fco travel advice sao tome and principe

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

São Tomé and Principe

Warnings and insurance.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you: 

• disabled people  
• LGBT+ people  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

You are using an outdated browser. Upgrade your browser today or install Google Chrome Frame to better experience this site.

São Tomé and Príncipe Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for São Tomé and Príncipe.

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

CDC recommends that travelers going to São Tomé and Príncipe take prescription medicine to prevent malaria. Depending on the medicine you take, you will need to start taking this medicine multiple days before your trip, as well as during and after your trip. Talk to your doctor about which malaria medication you should take.

Find  country-specific information  about malaria.

Malaria - CDC Yellow Book

Considerations when choosing a drug for malaria prophylaxis (CDC Yellow Book)

Malaria information for São Tomé and Príncipe.

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Rabid dogs are commonly found in São Tomé and Príncipe. If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other mammal while in São Tomé and Príncipe, there may be limited or no rabies treatment available. 

Consider rabies vaccination before your trip if your activities mean you will be around dogs or wildlife.

Travelers more likely to encounter rabid animals include

• Campers, adventure travelers, or cave explorers (spelunkers)
• Veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers handling animal specimens
• Visitors to rural areas

Since children are more likely to be bitten or scratched by a dog or other animals, consider rabies vaccination for children traveling to São Tomé and Príncipe. 

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Yellow Fever

Required for travelers ≥1 year old arriving from countries with risk for YF virus transmission; this includes airport transits or layovers in countries with risk for YF virus transmission. 1

Generally not recommended for travel to São Tomé and Príncipe.

Yellow Fever - CDC Yellow Book

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Avoid Bug Bites

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in São Tomé and Príncipe, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in São Tomé and Príncipe. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in São Tomé and Príncipe include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic infection that can be spread in fresh water, is found in São Tomé and Príncipe. Avoid swimming in fresh, unchlorinated water, such as lakes, ponds, or rivers.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call São Tomé and Príncipe’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Malaria is a risk in São Tomé and Príncipe. Fill your malaria prescription before you leave and take enough with you for the entire length of your trip. Follow your doctor’s instructions for taking the pills; some need to be started before you leave.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of São Tomé and Príncipe may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in São Tomé and Príncipe, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for São Tomé and Príncipe for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

Other Destinations

If you need help finding travel information:

Message & data rates may apply. CDC Privacy Policy

File Formats Help:

• Adobe PDF file
• Microsoft PowerPoint file
• Microsoft Word file
• Microsoft Excel file
• Audio/Video file
• Apple Quicktime file
• RealPlayer file
• Zip Archive file

Exit Notification / Disclaimer Policy

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal website.
• Linking to a non-federal website does not constitute an endorsement by CDC or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the website.
• You will be subject to the destination website's privacy policy when you follow the link.
• CDC is not responsible for Section 508 compliance (accessibility) on other federal or private website.

©Justin Foulkes/Lonely Planet

São Tomé & Príncipe

Floating in the Gulf of Guinea, this two-island nation, Africa's second-smallest, blends natural wonders with a gripping history. São Tomé & Príncipe (STP) is amazingly safe and welcoming to visitors, particularly ecotourists, for whom the advancing jungle is a delight. This is particularly true on tidy and unspoiled Príncipe, an island of just 7000 people. A canopy of green broken by spires of primordial rock, Príncipe is a magnificent Lost World, offering fantastic beaches, jungle exploration, snorkeling, fishing, birdwatching and a handful of interesting (if expensive) accommodations. While both islands have their natural rewards, Príncipe should not be missed.

Leave the planning to a local expert

Experience the real São Tomé & Príncipe. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Praia Banana

Once the subject of a world-famous Bacardi advertisement (you'll remember it when you see it), this picture-perfect tropical beach is located on the…

The Great Canine is the poster image of São Tomé, and an awesome sight. An enormous tooth of rock 663m high, it is a hardened column of magma, the remains…

Baía das Agulhas

The spectacular Bay of Spires is not just Príncipe's top attraction, but STP's as well. It's best seen from the water, where the postcard view of the…

Claudio Corallo Chocolate Factory

Claudio Corallo is both an extraordinary person and a local institution. For over 40 years this native Italian has pursued an overriding passion for…

Praia dos Tamarindos

One of the island's best beaches, a beautiful white crescent facing an emerald sea, with excellent swimming. An easy drive from the capital, it's empty…

Praia Bateria

So perfect it stops you in your tracks, this cute little beach is a scallop of sand wedged between long walls of rock. Swimming here is like being in your…

In the running for island's best beach, Praia Cafė is a short walk from the pier, and should not be missed. A beautiful arc of sand, it also offers…

A postcard tropical beach, with turquoise water, swaying palms and no people. You will need to bring your own food, but it is perfect for a picnic…

Plan with a local

Experience the real São Tomé and Príncipe

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

Latest stories from São Tomé & Príncipe

Filter by interest:

• All Interests
• Adventure Travel
• Art & Culture
• Beaches, Coasts & Islands
• Food & Drink

Jul 18, 2018 • 12 min read

From castaway beaches to exquisite chocolate, the remote African island nation of São Tomé and Príncipe has attractions to rival the world’s best.

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of São Tomé & Príncipe with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.

São Tomé & Príncipe and beyond

Introducing São Tomé e Príncipe

About são tomé e príncipe.

• Images of São Tomé e Príncipe
• History, language & culture
• Weather & geography
• Doing business & staying in touch

Plan your trip

• Travel to São Tomé e Príncipe
• Where to stay

While you’re there

• Things to see & do
• Shopping & nightlife
• Food & drink
• Getting around

Before you go

• Passport & visa
• Public Holidays
• Money & duty free

Book your flights

São Tomé e Príncipe travel guide

The little-known islands of São Tomé e Príncipe provide unspoiled beauty and isolation from the world, in a way that's now rarely found anywhere else. The islands lie on an alignment of once-active volcanoes, with rugged landscapes, dense forests and palm-fringed beaches, situated 250km (155 miles) off the coast of West Africa.

In São Tomé e Príncipe, exotic birds inhabit tropical jungles on what is one of Africa's smallest countries. The picturesque town of São Tomé lies exactly on the equator, with a smattering of colonial Portuguese architecture and attractive national parks. The history of the islands, meanwhile, is dominated by the slave trade and slave-worked plantations.

The main appeal of São Tomé is perhaps its unrivalled peace and quiet. Little more than a couple of specks adrift off the coast of Gabon, the pair of volcanic islands are laid-back to say the least. The compelling Portuguese-Creole culture here revolves around leve leve , which roughly means 'take it easy'. Within a few hours of landing, the thought of rushing anywhere will seem like a distant memory.

If you can muster the energy to do much beyond laying on the pristine beaches edged by swaying palm trees, you'll find the slopes of the volcanic peaks worthy of climbing for their dramatic vistas, as well as scintillating tracks through the otherworldly rainforest. There are multiple species of birds to be spotted, as well as endemic plants, and the exhilarating possibility to go whale watching. Aside from whales, turtles abound in the waters surrounding the islands.

A good wander will bring you to both timeless fishing villages and historic buildings from the colonial era. Of these, roças , or plantations, are the most iconic man-made sights.

The locals are keen to preserve the islands' natural wonders, and so the still burgeoning tourism industry is largely subservient to the ecological priorities of the inhabitants. None of your faceless resorts here. Expect family-run guesthouses and lodges perched on the edge of the jungle.

1,001 sq km (386.5 sq miles).

194,390 (UN estimate 2016).

193.8 per sq km.

São Tomé.

President Carlos Vila Nova since 2021.

Prime Minister Patrice Trovoada since 2022.

Travel Advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice . 

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide and any specific travel advice that applies to you: 

• disabled people  
• LGBT+ people  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this advice is updated. 

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance . Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel. 

The authorities in São Tomé and Príncipe set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the São Tomé and Príncipe Embassy in Brussels , or email the São Tomé and Príncipe authorities . 

COVID-19 rules 

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering São Tomé and Príncipe. 

Passport validity requirements 

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.  

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.  

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen. 

Visa requirements 

You can visit São Tomé and Príncipe for tourism for a period of up to 15 days without a visa.  

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the São Tomé and Príncipe government’s entry requirements . 

Border control 

You must pay a 20-euro entry fee when you arrive in the country. You can also pay in US dollars or local currency.

Vaccination requirements  

At least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s São Tomé and Príncipe guide .  

Depending on your circumstances, this may include a yellow fever vaccination certificate.  

Customs rules 

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of São Tomé and Príncipe. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.  

Terrorism  

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.      

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad . 

Terrorism in São Tomé and Príncipe 

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in São Tomé and Príncipe, attacks cannot be ruled out.   

Political situation  

Economic difficulties and political rows over the handling of investments in São Tomé and Príncipe’s development can occasionally lead to civil unrest. 

The crime rate in São Tomé and Príncipe is generally low, but burglaries and armed robberies can happen. You can take steps to reduce your risk and help protect your belongings, including: 

• not wearing expensive jewellery or carrying large amounts of cash 
• not taking valuables to the beach 
• keeping valuable documents somewhere secure, such as a hotel safe 

Laws and cultural differences 

Illegal drugs and prison sentences .

There are severe penalties for all drug offences. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.   

LGBT+ travellers 

Same-sex sexual activity is legal in São Tomé and Príncipe. Attitudes towards same-sex relationships are less tolerant than in the UK and showing affection in public may attract unwanted and negative attention. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers . 

Credit cards are not widely accepted in São Tomé and Príncipe. Check if your hotel or restaurant accepts credit cards. There are only a small number of ATMs. You can withdraw cash from the main bank in the capital city, São Tomé. 

Transport risks  

Road travel .

If you are planning to drive in São Tomé and Príncipe, see information on driving abroad . 

You’ll need to have both the correct version of the international driving permit ( IDP ) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. 

Road conditions 

Many roads are in poor condition and unlit, particularly outside the capital. Animals often walk on roads at night. Landslides after heavy rain can block roads. 

Public transport 

Taxis and motorbike taxis (‘motoqueiros’) are the only forms of public transport. They are often unsafe and in poor condition. It’s common for people to share taxis.  

Air travel 

The UK Air Safety List (ASL) lists all known airlines in São Tomé and Príncipe that do not meet international safety standards and are banned from operating commercial air services to, from, and within the UK. Check the UK Air Safety List when considering which airlines to fly with. The list is maintained by the Department for Transport, based on advice from the UK Civil Aviation Authority .  

Before you travel check that: 

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need 
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation 

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. 

Emergency medical number 

Call 222 22 22 and ask for an ambulance. 

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment. 

Vaccinations and health risks 

At least 8 weeks before your trip check: 

• the latest information on vaccination recommendations and health risks in TravelHealthPro’s São Tomé and Príncipe guide  
• where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page  

Medication 

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries. 

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro . 

The NHS has information on whether you can take your medicine abroad . 

Healthcare facilities in São Tomé and Príncipe 

Medical facilities on São Tomé and Príncipe are limited and many health conditions need evacuation to Europe, South Africa, Ghana or Gabon for treatment. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation. 

Travel and mental health 

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health . There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro . 

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel. 

Emergency services in São Tomé and Príncipe 

Ambulance: 222 22 22 

Police: 113 or 222 22 22 

Contact your travel provider and insurer 

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel 

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first. 

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans , including: 

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider 
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim 

Support from FCDO  

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including: 

• dealing with a death abroad  
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime  
• what to do if you’re in hospital  
• if you’re affected by a crisis , such as a terrorist attack 

Contacting FCDO  

Follow and contact FCDO travel on Twitter , Facebook and Instagram . You can also sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

You can also contact FCDO online . 

Help abroad in an emergency 

If you are in São Tomé and Príncipe and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the British Embassy in Luanda, Angola who provide consular assistance for São Tomé and Príncipe. 

FCDO in London 

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad. 

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours) 

Find out about call charges  

Book a Hotel

© Columbus Travel Media Ltd. All rights reserved 2024

Update April 12, 2024

Information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Before You Go

Learn About Your Destination

While Abroad

Emergencies

Share this page:

Sao Tome and Principe

Travel Advisory July 31, 2023

Sao tome and principe - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Sao Tome and Principe.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Sao Tome and Principe.

If you decide to travel to Sao Tome and Principe:

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter.
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Sao Tome and Principe.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Embassy Message

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

One page per stamp

Yes, for stays over 15 days

Yellow Fever

Report required when exiting with more than 10,000 Euros (see below)

Embassies and Consulates

There is no U.S. diplomatic presence in São Tomé and Príncipe. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Luanda, Angola if you need consular assistance while in São Tomé and Príncipe.

U.S. Embassy Luanda, Angola

Rua Presidente Houari Boumedienne #32 Miramar, Luanda Angola Telephone:   + (244) 222-64-1000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone:   + (244) 222-64-1112 Email: [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

You must present a passport and proof of yellow fever vaccination to enter Sao Tome and Principe. Holders of a valid U.S. passport do not require a visa when visiting for a period of up to 15 days. Apply for a visa online here: http://www.smf.st/evisa/index.php .

Sao Tome and Principe does not currently maintain an embassy in the United States. Travelers transiting Angola can obtain the latest information on entry requirements from the Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Luanda, on Rua Comandante N’zagi, 64/66, Miramar, Luanda, Angola, C.P. 1304. For all other inquiries, please contact Sao Tome and Principe’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations at 400 Park Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10022.

There are no restrictions on bringing foreign currency into Sao Tome and Principe. Visitors leaving the country must report carrying any sums equal to or greater than 10,000 Euros and be able to provide financial statements proving that they entered the country carrying a larger sum than the amount with which they plan to depart.

Lost or Stolen Passports:  U.S. citizens whose passports are lost or stolen while in Sao Tome and Principe could face delays in receiving a replacement passport. An applicant must normally come to the Embassy in Luanda to present an application for a lost or stolen passport. There is one commercial flight per week from Sao Tome to Luanda, so a person without a passport would face great difficulty in both boarding an international flight in Sao Tome and disembarking from that flight in Luanda. If an applicant is unable to travel to Luanda, the logistical difficulties in processing a passport application from a remote location will cause at least several days’ delay.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Sao Tome and Principe.

Sao Tome and Principe may deny entry to people coming from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) affected countries. 

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

There have been isolated incidents of civil unrest in the city of Sao Tome. Avoid large gatherings or any other events where crowds have congregated to demonstrate or protest. 

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Sao Tome and Principe is 222-22-22. In the event of fire, dial 112.

Crime:  Burglary, pick-pocketing, and armed home invasion have occurred on the islands, particularly around the winter holidays. Pickpocketing is prevalent in crowded areas such as markets, beaches, busy streets, or near hotels.

To minimize your risk of being the victim of crime, you should:

• Not display large amounts of cash,
• Carry a minimal amount of cash,
• Avoid wearing flashy or expensive jewelry,
• Put valuables and extra cash in your hotel safe.

If you are the victim of an attempted robbery or carjacking, you are encouraged to surrender your property to avoid injury, and to report all incidents to the police and the U.S. Embassy in Luanda. Police response time can be slow.

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police at 222-22-22, or dial 113 for rapid response police. For cases of domestic violence, dial 150. Contact the U.S. Embassy in Luanda, Angola at +(244) 222641 000.

Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

The U.S. Embassy can:

• Help you find appropriate medical care,
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police,
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent,
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms,
• Provide a list of local attorneys,
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States,
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution,
• Replace a stolen or lost passport.

Domestic Violence:  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance.

Tourism:  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are inconsistent. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be certified by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities and to provide urgent medical treatment. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws while in Sao Tome and Principe. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy in Luanda immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Illegal drugs:  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sao Tome and Principe are severe. Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Language:  Portuguese is the official language of Sao Tome and Principe. English is not widely spoken or understood. 

Currency:  Credit cards are not widely accepted in Sao Tome and Principe. ATMs in Sao Tome and Principe mostly accept cards from local banks. Travelers must exchange their currency for the Sao Tomean Dobra. Banks only accept a limited range of foreign currency for exchange. U.S. dollars and Euros are both widely accepted for exchange at banks. 

Photography:  Taking photographs of the Presidential Palace, military, or other government buildings is strictly forbidden.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the  Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report .

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Sao Tome and Principe. Some societal discrimination does exist, and there are no legal protections for LGBTQI+ individuals against discrimination.

See   our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:   Sao Tome and Principe law does not prohibit discrimination against those with disabilities, but reported discrimination is rare. The law does not mandate accessibility and it is not provided in most areas.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  Domestic violence is a crime, punishable by up to eight years in prison when it results in harm to the health of the victim, and up to 16 years in prison when it leads to a loss of life. However, domestic violence remains widespread throughout the country. 

See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Medical facilities in Sao Tome and Principe are extremely limited. You will need to travel abroad for all but minor medical needs. The only hospital in the country is on Sao Tome, Hospital Central Ayres de Menezes. They have general surgery, general medicine, and an intensive care unit. Access to medicines, including antibiotics, can be limited. Facilities are antiquated and newer equipment is needed. A few clinics provide very basic services. Payment in cash is almost always expected before treatment is rendered. The availability of medicine in local stores or pharmacies is very limited. You should carry prescription medication in its original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most medical care providers in Sao Tome and Principe only accept cash payments and expect payment in advance. Even if your health insurance does provide overseas coverage, you will have to pay your medical charges at the time of service and later seek reimbursement from your insurance company.

See our webpage for more information on insurance coverage. 

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

The following diseases are prevalent:

• Yellow fever
• Travelers’ Diarrhea
• Tuberculosis
• Schistosomiasis
• Hepatitis C
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Most roads do not have sidewalks, forcing pedestrians and livestock to use the roadways both day and night. Secondary roads are poorly lit, in disrepair, and may be impassable to all but four-wheel drive vehicles during the November-April rainy season. Motor vehicle accidents are the most common cause of death among travelers to Malawi. Safety hazards include the lack of road shoulders, potholes, pedestrians, bicyclists, and livestock. You should drive defensively and avoid road travel outside cities at night. Road support networks for stranded drivers do not exist. Fuel supply, both diesel and gasoline, is often erratic and travelers should plan accordingly. We do not recommend travel by foot along roadways.

Traffic Laws : Police roadblocks are common but properly documented drivers usually pass quickly and without incident. Malawian police operate radar-based speed traps throughout the country and you are expected to pay fines on the spot—please ensure you get a receipt. You must obtain a locally issued driver's license if you remain in Malawi for an extended period and plan to drive. Never drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. You should always wear a seat belt whenever available and insist drivers maintain a safe speed.

Aviation Safety Oversight:   As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Malawi, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Malawi’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Port Security:  The Commandant of the Coast Guard has determined that effective anti-terrorism measures are not in place in Sao Tome and Principe ports and has imposed conditions of entry on vessels that arrive in U.S. ports having visited ports in Sao Tome Principe. Mariners and passengers on commercial vessels traveling through the ports of Sao Tome and Principe should exercise increased caution.

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

Travel Advisory Levels

Assistance for u.s. citizens, sao tome and principe map, learn about your destination, enroll in step.

Subscribe to get up-to-date safety and security information and help us reach you in an emergency abroad.

Recommended Web Browsers: Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome.

Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers! Children’s passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years.

Afghanistan

Antigua and Barbuda

Bonaire, Sint Eustatius, and Saba

Bosnia and Herzegovina

British Virgin Islands

Burkina Faso

Burma (Myanmar)

Cayman Islands

Central African Republic

Cote d Ivoire

Curaçao

Czech Republic

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dominican Republic

El Salvador

Equatorial Guinea

Eswatini (Swaziland)

Falkland Islands

France (includes Monaco)

French Guiana

French Polynesia

French West Indies

Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthélemy (French West Indies)

Guinea-Bissau

Isle of Man

Israel, The West Bank and Gaza

Liechtenstein

Marshall Islands

Netherlands

New Caledonia

New Zealand

North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea)

Papua New Guinea

Philippines

Republic of North Macedonia

Republic of the Congo

Saint Kitts and Nevis

Saint Lucia

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone

Sint Maarten

Solomon Islands

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Switzerland

The Bahamas

Timor-Leste

Trinidad and Tobago

Turkmenistan

Turks and Caicos Islands

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

Vatican City (Holy See)

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit:

What are the latest São Tomé and Principe travel requirements?

April 25, 2021 • 1 min read

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Here's the latest travel information for visiting São Tomé and Principe. This update includes the latest information from government agencies, including the US Embassies, and addresses if travel is allowed, if quarantine is required, if testing is required, and if vaccines are required.

Can you currently travel to São Tomé and Principe?

To keep this post as current as possible, see below chart for the latest information. You can also check the last updated date as well, and a link to the source for further reference.

How else can I find out about São Tomé and Principe travel requirements?

As the global travel situation continues to evolve, information can change on a daily or weekly basis. Specifically for São Tomé and Principe, we recommend checking with the US Embassy in São Tomé and Principe on entry and exit requirements, especially for returning to the US. A link to the most up-to-date source for São Tomé and Principe travel is in the above chart.

What else should I know about the latest travel requirements to São Tomé and Principe?

While checking requirements related to quarantine, testing, and vaccinations, don't forget to check your other documents, such as ensuring your passport is valid for at least another 6 months. We typically suggest you try to have at least a year of validity on your passport, given passport renewal times, and most countries require at least 6 months to enter. You can get help with your passport renewal with our door-to-door passport renewal service .

In addition, if you're not enrolled in TSA PreCheck, it's the best way to skip the security line at US airports while keeping your bags packed and shoes on. You can pre-enroll on our Skip app, available in the App Store or Google Play . The app also gives you reminders and alerts about expiring documents and travel changes.

travel requirements

Download the .css-7gc50t{color:var(--chakra-colors-primary-500);font-weight:inherit;} Skip App

Download on the

Google Play

• Skip Grants
• Skip For Good
• Plus Memberships
• One-on-One Memberships
• Our Partners
• Member Success Stories
• Partner With Us
• Become an Affiliate
• How to Get Small Business Funding
• See the Latest Grant Options
• Search For Business Funding
• What's the Skip App
• Submit a Grant
• Help Center

We Help Entrepreneurs Go Further

Copyright © 2024 , YoGovernment, Inc.

• Privacy & Policy

• Skip to main content
• Skip to "About this site"

Language selection

Search travel.gc.ca.

Help us to improve our website. Take our survey !

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

Sao Tome and Principe travel advice

Latest updates: Health – editorial update

Last updated: March 13, 2024 13:55 ET

On this page

Safety and security, entry and exit requirements, laws and culture, natural disasters and climate, sao tome and principe - take normal security precautions.

Take normal security precautions in Sao Tome and Principe

Back to top

Armed robbery and pickpocketing occur, particularly in public areas such as markets, streets or near hotels. Burglaries and home invasions also occur, but are rare. Ensure that your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times. Avoid deserted beaches and poorly lit areas after dark.

Demonstrations and civil unrest

Although the country is generally stable, unrest can arise occasionally.

Demonstrations occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Tourist facilities

Tourist facilities are limited but adequate.

Power outages

Power outages occur frequently.

Telecommunications

Telecommunications services such as landlines and Internet access are limited, making it difficult to communicate with anyone outside the country.

Road safety

Streets in Sao Tome are paved but there are many large potholes. Roads outside the capital are paved and in fair condition, but they are poorly lit and can be impassable during the rainy season. Roaming animals pose a hazard to drivers. Drivers should exercise caution around motor bikes, as some motor bike drivers don’t have driver's licenses and may not follow the rules of the road. Car rental, with or without a driver, can be arranged through major hotels. Honking to warn of your approach is considered a normal practice. Emergency roadside services are non-existent.

Public transportation

Other than taxis, there is no public transportation. Taxi fares should be negotiated prior to departure.

There are few international airlines serving Sao Tome and Principe. International flights do not depart daily, making it difficult for travellers to quickly exit the country by air in case of an emergency.

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters and, in some cases, farther out at sea. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the authorities of Sao Tome and Principe. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the  Foreign Representatives in Canada .

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Tourist visa: not required for stays of less than 15 days Business visa: required Student visa: required

Canadians must obtain a visa prior to arrival for stays of 15 days or longer.

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children .

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Relevant Travel Health Notices

• Global Measles Notice - 13 March, 2024
• COVID-19 and International Travel - 13 March, 2024

This section contains information on possible health risks and restrictions regularly found or ongoing in the destination. Follow this advice to lower your risk of becoming ill while travelling. Not all risks are listed below.

Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic preferably 6 weeks before you travel to get personalized health advice and recommendations.

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your  routine vaccinations , as per your province or territory , are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

There is a risk of hepatitis A in this destination. It is a disease of the liver. People can get hepatitis A if they ingest contaminated food or water, eat foods prepared by an infectious person, or if they have close physical contact (such as oral-anal sex) with an infectious person, although casual contact among people does not spread the virus.

Practise  safe food and water precautions and wash your hands often. Vaccination is recommended for all travellers to areas where hepatitis A is present.

Yellow fever   is a disease caused by a flavivirus from the bite of an infected mosquito.

Travellers get vaccinated either because it is required to enter a country or because it is recommended for their protection.

• There is low potential for yellow fever exposure in this country.

Country Entry Requirement*

• Proof of vaccination is required if you are coming from or have transited through an airport of a   country where yellow fever occurs.

Recommendation

• Vaccination may be recommended depending on your itinerary.
• Contact a designated   Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre   well in advance of your trip to arrange for vaccination.
• Discuss travel plans, activities, and destinations with a health care professional.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites .

About Yellow Fever

Yellow Fever Vaccination Centres in Canada * It is important to note that  country entry requirements  may not reflect your risk of yellow fever at your destination. It is recommended that you contact the nearest  diplomatic or consular office  of the destination(s) you will be visiting to verify any additional entry requirements.

Measles is a highly contagious viral disease. It can spread quickly from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

Anyone who is not protected against measles is at risk of being infected with it when travelling internationally.

Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are fully protected against measles.

  Hepatitis B is a risk in every destination. It is a viral liver disease that is easily transmitted from one person to another through exposure to blood and body fluids containing the hepatitis B virus.  Travellers who may be exposed to blood or other bodily fluids (e.g., through sexual contact, medical treatment, sharing needles, tattooing, acupuncture or occupational exposure) are at higher risk of getting hepatitis B.

Hepatitis B vaccination is recommended for all travellers. Prevent hepatitis B infection by practicing safe sex, only using new and sterile drug equipment, and only getting tattoos and piercings in settings that follow public health regulations and standards.

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is an infectious viral disease. It can spread from person to person by direct contact and through droplets in the air.

It is recommended that all eligible travellers complete a COVID-19 vaccine series along with any additional recommended doses in Canada before travelling. Evidence shows that vaccines are very effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalization and death from COVID-19. While vaccination provides better protection against serious illness, you may still be at risk of infection from the virus that causes COVID-19. Anyone who has not completed a vaccine series is at increased risk of being infected with the virus that causes COVID-19 and is at greater risk for severe disease when travelling internationally.

Before travelling, verify your destination’s COVID-19 vaccination entry/exit requirements. Regardless of where you are going, talk to a health care professional before travelling to make sure you are adequately protected against COVID-19.

 The best way to protect yourself from seasonal influenza (flu) is to get vaccinated every year. Get the flu shot at least 2 weeks before travelling.  

 The flu occurs worldwide. 

•  In the Northern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs from November to   April.
•  In the Southern Hemisphere, the flu season usually runs between April and   October.
•  In the tropics, there is flu activity year round. 

The flu vaccine available in one hemisphere may only offer partial protection against the flu in the other hemisphere.

The flu virus spreads from person to person when they cough or sneeze or by touching objects and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Clean your hands often and wear a mask if you have a fever or respiratory symptoms.

Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease that is caused by parasites spread through the bites of mosquitoes.

Malaria is a risk to travellers to this destination.   Antimalarial medication is recommended for most travellers to this destination and should be taken as recommended. Consult a health care professional or visit a travel health clinic before travelling to discuss your options. It is recommended to do this 6 weeks before travel, however, it is still a good idea any time before leaving.    Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times: 

• Cover your skin and use an approved insect repellent on uncovered skin.
• Exclude mosquitoes from your living area with screening and/or closed, well-sealed doors and windows.
• Use insecticide-treated bed nets if mosquitoes cannot be excluded from your living area.
• Wear permethrin-treated clothing. 

 If you develop symptoms similar to malaria when you are travelling or up to a year after you return home, see a health care professional immediately. Tell them where you have been travelling or living. 

In this destination, rabies is commonly carried by dogs and some wildlife, including bats. Rabies is a deadly disease that spreads to humans primarily through bites or scratches from an infected animal. While travelling, take precautions , including keeping your distance from animals (including free-roaming dogs), and closely supervising children.

If you are bitten or scratched by a dog or other animal while travelling, immediately wash the wound with soap and clean water and see a health care professional. In this destination, rabies treatment may be limited or may not be available, therefore you may need to return to Canada for treatment.  

Before travel, discuss rabies vaccination with a health care professional. It may be recommended for travellers who are at high risk of exposure (e.g., occupational risk such as veterinarians and wildlife workers, children, adventure travellers and spelunkers, and others in close contact with animals). 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Travellers' diarrhea is the most common illness affecting travellers. It is spread from eating or drinking contaminated food or water.

Risk of developing travellers' diarrhea increases when travelling in regions with poor standards of hygiene and sanitation. Practise safe food and water precautions.

The most important treatment for travellers' diarrhea is rehydration (drinking lots of fluids). Carry oral rehydration salts when travelling.

Typhoid   is a bacterial infection spread by contaminated food or water. Risk is higher among children, travellers going to rural areas, travellers visiting friends and relatives or those travelling for a long period of time.

Travellers visiting regions with a risk of typhoid, especially those exposed to places with poor sanitation, should speak to a health care professional about vaccination.  

There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this destination. Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by tiny worms (blood flukes) which can be found in freshwater (lakes, rivers, ponds, and wetlands). The worms can break the skin, and their eggs can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, flu-like symptoms, or urinary problems. Schistosomiasis mostly affects underdeveloped and r ural communities, particularly agricultural and fishing communities.

Most travellers are at low risk. Travellers should avoid contact with untreated freshwater such as lakes, rivers, and ponds (e.g., swimming, bathing, wading, ingesting). There is no vaccine or medication available to prevent infection.

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

There is a risk of chikungunya in this country.  The risk may vary between regions of a country.  Chikungunya is a virus spread through the bite of an infected mosquito. Chikungunya can cause a viral disease that typically causes fever and pain in the joints. In some cases, the joint pain can be severe and last for months or years.

Protect yourself from mosquito bites at all times. There is no vaccine available for chikungunya.

• In this country, risk of  dengue  is sporadic. It is a viral disease spread to humans by mosquito bites.
• Dengue can cause flu-like symptoms. In some cases, it can lead to severe dengue, which can be fatal.
• The level of risk of dengue changes seasonally, and varies from year to year. The level of risk also varies between regions in a country and can depend on the elevation in the region.
• Mosquitoes carrying dengue typically bite during the daytime, particularly around sunrise and sunset.
• Protect yourself from mosquito bites . There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue fever.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette , which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•   washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) , HIV , and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Tuberculosis is an infection caused by bacteria and usually affects the lungs.

For most travellers the risk of tuberculosis is low.

Travellers who may be at high risk while travelling in regions with risk of tuberculosis should discuss pre- and post-travel options with a health care professional.

High-risk travellers include those visiting or working in prisons, refugee camps, homeless shelters, or hospitals, or travellers visiting friends and relatives.

Medical services and facilities

Medical facilities are limited and substandard, and many medicines are not available. There are no decompression chambers on the islands. Serious medical cases may need to be evacuated to another country for treatment.

International flights don’t take off daily and the islands do not have any aircraft on standby to perform medical evacuations. These factors may cause delays in medical evacuations.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Travel health and safety

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a   travel health kit , especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad .

Photography

It is prohibited to photograph airports, military establishments and government buildings.

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

2SLGBTQI+ travellers

Sao Tome and Principe law does not prohibit sexual acts between individuals of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely accepted in Sao Tomean society.

2SLGBTQI+ travellers should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Sao Tome and Principe.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Sao Tome and Principe.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Sao Tome and Principe, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements .

Travellers with dual citizenship

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Sao Tome and Principe.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Sao Tome and Principe by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Sao Tome and Principe to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to the Vulnerable Children’s Consular Unit at Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country’s judicial affairs.

• International Child Abduction: A Guidebook for Left-Behind Parents
• Travelling with children
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Emergency Watch and Response Centre

You must carry an international driving permit.

International Driving Permit

The currency is the dobra (STD). U.S. dollars, euros and Central African francs (CFA, issued by BEAC [Banque des États de l'Afrique Centrale]) are widely accepted. Credit cards can only be used at major international hotels. Traveller’s cheques may be cashed at hotels and banks.

Foreign bank cards cannot be used to withdraw money from ATMs.

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from September to May. Seasonal flooding can hamper overland travel and reduce the provision of essential services. Roads may become impassable and bridges damaged.

Tornadoes, cyclones, hurricanes, typhoons and monsoons

Local services

In case of emergency, dial:

• police: 2222222
• medical assistance: 221221
• firefighters: 112

Consular assistance

There is no resident Canadian government office in Sao Tome and Principe. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information from the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, in Abuja.

Equatorial Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe

For emergency consular assistance, call the High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, in Abuja, and follow the instructions. At any time, you may also contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa.

The decision to travel is your choice and you are responsible for your personal safety abroad. We take the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provide credible and timely information in our Travel Advice to enable you to make well-informed decisions regarding your travel abroad.

The content on this page is provided for information only. While we make every effort to give you correct information, it is provided on an "as is" basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied. The Government of Canada does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

If you need consular assistance while abroad, we will make every effort to help you. However, there may be constraints that will limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide services.

Learn more about consular services .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

Request a Brochure

Please complete all required fields!

Saved Tours

{{item._source.name || item._source.title}}.

• local_phone +44 (0) 1962 733051

• Our Holidays
• Brochures and Newsletters
• Tour Leaders
• Job Vacancies
• Complete Financial Protection
• Book a Naturetrek speaker
• The Naturetrek Reserve
• Naturetrek's History
• Private Groups
• Sustainable Tourism

Tour Itinerary and Reports

• Tour report - January 2024
• Tour report - January 2023
• Tour report - September 2019

Can I help you?

Sao Tome and Principe

A 12-day holiday to the West African nation of São Tomé and Príncipe in search of its endemic birds and other natural history.

Quick Enquiry

Quick enquiry.

São Tomé and Príncipe are two small islands off the coast of continental Africa, in the Gulf of Guinea, west of Gabon and Equatorial Guinea. Although only 250km from the mainland, the islands, which make up a single country although 140km apart, boast an extraordinary number of endemic birds – no less than 28 species – and several reptiles and amphibians. Clothed in lush tropical forests and skirted with white sandy beaches, the islands are sometimes called the 'African Galápagos'. On this 12-day tour we begin with five nights on São Tomé, venturing into Obo National Park in the São Toméan highlands for such birds as Dwarf Olive Ibis, Giant Sunbird, São Tomé Speirops, Giant Weaver and São Tomé Weaver. We then transfer to Príncipe for four nights, searching the forests and plantations for such delights as Dohrn’s Thrush-Babbler, Príncipe Sunbird and Príncipe Golden Weaver .

• See specialities such as Dwarf Olive Ibis and São Tomé Grosbeak 
• Other endemics include Newton's Sunbird, Giant Sunbird and Giant Weaver
• We will maximise our time to find as many of the 28 species of endemic birds as possible
• Visit lush forests, deserted sandy beaches and mangroves
• Stay for three nights in a boutique hotel on São Tomé very close to the beach
• Transfer to Príncipe for four nights, staying in a converted plantation house
• Boat trip to nearby seabird islands, with White-tailed Tropicbirds and Sooty Terns

Grade C: For the majority of trails we will be walking on this holiday, a good level of fitness and assured footing will be required. There will be early starts and high humidity is another factor to be aware of.

São Tomé and Príncipe may be two separate islands but together they form one African island nation. They sit in the Atlantic Ocean, just north of the Equator, about 150 miles off the coast of Gabon. The islands are part of a volcanic chain known as the ‘Cameroon Line’ which runs from Mount Cameroon in the north, to the island of Bioko, through São Tomé and Príncipe, then onward to Annobón. These little-known outposts are clothed in lush tropical rainforest and fringed by white sandy beaches and colourful coral reefs. They are ‘the Galápagos of Africa’, their long isolation from the mainland freeing them to their own unique evolutionary path and allowing the creation of a suite of birds and other wildlife found nowhere else on Earth. Indeed, 28 endemic species of birds can be found on São Tomé and Príncipe (depending on which taxonomy is followed), together with an interesting variety of others that also live on the African mainland. Besides being a birders’ paradise, this beautiful archipelago is also home to a fascinating assemblage of endemic reptiles, amphibians and plants.

Many of the once extensive sugar cane, cocoa and coffee plantations in the coastal areas on both islands have long been abandoned and are now clothed in secondary forest which harbours a wealth of birds. Further inland, the mountainous interiors are covered in extensive tracts of rainforest which cling to the precipitous slopes of towering volcanoes, their summits so often obscured within a veil of mist or cloud. 

Our 12-day holiday will begin with an afternoon flight to Lisbon and an overnight stay. The next day, we will take an early morning flight from the Portuguese capital to São Tomé, where we will spend our first two nights at a well-appointed boutique hotel within walking distance of one of the island’s idyllic beaches. The hotel gardens and immediate surroundings should produce our first endemics in the form of São Tomé Prinia, Newton’s Sunbird and São Tomé Thrush alongside other, widespread, African species such as Blue Waxbill and Yellow-fronted Canary. Further afield, we will venture into the northern section of the Obo National Park in the São Toméan highlands. The road from the town of São Tomé winds its way up the mountain, through fields, villages and coffee plantations, to the botanical research centre at Bom Sucesso. This is the starting point of the trail into the Obo National Park and is a good place in which to find São Tome Speirops, São Tomé White-eye and São Tomé Oriole. We will follow the trail towards Pico de São Tomé, the island’s highest peak, where we will be looking for São Tomé Spinetail, Giant Sunbird and the exquisite São Tomé Paradise Flycatcher. Higher up the mountain lies a spectacular crater lake which is a good place from which to survey the forest canopy in the hope of seeing São Tomé Green Pigeon, São Tomé Olive Pigeon and Emerald Cuckoo. With luck on our side, we might even hear (or better, see) the elusive São Tomé Scops Owl!

After two nights in the north of the island, we will head south and base ourselves within striking distance of the highland forests of Monte Carmo for a 2-night stay. This is set to be an exciting, yet challenging, couple of days as we seek São Tomé's top four endemics: Dwarf Olive Ibis, São Tomé Short-tail, São Tomé Fiscal and perhaps even São Tomé Grosbeak. We can expect repeated encounters with many of the other now familiar endemics as we explore these lush forests, before returning north for our final night on São Tomé.

Next, a short flight will take us to Príncipe, where we will spend four nights in a comfortable converted cocoa plantation house. It was on this island in 1919, during a total eclipse of the sun, that British astronomer Arthur Eddington corroborated Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity for the first time, his photographs of the eclipse revealing bending of the starlight that accorded with Einstein’s predictions! The atmosphere on Príncipe is very relaxed, and we will spend the next few days exploring the nearby ‘roças’ (large plantation estates) as well as the island’s unspoilt forests. Here we will be searching for species such as Príncipe Sunbird, Dohrn’s Thrush-babbler, Príncipe Speirops and Príncipe Golden Weaver. 

After a week of enjoying the islands’ vibrant tropical forests and deserted and unspoiled beaches, we must reluctantly depart, flying back to London via Lisbon. 

Outline Itinerary

What's Included?

A two centre holiday based in two comfortable, but simple, hotels. All rooms have en-suite facilities.

All meals are included when in-country

Dates & Prices

Tour Leader: Simon Woolley

Simon Woolley is a passionate birder and all-round naturalist. Having cut his birding teeth in childhood on the Dee Estuary, he has lived in Hampshire’s New Forest for many years now, and is the author of the definitive book on The Birds of Blashford Lakes . He has travelled extensively on six continents in search of wildlife. He has a particular interest in bird systematics and endemism, and is currently completing a book on the latter topic. He has worked for many years as a Geography teacher, so clients can be assured of lots of geological and climatological background exploration on the tours he leads…. As if any further endorsement of your choice of Naturetrek were needed, he met his wife, Julia, on a Naturetrek tour of Kenya in 1997!

Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?

For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.

Tour Reports

Why naturetrek.

At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:

• The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
• Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
• Outstanding value and exceptional customer service

Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!

• Our Ministers

Please be advised that the Department of Foreign Affairs’ Travel Advice is now available at Ireland.ie/travel. Travel Advice on this webpage is no longer being updated. To ensure you receive the latest Travel Advice for Sao Tome and Principe , please see Ireland.ie .

Saint Tome (Sao Tome) and Principe

If you’re travelling to Sao Tome and Principe our travel advice and updates give you practical tips and useful information. 

Security Status

• Normal precautions
• High degree of caution
• Avoid non-essential travel
• Do not travel

Safety and security

Local laws and customs, additional information, embassy contact.

High Degree of Caution

General Travel Advice

Irish citizens can enter São Tomé and Principe without a visa for up to 15 days. A valid passport is required for travel to São Tomé and Príncipe. Irish passports should have a minimum validity of 6 months. Passport cards cannot be used.

For more information on visas and passports, please see the Additional Information tab.

Visitors to São Tomé and Príncipe are advised to follow the guidance of national and local authorities and stay fully informed of what's going on by monitoring local news and social media.

Citizens can also follow the Embassy on social media ( Twitter  and Facebook ) to ensure access to relevant updates and alerts.

Emergency Assistance

The best help is often close at hand so if you have problems, try talking to your local contacts, tour operator representative or hotel management.

You can contact the emergency services in Sao Tome and Principe by dialling 112.

Our tips for Safe Travels:

• Get comprehensive travel insurance that covers all your planned activities.
• Register  your details with us so that we can contact you quickly if there’s an unforeseen crisis like a natural disaster or a family emergency.
• Follow us on twitter  @dfatravelwise  for the latest travel updates.
• Read our  ‘Know Before You Go’  guide.

As there is no Irish Embassy in São Tomé and Príncipe we are limited in the help we can offer you in an emergency. However, if you need assistance, you can contact the  Irish Embassy in Abuja, Nigeria  ( Nigeria - Department of Foreign Affairs (dfa.ie) ).

Practical advice

• Read our Know Before You Go travel guide for useful security tips when travelling abroad
• Get advice locally about areas of risk and security concerns
• Take common-sense precautions about safety and security
• Know who to contact in case of an emergency

Remember, the local laws apply to you as a visitor and it is your responsibility to follow them. Be sensitive to local customs, traditions and practices as your behaviour may be seen as improper, hostile or may even be illegal.

Get travel and medical insurance

Before travelling, the Department strongly recommends that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Vaccinations

Check what vaccinations you may need for your trip at least eight weeks before you travel. We can’t advise you on vaccinations, but you can get information about vaccinations from your local GP or an International Health and Travel Centre.

Evidence of vaccination (in the form of a certificate) can be a requirement for entry to some countries.

Make sure you bring enough medication for your entire trip and for any unexpected delays. You may wish to also bring copies of your prescription in case you lose your medication.

Additional information

Entry requirements (visa/passport)

Irish citizenscan enter São Tomé and Principe without a visa for up to 15 days but must provide:

• proof of travel arrangement,
• proof of sufficient funds,
• documents showing proof of purpose of trip,
• documents required for next destination.

Passports should be valid for at least 6  months from date of entry and have at least 2 blank pages.

It is advisable to take a number of photocopies of your passport with you when travelling to Sao Tome and Principe and you should carry a photocopy of your passport at all times during your stay.

If your passport is lost or stolen while you’re abroad you should contact the Irish Embassy in Nigeria . We’ll do our best to help you as quickly as possible but this can take some time. Your location and circumstances may limit the help we can give you.

What we can do:

•  Issue an emergency travel document that will get you home;
•  If required, provide advice on applying for new passport.

You will need a police report if you want to make a claim on your travel insurance. We will not provide you with a travel document without a police report.

Embassy contact

Irish citizens who require urgent assistance while the Embassy is closed can contact the Duty Officer at the Department of Foreign Affairs on +353 1 408 2000. The Duty Officer will refer the matter to the Embassy.

Embassy of Ireland 11 Negro Crescent Maitama District Abuja Nigeria

Tel: +234 9 462 1080 Fax: + 234 9 4131805

Monday to Thursday 09:00-16:00; Friday 09:00-12:00

Before travelling, the Department  strongly recommends  that you obtain comprehensive travel insurance which will cover all overseas medical costs, including medical repatriation/evacuation, repatriation of remains and legal costs. You should check any exclusions and, in particular, that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake.

Contacting us

Contact our Embassy in Abuja for assistance

Related links

Know Before You Go

Assistance abroad

Travel advice & representations

General travel advice.

• Swiss representations abroad
• Foreign Representations in Switzerland

São Tomé and Príncipe

Travel advice for são tomé and príncipe.

• Swiss representation in São Tomé and Príncipe
• Bilateral relations Switzerland–São Tomé and Príncipe
• Travel advice explained in brief
• Tips before you travel
• Travel documents, visa and entry
• Tips during your trip
• Help while abroad
• Terrorism and abduction
• Radioactivity
• Travel links
• Travel Admin
• Email Subscription Travel Advice

FOCUS TOPICS

• Focus Maritime Piracy
• Risk of kidnapping in the Sahara and Sahel region

+41 800 24-7-365 / +41 58 465 33 33

365 days a year – around the clock 

The Helpline FDFA deals as central contact point with matters relating to consular services.

Fax +41 58 462 78 66

[email protected]

vCard Helpline FDFA (VCF, 5.6 kB)

Phone free of charge from abroad with Skype

You will receive an error message if the Skype application is not installed on your computer or smartphone. If such a message appears, please proceed to install it right off, simply by clicking on the following link: Download Skype

Skype: helpline-eda

• Switzerland's European policy
• Swiss contribution to selected EU member states
• International cooperation
• About Switzerland
• 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• International Police Missions of Switzerland
• Terms and conditions

• Company History
• Mission Statement
• Philippines
• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• American Samoa
• Antigua and Barbuda
• British Virgin Islands
• Burkina Faso
• Canary Islands
• Cayman Islands
• Central African Republic
• Christmas Island
• Cocos (Keeling) Islands
• Cook Islands
• Cote d'Ivoire
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Dominican Republic
• Easter Island
• El Salvador
• Equatorial Guinea
• Falkland Islands
• Faroe Islands
• French Guiana
• French Polynesia
• Guinea-Bissau
• Liechtenstein
• Madeira Islands
• Marshall Islands
• Netherlands
• New Caledonia
• New Zealand
• Norfolk Island
• North Korea
• North Macedonia
• Northern Mariana Islands
• Palestinian Territories
• Papua New Guinea
• Pitcairn Islands
• Puerto Rico
• Republic of the Congo
• Saint Barthelemy
• Saint Helena
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Martin
• Saint Pierre-et-Miquelon
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Sao Tome and Principe
• Saudi Arabia
• Sierra Leone
• Sint Eustatius
• Solomon Islands
• South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
• South Korea
• South Sudan
• Switzerland
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Turkmenistan
• Turks and Caicos Islands
• U.S. Virgin Islands
• United Arab Emirates
• United Kingdom
• United States
• Wake Island
• Western Sahara
• Travel Vaccines
• Travel Health Consultations
• Travellers’ Diarrhea Kits
• Dengue Fever Prevention
• Malaria Prevention
• Chikungunya Prevention
• Zika Prevention
• Ebola Virus
• Yellow Fever
• Hepatitis A
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Hepatitis B
• Tickborne Encephalitis (TBE)
• Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella
• Influenza (Flu)
• Blood Tests
• Vitamin Injections
• Physician Referral Program
• London – Euston Travel Clinic

Travel Vaccines and Advice for Sao Tome and Principe

Sao Tome and Principe is a singular country made up of a pair of islands.

The original settlers of the islands were Portuguese explorers in the 15th century. The islands are known for their rich volcanic soil. They are a hub for sugar, coffee, and cocoa.

Do I Need Vaccines for Sao Tome and Principe?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Sao Tome and Principe. The National Travel Health Network and Centre and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Sao Tome and Principe: COVID-19 , hepatitis A , hepatitis B , typhoid , yellow fever , rabies and tetanus .

See the bullets below to learn more about some of these key immunisations:

• COVID-19 – Airborne – Recommended for all travellers
• Hepatitis A – Food & Water – Recommended for most travellers to the region, especially if unvaccinated.
• Hepatitis B – Blood & Body Fluids – Recommended for travellers to most regions.
• Tetanus – Wounds or Breaks in Skin – Recommended for travelers to most regions, especially if not previously vaccinated.
• Typhoid – Food & Water – Jab lasts 3 years. Oral vaccine lasts 5 years, must be able to swallow pills. Oral doses must be kept in refrigerator.
• Yellow Fever – Mosquito – Required if travelling from a region with yellow fever. Recommended for some specific itineraries.
• Rabies – Saliva of Infected Animals – Moderate risk country. Vaccine recommended for long-stay travellers and those who may come in contact with animals.

See the tables below for more information:

Malaria and chikungunya can be found on the islands. Be sure to bring mosquito repellents an netting. Antimalarials are highly recommended for all travellers.

Visit our vaccinations page to learn more. Travel safely with Passport Health and schedule your appointment today by calling or book online now .

Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Sao Tome and Principe?

A visa is required for stays in São Tomé and Principe, but is often provided on arrival with a duration of 30 days. Longer term visas are only available ahead of travel. Passports must be valid for the duration of the stay. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required to enter the country. If you do not have proof of vaccination, you may be vaccinated on site, quarantined or returned to your previous location.

Sources: Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe and GOV.UK

What is the Climate Like in Sao Tome and Principe?

Year-round, Sao Tome and Principe’s temperatures are in the range of about 25 to 30 degrees.

The islands experience two separate rainy seasons and one dry season. There is a shorter rainy season in October and November. A longer rainy season takes place from February to May. The dry season lasts from mid-June to mid-September.

How Safe is Sao Tome and Principe?

Petty crimes like pick-pocketing are common in highly-trafficked areas. This includes markets, town centre streets, and near hotels. Try to carry only what you need. Do not display large wads of cash when you’re paying for things.

Burglary and armed home invasion do occur on the island. Be especially careful around the holiday season. Keep valuables like expensive jewelry, cash and passports in a locked safe.

Obo National Park

Tourism in Sao Tome and Principe is still small. There are many natural attractions to enjoy on these equatorial islands. One of these natural features is Obo National Park. This park, which takes up more than 30% of the island of Sao Tome, is home to Cao Grande Peak.

This geological phenomenon is a large volcanic cone that rises to over 600 metres from the seasides. The area is home to more than 700 different species of plants and animals.

What Should I Take to Sao Tome and Principe?

Here are a few essential items that you’ll want to take with you on your trip to Sao Tome and Principe:

• Cash – Few locations on Sao Tome and Principe accept credit cards. You will need cash for all transactions.
• Pre-Paid Phone Card – There is only one mobile phone network present in Sao Tome and Principe. It is not always reliable because of the amount of people using it at any given time. A pre-paid phone card will help make local and international phone calls from pay phones.
• Portuguese Translation Book – There are few English speakers on the islands. The majority of the population speaks Portugese or Forro. A translation book will help you get around more easier.

Embassy of the United Kingdom in Sao Tome and Principe

If you are in Sao Tome and Principe and have an emergency (for example, been attacked, arrested or someone has died) contact the nearest consular services. Contact the embassy before arrival if you have additional questions on entry requirements, safety concerns or are in need of assistance.

While there is no consulate or embassy in Sao Tome and Principe, it is served by the British embassy in Angola:

British Embassy Luanda Rua 17 de Setembro, Nº 4 Caixa Postal 1244 Ingombotas Luanda Angola Telephone: +244 222 330 275; 244 222 334 583 Emergency Phone: +244 222 334 583 Email: [email protected]

Ready to start your next journey? Ring us up at or book online now !

On This Page: Do I Need Vaccines for Sao Tome and Principe? Do I Need a Visa or Passport for Sao Tome and Principe? What is the Climate Like in Sao Tome and Principe? How Safe is Sao Tome and Principe? Obo National Park What Should I Take to Sao Tome and Principe? Embassy of the United Kingdom in Sao Tome and Principe

• Privacy Policy
• Automatic Data Collection Statement

Intelligent Protection International Limited - Providing over a decade of security and protection for our global clients!

São tomé and principe travel advice, security travel advice for são tomé and principe, how safe is são tomé and principe.

Threat level: Low The current travel advice of São Tomé and Principe is to be aware of petty crime and the limited medical facilities available. If you carry out normal safety precautions your stay should be relatively trouble free.

COVID-19 Situation in São Tomé and Principe

Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, São Tomé and Principe has declared a state of calamity on the 9th of November, installing restrictions and measures to tackle the spread of the virus. The use of face masks is mandatory in public including in private vehicles, festivals have been banned and festivals are banned. Further to this, market places and churches can only operate at reduced capacity of 50%, people must maintain social distancing. Entry to São Tomé and Principe is allowed for foreign travellers but they must present a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival, taken no more than 72 hours prior to their arrival.

Recent Security Risk Events There are no known current terrorism threats for the country or incidents recently. Please be advised of the general threat globally, especially against western assets and persons. Due to the proximity of the other African nations which do have an elevated state, please be mindful of your actions and report anything suspicious.

Security Risks Crime rates are lower than other countries in the region, however there have been incidents of civil unrest in the capital city. Crimes such as pickpocketing are common in busy areas such as markets and entertainment locations.

You should avoid showing levels of affluence, as violent crimes such as muggings/armed robbery do occur also when thieves perceive tourists as an easy target. If you find yourself in this situation please comply to avoid injury and report all incidents to the local police.

Avoid isolated areas after dark, especially beach fronts and beaches.

Respect local laws and customs when visiting, note that Sao Tomé & Principe decriminalised same-sex sexual relations following their acceptance of the United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) recommendations, however local feelings may still not feel this way. It is advised that you act discretely during your visit.

Demonstrations and civil unrest can occur, which has the potential to turn violent. The best travel advice of São Tomé and Principe is, as with all large public gatherings please make you way to a safe place if you sense that they of a protesting nature. The demonstrations can impact on local services and transportation.

Travellers are only able to use their credit cards in a small number of places in the country and ATM machines are non-existent. It is recommended that you bring enough cash to last the whole trip however money can withdrawn using travellers cheques and visa cards from the main bank in Sao Tome.

São Tomé and Principe's International Relations

São Tomé and Principe consists of two main islands and smaller ones off the coast of Africa and has a rich history with Portugal who settled its convicts in the area in the 1400s. With help from slaves from the mainland, the country established sugar plantations and was a main transit line for slaves.

It gained its independence from Portugal 1975. Its main collaborators internationally now are India , Portugal and United States of America, who of which has given military support and training.

Travelling around São Tomé and Principe

Road maintenance is an issue within the country with many potholes on the roads leading to accidents and expensive damage to vehicles. Outside of the capital city, the roads are in extremely poor condition and often have little to no lighting. Driving along this when it is dark can be extremely dangerous and is highly advised against.

When driving your vehicle, be aware of animals and wildlife passing onto the roads as this has been known to cause accidents or lengthy disruptions to travel. Some roads can become impassable during the rainy season and it is advised that you stay updated with the local news and weather and ensure you have adequate supplies in your car at all times.

Maritime piracy can occur in the surrounding areas, please be mindful of this and take appropriate precautions.

Commercial Travel Risk Services

Intelligent Protection International Limited provides companies and organisations with Commercial Travel Risk Services designed to mitigate risks of staff when they travel for business. If you are interested in these services, please see: Commercial Travel Risk Services .

Emergency Services in São Tomé and Principe

General emergency services: 112 Police emergency: 2222222 Fire emergency: 112 Medical emergency: 112

São Tomé and Principe Overview

Consular information for são tomé and principe.

The government of the United States does not have and Embassy in São Tomé and Principe. All Consular activities are carried out via the U.S. Embassy in Libreville, Gabon. U.S. Embassy Libreville Sablière B.P. 4000, Libreville, Gabon Telephone: +241 0145 7100 Email: [email protected]

The British government does not have and Embassy in São Tomé and Principe. All Consular activities are carried out via the British Embassy in Luanda, Angola. British Embassy Luanda Rua 17 de Setembro, Nº 4, Caixa, Luanda, 1244, Angola Telephone: +244 222 334 582 Email: [email protected]

Visa requirements for São Tomé and Principe

All EU citizens, and many other African state nationals do not require a visa (for up to 15 days). Nationals of countries that require a visa may obtain it online through an eVisaST system. Please see: Visa Requirements for São Tomé and Principe

Healthcare and Immunisations

It is advised that visitors to Sao Tome and Principe are up-to-date with primary boosters such as MMR. It is recommended for most travellers to also get a Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations.

There is a low risk of Yellow Fever across the country so some travellers may want to consider the vaccination. If you are arriving from a country where there is a risk of the disease, or transiting for longer than 12 hours in an at risk country, you will have to provide a certificate of Yellow Fever vaccination. Check with your local health professional prior to travel if you are unsure.

Medical facilities in São Tomé and Principe are poor. Emergency facilities are extremely limited. For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to Gabon or South Africa will be necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Map of São Tomé and Principe

Disclaimer: You are responsible for your own safety abroad and for making the decision to travel.

The information contained in this Travel Advice for São Tomé and Principe is provided for information only. Whilst care is taken to ensure that this country brief is as up-to-date and accurate as possible, it is provided on an "as is" basis without any representation or endorsement made and without warranty of any kind, express or implied. Intelligent Protection International Limited does not assume responsibility and shall not be liable for any damages in connection to the information provided.

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to receive our company updates, the latest blog articles and job opportunities.

Intelligent Protection International Limited - Registered in England & Wales (6862831) - Registered in France SIRET 828 083 022 00016 - France CNAPS Licence: AUT-075-2116-05-17-20170601680 Copyright © All Rights Reserved. Part of Intelligent (UK Holdings) Limited group of companies.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Looking for a unique destination for your next holiday? Try St Helena!

Sao tome and principe travel advice.

Quick Facts

• Area: 964 sq km
• Population: 186,817
• Capital: São Tomé
• Religions: Catholic, Evangelical, New Apostolic, Adventist
• Languages: Portuguese
• Currency: Sao Tome and Principe Dobra (STD)
• Time Zone : GMT + 1 hour

Geography and Climate

The equatorial location of these isles makes for a fairly even, year- round, warm and humid climate, with rains peaking in April and November. Best months to travel are between May and October. Temperatures generally vary between 23 - 30˚C, thus ensuring good beach holiday conditions at any time of the year.

Average annual temperature and rainfall:

Passports and Visas

A full and valid passport is essential, and it must be valid for at least 12 months beyond your final date of travel. British passport holders do not require a visa if visiting for less than 15 days. For longer stays, you should get a visa before you travel as problems can occur if you arrive without the necessary documentation. You can apply online here . As soon as your application is received, you receive an immediate confirmation with the reference number that your application is assigned to. After that your application goes through a verification process which takes approx. 5 business days. Once approved, you will receive their Visa Approval letter by email. Print it out and take it with you to the airport. You need to show the Visa Approval letter TWICE: To the airlines in your country when you check in and to the Immigration officer at the Sao Tome airport upon arrival to get the visa stamped onto your passport. You are then required to fill out the entry and exit form, and pay the visa stamping fee (€20 for single 1-month Tourist Visa) directly to the Immigration officer.

Check the foreign office for all the latest travel advice for Sao Tome and Principe .

We hope the information below is helpful, but it is only guidance; requirements change frequently and you MUST check all health requirements yourself with your GP.

• Sao Tome and Principe are a malaria area, so antimalarial medication is recommended, along with precautions such as wearing long-sleeved tops, trousers and using insect repellent.
• You will only require a Yellow Fever Certificate if you have travelled to a yellow fever endemic area within three months before visiting the islands.
• Drink only bottled water. There will be a good supply of bottled water at your lodges.
• Please ensure that you are fully up to date with your country of destination’s Covid travel policies. Click here for the latest FCO advice.

More information on the latest health requirements can be found at the Travel Pro Health website.

Your travel insurance should provide cover for cancellation and curtailment, medical insurance, lost or damaged baggage and emergency evacuation. We are fortunate to be partnered with Rush Insurance who provide a range of travel insurance policies specifically for the type of trips we offer. We have a dedicated page on their website here .

Local currency is the Dobra which can only be obtained in-country. Take Euros in cash – these can be used anywhere on the islands. Credit/Debit Cards (Visa and Master Card) are accepted at the hotels that we use but otherwise, cash is a necessity.

Tourism tax

Please note that Tourism Tax of €3 per person per night has to be settled directly by guests at any hotels and lodges.

Service is normally included, and tips are warmly accepted.

Thank you for making an enquiry

Our travel experts will be in touch soon. Feel free to call us on 01768 603 715.

Start planning your next adventure

Give us a call on 01768 603 715 , chat with an expert instantly on WhatsApp or fill in the form below and we’ll be in touch.

Tell us about you...

Tell us about your trip….

Please enter your comments.