The small Atlantic Island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe is an undiscovered gem with empty beaches, lush tropical forests, volcanoes and interesting mixture of cultures. The remote islands offer good opportunities for fishing, diving, trekking and wildlife viewing and have very little crime. As a destination hard to get to, São Tomé and Príncipe still remains untouched by tourism.
Twin-island state located in the Gulf of Guinea off the western coast of Africa just north of the equator, Sao Tome and Principe, also known as St.Thomas and Prince, is one of the smallest African nations. the nation consists of two mountainous and volcanic main islands, the bigger and more populous São Tomé, and the smaller Príncipe, as well as a few outlying small islands. The inhabitants of this former Portuguese colony are mainly a mixture of African slaves and Portuguese colonists. There are also minorities of African, European and Chinese people. The economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is based on cocoa plantations, and the tourism services and infrastructure of the islands are being slowly developed.
The smaller Príncipe is more remote and less populated, with plenty of beaches, coral reefs and jungle as well, and the small island of Illhue das Rolas south of São Tomé also has beautiful beaches and a monument pointing out the equator that crosses the island.
Activities & tours. Boat tours in São Tomé and Principe are a good way to explore the islands, and fishing in São Tomé and Príncipe is also good, as the Atlantic waters around the islands host some magnificent game fish. The clear waters and coral reefs provide for great diving in São Tomé and Príncipe, with scenic landscapes and interesting underwater world. The islands also have a unique wildlife, offering nice birdwatching, as well as whale watching from July to October, when Humpback whales come to São Tomé to give birth.
How to get there. Traveling to Sao Tome and Principe is not very straightforward.
Twin-island state located in the Gulf of Guinea off the western coast of Africa just north of the equator, Sao Tome and Principe, also known as St.Thomas and Prince, is one of the smallest African nations. the nation consists of two mountainous and volcanic main islands, the bigger and more populous São Tomé, and the smaller Príncipe, as well as a few outlying small islands. The inhabitants of this former Portuguese colony are mainly a mixture of African slaves and Portuguese colonists. There are also minorities of African, European and Chinese people. The economy of São Tomé and Príncipe is based on cocoa plantations, and the tourism services and infrastructure of the islands are being slowly developed.
Sights & activities in São Tomé & Príncipe: beaches, fishing, diving & wildlife
The natural attractions of São Tomé and Príncipe are its scenic empty beaches, volcanoes and rainforests, as well as the coral reefs around the islands. The main island São Tomé is the more mountainous of the two islands, offering good possibilities for trekking and wildlife viewing, especially on the south part of the island. Interesting sights on São Tomé include the Pico de São Tomé volcano, Praia Jalé beach with its sea turtles, Obo National Park, the dramatic Boca de Inferno coastal area and the waterfall of Cascata São Nicolãu. The island also hosts the capital city São Tomé, and the old fortress and the museum of São Sebastião.The smaller Príncipe is more remote and less populated, with plenty of beaches, coral reefs and jungle as well, and the small island of Illhue das Rolas south of São Tomé also has beautiful beaches and a monument pointing out the equator that crosses the island.
Activities & tours. Boat tours in São Tomé and Principe are a good way to explore the islands, and fishing in São Tomé and Príncipe is also good, as the Atlantic waters around the islands host some magnificent game fish. The clear waters and coral reefs provide for great diving in São Tomé and Príncipe, with scenic landscapes and interesting underwater world. The islands also have a unique wildlife, offering nice birdwatching, as well as whale watching from July to October, when Humpback whales come to São Tomé to give birth.
São Tomé & Príncipe travel tips and practical information
São Tomé and Príncipe has a hot and humid tropical climate that changes into cooler in higher altitudes. There is a rainy season from October to May, but the rains are only occasional. The mountainous areas in both main islands receive more rain than the coastal areas and can also be quite cool at night.How to get there. Traveling to Sao Tome and Principe is not very straightforward.
Photo: Marta Marques Gomes, used under Creative Commons License (By 3.0)
You need to apply for a visa before traveling to the country, and yellow fever vaccination card is also needed. There are flights to São Tome and Principe from Portugal, Angola and a few other African countries. São Tomé has the main airport, while the smaller airport in Príncipe receives regular domestic flights. Some public transport is available in form of minibuses and taxis. Car rental in São Tomé and Príncipe is available through local tour operators.
Small-scale services. There is no large selection of hotels in São Tomé and Príncipe, but there are still enough choices ranging from few beach resorts and business hotels to charming plantation hotels and basic pensions. Restaurants in São Tomé and Príncipe range from cheap and basic local ones to European-style restaurants in the capital city and main hotels. Some nightlife options are available, mainly on São Tomé. English is not commonly spoken on the islands, so you should learn some basic phrases of Portuguese to be able to get around easily.
Safety. The local people on the islands are friendly and crime is very rare, so it is totally safe to go out also at night. The main safety issues in São Tomé and Príncipe are the tropical diseases such as malaria and the sometimes chaotic road traffic.
