Guinea-Bissau travel guide
Guinea-Bissau is a small West African country of mangrove-lined rivers, a Portuguese-influenced capital and the Bijagós Archipelago, a scattering of islands with turtles, saltwater hippos and traditional communities. It suits adventurous travellers interested in nature and culture who are comfortable with very limited tourism infrastructure.
Places worth the trip
The Bijagós Archipelago
A group of around 88 islands and islets off the coast, a UNESCO biosphere reserve with mangroves, sandbanks, beaches and rich birdlife. Only some islands are inhabited, and Bijagó culture remains strong, with sacred sites that visitors must respect.
Orango Islands National Park
Famous for hippos that live in fresh and brackish lagoons and swim between islands in salt water. The park also protects the traditions of the Bijagó people; visits are arranged with local guides.
João Vieira and Poilão Marine National Park
A remote group of islands where Poilão is one of the most important nesting sites for green turtles in the Atlantic. Access is limited and arranged through the park and licensed operators.
Bubaque
The most accessible of the Bijagós islands and the usual base for visiting the archipelago, with simple guesthouses, beaches and boat connections to other islands.
Bissau Velho
The old colonial quarter of the capital, with Portuguese-era buildings, the port and the Fortaleza de São José da Amura. The city's markets and its Carnival, held in the weeks before Lent, show its lively side.
Cacheu
A historic river town in the north with a small fort from the Portuguese trading era and a memorial to the slave trade. The surrounding mangroves form the Cacheu River Mangroves Natural Park.
Cantanhez National Park
Forests in the south where chimpanzees, monkeys and many bird species live alongside villages. Community-based visits with local guides are the way to explore.
Interesting facts about Guinea-Bissau
- The hippos of the Bijagós are among the very few hippo populations that regularly swim in the sea.
- Guinea-Bissau declared independence from Portugal in 1973, and Portugal recognised it in 1974.
- Cashew nuts are the country's main export and the cashew harvest is a central part of the rural economy.
- Portuguese is the official language, but most people speak Guinea-Bissau Creole (Kriol) in daily life, alongside many ethnic languages.
- On some Bijagós islands, women traditionally play leading roles in choosing partners, managing households and in certain ceremonies.
Best time to visit Guinea-Bissau
The dry season, from roughly November to May, is the best time to visit: roads are passable, boats to the islands run more reliably and the weather is pleasant. The harmattan wind can bring dust and haze around December to February. The rainy season, from about June to October, brings heavy downpours, high humidity, flooded roads and rougher seas. Turtle nesting on Poilão peaks in the second half of the year, around the rainy season.
Getting around
In Bissau, shared taxis are cheap and plentiful. Between towns, minibuses and shared taxis leave from stations when full, and road conditions vary widely. Reaching the Bijagós means a boat from Bissau: a public ferry runs to Bubaque on certain days, and private boats and lodge transfers serve other islands; crossings can be long and depend on tides and weather. Organising transport through a local operator or lodge is often the most practical option. Avoid road travel at night.
Practical details
- Capital
- Bissau
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Languages
- Portuguese
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 220 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 117 police, 119 ambulance, 118 fire (112 is also listed); services are limited, especially outside Bissau, so also ask your accommodation for local contacts on arrival
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Not expected, but small tips for guides, boat crews and drivers are appreciated.
Staying online in Guinea-Bissau
Mobile coverage is reasonable in Bissau and some towns on the mainland, with mobile data available in the capital. Coverage is patchy or absent in rural areas, in the mangroves and on most of the Bijagós islands, where you should expect to be offline for long periods. Wi-Fi is limited to some hotels and cafés in Bissau and a few island lodges, and power cuts are common. Download offline maps before you go. Install an eSIM before you fly and switch it on when you land.
Guinea-Bissau eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Guinea-Bissau, V2
无限流量
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Guinea-Bissau, V2
无限流量
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Guinea-Bissau, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Guinea-Bissau, V2
Useful apps
- Google Maps: Getting around Bissau; download offline maps before visiting the islands or rural areas.
- Google Translate: Translating Portuguese, with offline language packs for when there is no signal.
- WhatsApp: Contacting lodges, boat operators and guides, who often take bookings this way.
Guinea-Bissau travel FAQs
Most visitors take the public ferry to Bubaque or arrange a boat through a lodge or local operator. Schedules depend on tides and weather, so plan time either side of your island stay, and book accommodation in advance.
Yes, in Bissau and some mainland towns. On the islands and in rural areas, coverage is limited or absent. A travel eSIM gives you data in the capital, but plan to be offline elsewhere.
Yes. Guinea-Bissau is largely cash-based, and cards are rarely accepted outside a few hotels. ATMs in Bissau may not take all foreign cards, so bring enough cash, ideally euros to exchange.
Guinea-Bissau is in a malaria area and proof of yellow fever vaccination is usually required. Medical facilities are limited, so get travel insurance with evacuation cover and check your government's travel advice before you go.