Reliable rental with clear pricing and airport pickup
Daily Rates
– Economy 4×4: €40-55/day (Jimny 2010, Terios)
– Standard 4×4: €65-75/day (Mitsubishi, Jimny 2024)
– Premium SUV: €95-135/day (Prado, Land Cruiser, Hilux)
Refundable Deposit
– For vehicles below €80 per day €100 per hire period
– For vehicles above €80 per day €200 per hire period
Discounts
– 10+ days: 5% off
– 20+ days: 10% off
– Monthly rates: Contact us
What’s Included
✓ Unlimited mileage
✓ Full insurance coverage
✓ 24-hour roadside assistance
✓ Free pickup (São Tomé city hotels)
✓ Spare tire and tools
Not Included
✗ Fuel (return with quarter tank).
✗ Airport collection/drop-off: €5
✗ Out-of-town pickup: €10-25
✗ Child seat: €7/day
Yes — all vehicles include full insurance and 24-hour roadside assistance , you simply pay a pre-arranged deposit on the car, refundable upon return. Our clear pricing gives you peace of mind while driving around São Tomé. The island’s roads can be rough, and punctures are not uncommon — drivers are responsible for handling these locally. However, São Tomé’s people are famously helpful: if you stop and wave down a passing car, someone will almost always lend a hand (often for the price of a few beers!).
Prices start from €40/day for compact 4x4s like the Suzuki Jimny, rising to €135/day for premium 7-seat SUVs. Longer rentals may qualify for a discount, send us an inquiry. All rates include comprehensive insurance, 24-hour support, and free hotel delivery within São Tomé town. Airport collection and drop-off costs five euros.
Yes — São Tomé is one of the safest places in Africa to drive independently. People are friendly, traffic is light, and crime against visitors is extremely rare. The main challenge is the condition of the roads, not safety. Take your time, adopt our leve-leve attitude, try to avoid driving after dark, and you’ll be fine. Remember that although there is a drink drive limit here, it is rarely enforced, so drive carefully at night. When driving on roads that are frequented by tourists, please watch for the ever present children who want candy, their needs often outweigh their road sense.
The minimum age to rent a car in São Tomé is 18 years old. The roads are rougher than most visitors are used to, so younger drivers especially should take extra care and avoid driving after dark.
While São Tomé looks small on a map, driving around the island in a single day isn’t realistic. Roads are narrow and winding, so plan two to three days if you’d like to explore the beaches, villages, and viewpoints at your own pace.
Fuel stations are mainly located in and around São Tomé town. We recommend refuelling before heading to rural areas or beach lodges, as petrol stations outside the capital are limited to the larger towns, but you’ll generally find petrol sold from roadside stalls served in bottles.
Drivers in São Tomé use the right-hand side of the road, with left-hand drive vehicles being the standard for all our rentals.
The main roads connecting the airport, city, and major towns are mostly paved, but some secondary roads can be uneven or unpaved. The further down the coast you drive, the worse the roads become. A standard vehicle is fine for most routes, but a 4×4 is recommended if you plan to visit rural parts of the island.
You’ll need a valid driver’s license, passport, and the full payment in cash if you’ve not chosen to pre-pay. International Driving Permits are recommended but not mandatory for most nationalities. We handle all paperwork at pickup, it’s a five minute process.
Every rental includes full insurance coverage, 24-hour roadside assistance, airport or hotel pickup/dropoff within town, and unlimited mileage. Fuel is your responsibility—vehicles are provided with a quarter of a tank and should be returned the same.
Of course, just make sure to bring your driving documentation when you collect your car, our roads are ‘fun’ and an extra driver can help share the load.