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Travel to the Sao Tomé & Principe
São Tomé and Príncipe, located off the western coast of Africa in the Gulf of Guinea, is a dual-island nation offering a mix of natural and cultural experiences. The islands are known for their beaches, volcanic landscapes, colonial history, and biodiverse rainforests. On São Tomé, visitors can explore Obo National Park, a rainforest area filled with unique species and hiking trails that lead to the volcanic Pico Cão Grande. The island is also home to historic cocoa and coffee plantations, such as Roça Agua Izé and Monte Café, where visitors can learn about the agricultural past and practices.
The capital, São Tomé city, provides a blend of Portuguese colonial architecture, local markets, and cultural sites, including the São Sebastião Museum housed in an old fortress. Nearby, Lagoa Azul offers opportunities for snorkeling in clear waters, while Boca do Inferno showcases a natural blowhole phenomenon.
Príncipe, the smaller of the two islands, is recognized for its unspoiled landscapes and remote beaches, such as Banana Beach, where calm waters and palm trees create a quiet retreat. The island’s rainforests are protected within Príncipe’s UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, a haven for birdwatching, hiking, and exploring. Highlights include the small town of Santo António, known for its colonial architecture and community life. Roça Sundy, a former plantation, is notable for its scientific history as the site where Einstein’s theory of relativity was confirmed.
On Ilhéu das Rolas, a small island south of São Tomé, visitors can stand on the equatorial line marked by a monument. This island also offers quiet beaches and diving spots. Additionally, the country is a center for marine life, with opportunities to witness sea turtle nesting on beaches like Praia Jalé.
São Tomé and Príncipe offer a range of activities, from diving and exploring historic plantations to hiking through rainforests, providing an experience shaped by natural landscapes and a rich cultural backdrop.
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Must Visit in Sao Tomé
São Tomé & Príncipe, islands known for their beaches, volcanic landscapes, colonial history, and biodiverse rainforests. Explore Obo National Park and hiking the trails to the volcanic Pico Cão Grande or discover its historic cocoa and coffee plantations, such as Roça Agua Izé and Monte Café
Ilhéu das Rolas
The island located off São Tomé’s southern coast, lets visitors stand on the Equator line while exploring nearby attractions like Mangrove Malanza, lake Amélia, Bom Sucesso’s volcanic crater, and the Botanic Garden, surrounded by lush landscapes and marine life.
Southern Beaches
São Tomé’s southern beaches, including Praia Inhame, Piscina, and Jalé, stretch beyond Porto Alegre, offering serene coastal beauty and transforming into protected turtle nesting sites from November to February, where visitors can witness sea turtles laying their eggs.
Malanza Mangrove
The Malanza Mangrove in São Tomé is a vast wetland ecosystem, located in the south of the island and accessible by canoe. Visitors can explore winding waterways lined with dense mangrove forests, rich birdlife, and unique biodiversity in a peaceful, immersive natural setting.
Monte Café and Coffee Plantations
Monte Café and other São Tomé plantations, like Roça Nova Moca and Roça Agostinho Neto, invite visitors to explore lush coffee fields, colonial architecture, and rich heritage, offering insights into traditional coffee cultivation and the island’s aromatic brews.
Cocoa Plantations
São Tomé's cocoa plantations, such as those managed by Claudio Corallo and Diogo Vaz, offer immersive experiences into the island's rich cultural and historical heritage, showcasing traditional cultivation methods and production of high-quality chocolate.
Obo National Park & Pico São Tomé
Home to São Tomé’s highest peak, Pico São Tomé (2024m), the park features diverse hiking trails, scenic waterfalls, and breathtaking views, including the dramatic volcanic spire of Pico Cão Grande rising from dense rainforest.
Bom Sucesso Botanical Gardens & Lagoa Amélia
Easily accessible from the capital, Bom Sucesso Botanical Gardens and nearby Lagoa Amélia offer serene nature trails, while São Nicolau Waterfalls add to the scenic beauty, for lush landscapes and peaceful exploration.
São Tomé City
São Tomé City, the island’s vibrant center, features colonial-era architecture, the São Sebastião Museum, lively markets, and a diverse restaurant scene, offering visitors a rich blend of history, culture, and flavors in a welcoming urban setting.
Principe Island
Often likened to Middle Earth, the island captivates with its rugged, untouched landscapes, dense rainforests, and dramatic volcanic formations, creating a spectacular and wild paradise perfect for nature enthusiasts and those seeking immersive adventures.
Beaches of Principe Island
Praia Bom Bom, Burra, Banana, Macaco, Boi, and Grande are breathtaking and untouched, with lush backdrops and turquoise waters. Praia Grande also transforms into a sanctuary for turtle nesting from November to February, offering an unforgettable spectacle.
Sao Tomé & Principe in Video
Nothing documents a destination better than a short video and that goes for São Tomé e Principe as well.
Take a look at our Inspiration Africa YouTube Channel where you will find many travel related videos about Africa; don't forget to SUBSCRIBE to be kept up to date with new posts.
Must Do in Sao Tomé & Principe
Each destination offers its own experiences and here are some "must do" activities to experience in São Tomé e Príncipe!
Best Time to visit Sao Tomé & Principe
The best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe depends on whether travellers prefer dry or rainy seasons.
The islands have two main dry periods: **June to September** and **December to February**. During these months, visitors experience milder temperatures and minimal rainfall, ideal for exploring beaches, hiking, and enjoying the islands' natural landscapes. The June to September dry season is slightly cooler, making it a preferred time for outdoor activities and forest excursions.
The rainy seasons, **March to May** and **October to November**, bring warmer, humid conditions with regular showers, which also enhance the islands’ lush greenery and make it a great time for birdwatching. Rain showers are often brief, so travelers can still enjoy activities between downpours. Each season offers its unique charm, whether visitors are looking for sunny beach days, vibrant greenery, or diverse wildlife experiences.
Bear in mind that each season has its own particularities, and that a non-advised season may well correspond perfectly to your specific needs.
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Sao Tomé & Príncipe Travel Tips
By default, since we only work on a tailor-made basis, each of our travel projects will always be accompanied by our travel tips on the destinations to be visited. These will of course be adapted to the type of trip envisaged and the reality of the activities and places visited. If you would like general travel advice for Senegal, please don't hesitate to contact us via the "contact us" button.
Where to Stay in Sao Tomé & Príncipe
São Tomé e Príncipe offers a range of accommodations that cater to various preferences, from eco-lodges nestled in lush rainforests to restored colonial plantations and beachfront resorts. Our mission is to help you select what you like best. While inviting you to explore new options.
São Tomé & Príncipe Combines Well With
São Tomé e Príncipe São Tomé and Príncipe combines well with nearby African and Lusophone countries, offering travellers a seamless
extension to a broader cultural or ecological journey. Some of which we cover.
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