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🇸🇹 São Tomé and Príncipe

Two lush volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea — dramatic peaks, cocoa plantations, empty beaches and incredible birdlife — São Tomé and Príncipe is Africa's tropical secret.

eVisa 📅 Best: Jun–Sep 💵 $140/day avg
🏙️
Capital
São Tomé
💱
Currency
Dobra (STN)
🗣️
Language
Portuguese
📅
Best time
Jun–Sep
🛂
Visa
Visa-free / eVisa
💵
Avg daily budget
$60 – $450
🛡️
Safety
Generally safe
✈️
Main airport
São Tomé (TMS)
Overview

Why travellers love São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé's jungle, the iconic Pico Cão Grande spire and old roças (plantations), plus pristine Príncipe's beaches and biosphere, make a dreamy off-grid escape.

It's safe, friendly and refreshingly undeveloped.

Where to go

Top places in São Tomé and Príncipe

The destinations worth building your trip around.

São Tomé island

São Tomé island

🗓 3 days

Jungle, plantations and beaches.

NatureBeachAdventure
Príncipe

Príncipe

🗓 2–3 days

A pristine UNESCO biosphere island.

HoneymoonNature
Pico Cão Grande

Pico Cão Grande

🗓 1 day

A dramatic volcanic needle.

IconicAdventure
Roças

Roças

🗓 1 day

Atmospheric old cocoa estates.

CultureHistory
Plan day by day

São Tomé and Príncipe itineraries

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

Route
São Tomé island → Príncipe → Pico Cão Grande
Trip length
5 days
Est. budget
$300 – $2,250
1–2

São Tomé island

Jungle, plantations and beaches.

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

Príncipe

A pristine UNESCO biosphere island.

🗓 2 days✨ Honeymoon · Nature
5

Pico Cão Grande

A dramatic volcanic needle.

🗓 1 day✨ Iconic · Adventure
Route
São Tomé island → Príncipe → Pico Cão Grande → Roças
Trip length
7 days
Est. budget
$420 – $3,150
1–2

São Tomé island

Jungle, plantations and beaches.

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

Príncipe

A pristine UNESCO biosphere island.

🗓 2 days✨ Honeymoon · Nature
5–6

Pico Cão Grande

A dramatic volcanic needle.

🗓 2 days✨ Iconic · Adventure
7

Roças

Atmospheric old cocoa estates.

🗓 1 day✨ Culture · History
Route
São Tomé island → Príncipe → Pico Cão Grande → Roças
Trip length
10 days
Est. budget
$600 – $4,500
1–3

São Tomé island

Jungle, plantations and beaches.

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

Príncipe

A pristine UNESCO biosphere island.

🗓 3 days✨ Honeymoon · Nature
7–8

Pico Cão Grande

A dramatic volcanic needle.

🗓 2 days✨ Iconic · Adventure
9–10

Roças

Atmospheric old cocoa estates.

🗓 2 days✨ Culture · History
✨ Build a custom São Tomé and Príncipe itinerary →
Visa & entry

São Tomé and Príncipe visa requirements

Visa required?
Visa-free for some; eVisa for others
Allowed stay
Up to 30 days
Visa on arrival
For some
eVisa
Yes
Passport validity
6 months
Visa type
eVisa
⚠️

Visa rules change frequently. Some nationalities enter visa-free; others get an e-Visa. A yellow-fever certificate may be required. Always verify with the official São Tomé and Príncipe immigration / e-visa website before travelling.

Full São Tomé and Príncipe visa guide →Use the visa checker →
Money

São Tomé and Príncipe budget guide

Budget

$60/day
  • Hostels & guesthouses
  • Local food & markets
  • Public transport
  • Free sights & nature

Luxury

$450+/day
  • 4–5★ hotels & resorts
  • Fine dining
  • Private transfers
  • Premium experiences
Full São Tomé and Príncipe budget guide →
Things to do

Top attractions in São Tomé and Príncipe

⛰️

Pico Cão Grande

A 370m volcanic tower of rock.

🏖️

Beaches

Praia Banana and empty island sand.

🍫

Cocoa roças

Tour historic plantations.

🐢

Turtle nesting

Sea turtles on Príncipe.

🦜

Endemic birds

A birdwatching hotspot.

Get outside

Nature in São Tomé and Príncipe

All nature
Blog

São Tomé and Príncipe travel articles

All guides