The Chocolate Islands exists because the world’s most fascinating tropical destinations deserve more than superficial travel guides. We are dedicated to providing the definitive, fact-based resource for São Tomé and Príncipe—an archipelago rich with history, unique biodiversity, and an evolving ethical story.
We believe true appreciation of the islands requires understanding their complex past—from the cocoa plantations built on coerced labor, to the Batepá Massacre, and the modern transition to sustainable organic farming. Our mission is to present this truth with integrity, ensuring our information is authoritative, nuanced, and locally verified.
We live here, we shop in the markets, we drink a beer with the local residents on a street pockmarked by potholes, we eat in the restaurants, and we don’t lie. If the food is overpriced and aimed at tourists, we’ll tell you, if it’s expensive with slow service, you’ll know, if it’s a nice restaurant but plagued with flies, we’ll share that.
While we don’t stay at the hotels, (hey Bom-Bom how about an invite) we often chat to tourists that we’ve helped, they often come to my home here in San Antonio, drink a National on the deck and carve their name into my table.
Too many companies exist solely to extract wealth from visiting tourists, funneling revenue immediately off the island in a modern echo of the historical resource extraction. We actively work against this model.
Our core goal is to help tourists invest directly in São Tomé and Príncipe. This means guiding you to spend your money in locally owned restaurants, guesthouses, and services where the owner lives here, shops here, and reinvests here—not in foreign-owned operations where profit flows directly back to bank accounts overseas.
By choosing to follow our recommendations, you are not just booking a trip 0 you are directly participating in the islands’ ongoing renewal. Your expenditure becomes a force for local good, allowing you to enjoy a richer, more authentic, and more accountable travel experience. Use this platform not just as a guide, but as your trusted partner, ensuring your visit is truly a positive influence on the Chocolate Islands.
Jack ensures our guides are based on current, on-the-ground experience. He's a full time English teacher, and lives in San Antonio with his idiot dog Bilbo. He's always happy to share a drink after work.
We exist to connect visitors with the real economy of São Tomé and Príncipe. Unlike traditional booking platforms that funnel money off-island, our recommendation network is founded on one non-negotiable principle: All profits must remain local.
“Every car hire company, tour operator, and guesthouse featured on this site is personally vetted by our local team for quality, safety, and a demonstrated commitment to local ownership. When you book via The Chocolate Islands, your expenditure supports a family, a cooperative, or a small business on the islands.”
“Our revenue stream comes from endorsing and facilitating bookings for the best locally-owned services. This allows us to keep our informational hub unbiased and free, while ensuring that the tours and services we link to meet our high ethical standards and enhance, rather than exploit, the local culture and environment.”
We’re happy to answer all questions, whether you book a tour, a car hire or not.
I met Jack who gave me insight and recommendations for what to do on the island. I ended up staying at his house for the whole trip, it’s in a perfect location and was a great base for exploring.
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