Understanding São Tomé currency before you arrive matters more here than in most destinations. São Tomé and Príncipe is a cash-first country. Cards work in limited situations, ATMs are unreliable, and where you exchange money directly affects how far it goes. None of this is complicated, but assumptions are punished quickly.
This page explains how São Tomé currency works in real life so visitors can avoid common mistakes and unnecessary costs.
The national currency is the Dobra, abbreviated as STN. Day-to-day life runs on Dobras. Meals, taxis, guides, markets, and most accommodation expect payment in local currency.
The official exchange rate for São Tomé currency is fixed at 1 Euro to 24.50 STN. Euros are sometimes accepted for larger payments such as hotels or car hire, but this does not mean São Tomé operates as a dual-currency system. If you pay in Euros, change is normally given in Dobras at the official rate.
You may hear locals refer to prices using large numbers. This comes from older versions of the currency that had more zeros. When someone says “thirty thousand”, they usually mean 30 STN. This is a speech habit, not a pricing trick.
Banks and hotels exchange São Tomé currency strictly at the official 24.50 rate. This is predictable and formal, but it is also the least favourable option for visitors. Using banks or hotel desks for every exchange quietly increases the cost of your entire trip.
Most locals and long-term visitors use the parallel exchange market instead. This market operates openly and is part of everyday economic life.
Exchange dealers on Rua de Angola
In downtown São Tomé, particularly along Rua de Angola, just down the road from Zima you will see exchange dealers sitting the supermarket throughout the day, including Sundays. They are visible and easy to find. I’ve always used the guys who sit on the corner rather than up the road, I’ve never been ripped off, and never had a problem. If you need to use this service and are nervous, get in touch and I’ll come down to help.
The Negotiation: An initial rate may be offered that is slightly below the usual street level (such as 25 for a Euro). If you decline politely, the rate usually moves to the standard street rate of approximately 26.00 STN for Euros and 29.00 STN for British Pounds.
Using the street market rather than banks improves the value of your São Tomé currency across transport, meals, and activities.
Transport is where visitors are most often overcharged, almost always because the price is not agreed in advance. Always state the price you are paying before getting into the vehicle. Or simpler still, get in touch and rent a car from us.
Drivers sometimes quote prices such as “20 Euros” for these same trips. That is over 500 STN, five times the local rate. If a driver disagrees with the benchmark rates, walk away and take the next one. This is normal practice.
Cards, ATMs, and why you cannot rely on them
The domestic banking network is called Dobra24. Coverage has improved, but reliability remains poor for visitors.
Visa Only: Visa cards usually work. Mastercard and American Express often do not.
The Flight Effect: When international flights land, ATMs in São Tomé city are often emptied within hours. Machines can remain out of cash for extended periods.
Card Payments: Limited to a small number of high-end hotels and a few supermarkets. For everything else, cash is expected. If you have an emergency get in touch and I’ll try to help solve it.
The most important rule is margin. You should carry enough São Tomé currency so you are never dependent on an ATM working that day. You should expect to pay in cash most of the time. You should exchange money on the street rather than automatically at hotels.