Africa, Guinea-Bissau has plenty of things to experience. However, you need to be fine with the lack of facilities and tourism services in this poor West African country.
Small coastal country located in West Africa between Guinea and Senegal, Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese colony that has a friendly mixed population of various African ethnic groups and religions. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and has suffered from civil conflicts, so be sure to check the safety situation before you go. The economy of Guinea-Bissau is dependent on agriculture and fishing.
Towns & nature attractions. The capital city Bissau is a small city with nice opportunities for nightlife and shopping in the local markets, as well as colonial architecture. Bissau hosts a popular carnival in February. Bafatá town also has interesting colonial buildings, and the small coastal town of Varela has great beaches. Wildlife viewing in Guinea-Bissau is great both on Bijagós Islands and in Cantanhez National Park on the mainland. Big game hunting is also available in the inland savannas of Guinea-Bissau. As the country is quite flat and there is very little traffic, bicycling in Guinea-Bissau is also pleasant.
Traveling to Guinea-Bissau is possible by air or by road. There is an international airport in Bissau that receives flights to Guinea-Bissau from Portugal, Senegal and Cape Verde. You can also travel to Guinea-Bissau from Senegal, Guinea or Gambia by bush taxis.
Small coastal country located in West Africa between Guinea and Senegal, Guinea-Bissau is a former Portuguese colony that has a friendly mixed population of various African ethnic groups and religions. It is one of the poorest countries in the world and has suffered from civil conflicts, so be sure to check the safety situation before you go. The economy of Guinea-Bissau is dependent on agriculture and fishing.
Sights & activities in Guinea-Bissau: beaches, wildlife, colonial towns & hunting
Guinea-Bissau is a versatile country with many things to see. The main attraction of the country is the Bijagós Archipelago, a chain of some twenty scenic islands on the coast of Guinea-Bissau with white sand beaches, palm trees and cooling ocean breeze, as well as nice lodges, unique culture and great opportunities for game fishing and wildlife viewing. The largest and most popular islands of the Bijagos are Bubaque, Caravela, and Bolama, which once used to be the colonial capital of Guinea-Bissau and hosts some lovely colonial architecture. The archipelago is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with two national parks.Towns & nature attractions. The capital city Bissau is a small city with nice opportunities for nightlife and shopping in the local markets, as well as colonial architecture. Bissau hosts a popular carnival in February. Bafatá town also has interesting colonial buildings, and the small coastal town of Varela has great beaches. Wildlife viewing in Guinea-Bissau is great both on Bijagós Islands and in Cantanhez National Park on the mainland. Big game hunting is also available in the inland savannas of Guinea-Bissau. As the country is quite flat and there is very little traffic, bicycling in Guinea-Bissau is also pleasant.
Guinea-Bissau travel information and practical tips
Guinea-Bissau has a hot and humid tropical climate with monsoonal rainy season from June to November when it gets difficult to get around, and a hot dry season from December to May with dry Harmattan winds. The hottest time of the year is from March to May. The best time to visit Guinea-Bissau is from December to February when the weather is dry and not too hot. Coastal areas are wetter than the inland areas of the country.Traveling to Guinea-Bissau is possible by air or by road. There is an international airport in Bissau that receives flights to Guinea-Bissau from Portugal, Senegal and Cape Verde. You can also travel to Guinea-Bissau from Senegal, Guinea or Gambia by bush taxis.
Photo: gaborbasch, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Local transportation. There are some domestic flights and many boats to the main islands of Bijagos Archipelago. Other public transport in Guinea-Bissau consists of minibuses and bush taxis. Trucks and canoes can also transport you to the rural areas. Taxis can be found in the capital Bissau, and they can also be hired for touring. Car rental in Guinea-Bissau is available in the capital, and it is preferred to hire a local driver as well.
Basic visitor services. There is a small selection of hotels in Guinea-Bissau located mainly in the capital and in Bijagós Islands. Local restaurants in Guinea-Bissau can be found in most towns, but international cuisine is available mainly at the hotels. Nightlife options are concentrated in the capital Bissau that also hosts a carnival in February.
Safety. Guinea-Bissau is not the safest place on earth to travel to, and as the country is very poor, petty crime is not uncommon. Northern border areas in Guinea-Bissau are not safe to travel to, as there has been fighting between the army and Senegalese rebels in this region. Besides these, the main dangers in Guinea-Bissau are the tropical diseases such as yellow fever and malaria, traffic, and wildlife. English is not widely spoken in Guinea-Bissau, so it is recommended to learn some phrases of Portuguese before traveling to Guinea-Bissau.
