Home › Countries › Guinea-Bissau

🇬🇼 Guinea-Bissau

The remote Bijagós Archipelago — sacred islands of mangroves, saltwater hippos and sea turtles — gives tiny Guinea-Bissau one of West Africa's most unspoilt natural treasures.

eVisa 📅 Best: Nov–May 💵 $100/day avg
🏙️
Capital
Bissau
💱
Currency
West African CFA (XOF)
🗣️
Language
Portuguese
📅
Best time
Nov–May
🛂
Visa
eVisa / Visa on arrival
💵
Avg daily budget
$45 – $320
🛡️
Safety
Use normal caution
✈️
Main airport
Bissau (OXB)
Overview

Why travellers love Guinea-Bissau

The UNESCO biosphere Bijagós Islands are the highlight, with their matriarchal culture, birdlife and nesting turtles, reached from the faded capital Bissau.

It's off-grid and adventurous; check advisories.

Where to go

Top places in Guinea-Bissau

The destinations worth building your trip around.

Bijagós Islands

Bijagós Islands

🗓 2–3 days

Sacred islands, hippos and turtles.

AdventureNatureIconic
Bissau

Bissau

🗓 1 day

Faded Portuguese-colonial capital.

CultureHistory
Orango

Orango

🗓 1–2 days

Rare saltwater hippos.

Nature
João Vieira

João Vieira

🗓 1–2 days

Turtle-nesting marine park.

NatureBeach
Plan day by day

Guinea-Bissau itineraries

Ready-made routes — tap a duration to see the plan.

Route
Bijagós Islands → Bissau → Orango
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$225 – $1,600
1–2

Bijagós Islands

Sacred islands, hippos and turtles.

🗓 2 days✨ Adventure · Nature · Iconic
3–4

Bissau

Faded Portuguese-colonial capital.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · History
5

Orango

Rare saltwater hippos.

🗓 1 day✨ Nature
Route
Bijagós Islands → Bissau → Orango → João Vieira
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$315 – $2,240
1–2

Bijagós Islands

Sacred islands, hippos and turtles.

🗓 2 days✨ Adventure · Nature · Iconic
3–4

Bissau

Faded Portuguese-colonial capital.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · History
5–6

Orango

Rare saltwater hippos.

🗓 2 days✨ Nature
7

João Vieira

Turtle-nesting marine park.

🗓 1 day✨ Nature · Beach
Route
Bijagós Islands → Bissau → Orango → João Vieira
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$450 – $3,200
1–3

Bijagós Islands

Sacred islands, hippos and turtles.

🗓 3 days✨ Adventure · Nature · Iconic
4–6

Bissau

Faded Portuguese-colonial capital.

🗓 3 days✨ Culture · History
7–8

Orango

Rare saltwater hippos.

🗓 2 days✨ Nature
9–10

João Vieira

Turtle-nesting marine park.

🗓 2 days✨ Nature · Beach
✨ Build a custom Guinea-Bissau itinerary →
Visa & entry

Guinea-Bissau visa requirements

Visa required?
eVisa or visa on arrival for most
Allowed stay
Up to 90 days
Visa on arrival
Yes for many
eVisa
Yes
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
eVisa
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Most visitors get a visa on arrival or e-Visa; a yellow-fever certificate is required. Always verify with the official Guinea-Bissau immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full Guinea-Bissau visa guide →Use the visa checker →
Money

Guinea-Bissau budget guide

Budget

$45/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$320+/day
  • 4–5★ hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full Guinea-Bissau budget guide →
Things to do

Top attractions in Guinea-Bissau

🦛

Orango hippos

Rare saltwater hippopotamuses.

🐢

Turtle nesting

Green turtles at Poilão.

🏝️

Bijagós beaches

Pristine, sacred island sands.

🦜

Birdlife

A vital migratory stopover.

🏛️

Bissau Velho

Crumbling colonial old town.

Blog

Guinea-Bissau travel articles

All guides