November 23, 2025
Great news for many international visitors—including EU, UK, and US nationals—you are likely visa-exempt for tourist stays of 15 days or less! This simplifies your initial sao tome trip planning. For longer adventures, you must secure a standard tourist visa beforehand. Every traveler needs a passport valid for at least six months past their departure date. Critically, if you transit through a country where it is present, mandatory proof of Yellow Fever vaccination is required for entry, so make sure this is sorted before you book anything else.
Direct international access to São Tomé International Airport (TMS) is primarily handled by TAP Air Portugal and STP Airways. Expect to fly from the single European hub, Lisbon (LIS), with services running only about three times per week (typically Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday). You can also find regional connections, such as direct flights from Accra (ACC).
If you fly via BA to Accra, be aware that the TAP flight leaves after your London flight arrives, which means an overnight in Accra, and trust me the Ghana visa is a nightmare.
TAAG offer a flight via Angola, and this can be less expensive for Europan visitors, but there is a bit of a layover in Luanda. Due to these limited options, securing the best rates and itinerary flexibility means you should book your air travel well in advance of your trip.
Successful sao tome trip planning requires the right transport choice. For exploring the South, the island interior, and challenging rural roads, a 4WD vehicle is highly recommended.
We offer a range of reliable options, including smaller 4x4s, not just large SUVs. Standard taxis will take you, but are typically not equipped for this terrain so expect to shake your joints loose.
A great way to travel is by Hiace, which are local minibuses: deisgned to seat 8 they will frequently have 13 or 14 people in plus luggage and occasionally livestock. They leave São Tomé from outside Continental, don’t expect a timetable, but they’re a fun way to see the island and make new (and invariably close) friends.
Fuel is available in São Tomé City and larger towns along main routes. Critically, gas stations become increasingly rare in remote or rural areas, so always fill your tank before heading south or inland. Driving after dark is difficult due to limited lighting. For deep cultural immersion, safe navigation, and access to protected reserves , including the challenging trails of Obo National Park, engaging a local guide is strongly advised to enhance your trip and unlock unique experiences.
São Tomé operates predominantly as a cash-only economy, making financial São Tomé and Principe currency cash planning crucial. The local currency is the Dobra (STN), you can change these at the bank, but roadside sellers will always give you a better rate, if you’re in doubt get in touch when you’re on the ground and we’ll come along, at the time of writing a Euro or USD is worth 26 on the street, with GBP reaching 29 – though if you’re coming from Scotland, as ever leave those notes at home and bring English notes.
International credit and debit cards are accepted only by major hotels and some luxury resorts in the capital. ATMs are infrequent and unreliable. Therefore, you must arrive with cash Euros and exchange sufficient Dobras (including small denominations for markets and taxis) before traveling outside São Tomé City.
For connectivity, local providers CST and Unitel STP offer mobile service , with 4G available in many areas. You can pick up a SIM from CST in the city, but take a passport, pick one up for navigation and safety. Roadside stalls often crop up selling top-ups, but make sure your text message reads the amount you bought – it’s not uncommon to see someone squinting at their phone see a credit, arrive home to find the 330 was 30 credited, this has never happened to me, honest…
São Tomé is celebrated as a very safe destination with low violent crime , but basic precautions against opportunistic petty theft are necessary, especially in crowded areas like markets. For São Tomé solo female travel safety, the country is generally considered secure and welcoming. The best defense is to adhere to local cultural dress norms to foster positive interactions and avoid unwanted attention.
Many schoolchildren will hang around near bars and resturants hoping to get a few dobra from the tourists, it’s tough, but it’s best to say no, a ‘Pusha Bala’ – will often work, during term-time, unfortunately, children will often sell fruit near the side of the road, or walk the sea-front, obviously encouraging this behaviour is not helpful. If you want to help, bring stationary, a frisbee, paper, colouring books and the like. We collect this and when we have enough for an entire class, we distribute it fairly to local schools, we don’t want anyone to miss out.
As a common-sense measure, avoid walking alone in isolated areas after dark. Ensuring you have reliable internet access via a local SIM card provides a crucial layer of support for emergency contact and offline navigation.
Prioritise situational awareness and local cues to maximize your security and enjoy a peaceful trip.
Accommodation offers a unique blend of heritage and nature. The most authentic stays are in restored Roças (historic colonial plantations) and beachfront eco-lodges. These often serve as your local logistical hub, providing on-site services like transfers and car hire.
Given the limited size of the tourism infrastructure and high demand for quality, locally owned guesthouses and Roças, early booking is non-negotiable for successful São Tomé roças booking. Though we have luxury hotels, the facilities may be five star, but the lack of available ingredients and the levi-levi style of the island, means the menu and service may not always be the same as you’d expect.
We recommend stays of one to two weeks, balancing time between the accessible North and the remote, structured exploration required for the South and Príncipe. Booking locally supports the island’s economy
