Guinea-Bissau
The Bijagós Archipelago, 88 islands and islets inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025, is why most travellers come: hippos that wade through salt water on Orango, nesting turtles and empty beaches. Closer to the capital, Bissau Velho's crumbling Portuguese streets and the faded colonial capital on Bolama reward anyone happy to travel slowly.
Overview
Guinea-Bissau is one of West Africa's least-visited countries, a small, low-lying land of mangrove creeks, cashew orchards and rice paddies. Almost every trip centres on the Bijagós, an archipelago of 88 islands where matrilineal animist traditions survive and some islands are sacred and off-limits. Bubaque, reached by ferry or speedboat from Bissau, is the usual hub, with lodges on neighbouring Rubane and remote Orango. On the mainland, a week might add Bissau's old quarter, Cacheu's slave-trade fort and mangroves, the beach at Varela and the forests of Cantanhez in the south, home to chimpanzees.
Travel here is slow, unpredictable and rewarding. Roads beyond the main highways are rough, boat transfers depend on tides, and outside Bissau there are few cash machines, so plan with slack built in. Costs are higher than you might expect: island lodges with boat transfers are not cheap, though local guesthouses and food are. You will meet few other tourists apart from sport fishermen, and Portuguese or French goes much further than English. The country suits self-reliant travellers and wildlife enthusiasts; what surprises most is the warmth of the welcome and how intact the islands' culture and ecosystems remain.
Map of Guinea-Bissau
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Bijagós Archipelago
An archipelago of 88 islands and islets, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1996 and a World Heritage Site since 2025, with mangroves, palm-fringed beaches and villages that keep Bijagó traditions. Bubaque is the hub, with simple lodges and boats to other islands.
- 2Wildlife
Orango Islands National Park
Orango's lagoons shelter rare hippos that move through salt water, best seen on guided walks to Anor lagoon from the village of Eticoga. The park also holds the tomb of Bijagó queen Okinka Pampa and some of the archipelago's most traditional villages.
- 3Architecture
Bolama
Portuguese Guinea's capital until 1941, this island town is a ghostly grid of colonnaded colonial buildings slowly being reclaimed by trees. Boats run from Bissau; wander the empty squares, the old governor's palace and the beaches beyond.
- 4History
Cacheu
One of the earliest Portuguese trading posts in West Africa, Cacheu was a centre of the Atlantic slave trade. Visit the small fort, where toppled colonial statues now stand, and the slavery memorial, then take a boat into the Cacheu River mangroves.
- 5Wildlife
Cantanhez National Park
Patches of dense forest in the far south shelter western chimpanzees, red colobus monkeys and a wealth of birds. Community guides from villages such as Iemberém lead early-morning tracking walks; sightings are never guaranteed.
Biggest cities
Bissau
The capital's Bissau Velho quarter of faded Portuguese buildings, the sprawling Bandim market and bars playing gumbé music make it worth a day or two before heading to the islands.
Gabú
The east's main trading town, on the road to Guinea and Senegal, is a largely Fula and Muslim hub of markets and transport — a practical stopover rather than a destination.
Bafatá
A quiet river town on the Geba with a decaying colonial centre; it was the birthplace of independence leader Amílcar Cabral and makes a pleasant break on the road east.
Ranked by urban-area population where available. Figures are rounded estimates, and sources define city limits differently, so rankings of similar-sized cities can vary.
When to go to Guinea-Bissau
Best time: Dec–Apr.
Average climate in Bissau
Festivals & events
- Feb–MarCarnaval
Bissau's pre-Lent carnival is the biggest party of the year, as groups from across the country parade with music, dance and elaborate masks, including the Bijagós' horned bull masks.
- SepIndependence Day
On 24 September Bissau marks the 1973 declaration of independence with parades and music; it falls in the rainy season, when many island lodges are closed.
How much does Guinea-Bissau cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Caldo de chabéu
Fish or chicken simmered in a rich orange sauce of palm-nut pulp and served over rice — the country's best-known dish and a celebration favourite.
Caldo de mancarra
A thick stew of chicken or fish in ground-peanut sauce, eaten with rice and a staple across the mainland; mancarra is Kriol for peanut.
Cafriela
Chicken or fish marinated in lime, onion and chilli, then grilled over charcoal; served with rice or chips in Bissau's restaurants and street grills.
Getting around
Shared minibuses and bush taxis link Bissau with Bafatá, Gabú, Cacheu and the south, leaving when full; roads deteriorate badly in the rainy season. In Bissau, cheap shared taxis and toca-toca minibuses ply the main roads. For the Bijagós, an infrequent public ferry runs to Bubaque, while lodges arrange faster speedboat transfers. There are no trains or scheduled domestic flights, and no ride-hailing apps.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF220V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +245
- Time zone
- UTC+0 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Not expected in local eateries; round up taxi fares, and tip guides, boatmen and lodge staff a few thousand CFA francs for good service.
- Etiquette
- Greetings matter: take time over hellos before getting to business. Ask before photographing people or ceremonies, dress modestly in Muslim areas of the east, and follow guides' advice on sacred Bijagós sites.
- Main airports
- Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (OXB), Bissau
Visas & entry for Guinea-Bissau
Shown for a British passport.
Visa required — apply before you go
You must have a visa to visit Guinea-Bissau.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoidYellow fever
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- ChikungunyaDengueHepatitis BMeaslesMeningococcal diseaseRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for all travellers (usually over 9 months or 1 year old). There is a risk of yellow fever in parts of the country — vaccination may be advised.
- Malaria
- High risk of malaria
- There is a high risk of malaria in Guinea-Bissau: antimalarial tablets recommended.
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Guinea-Bissau
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Wed 20 Jan 2027 | National Heroes' Day |
| Sat 23 Jan 2027 | Day of the Beginning of the Armed Struggle |
| Mon 8 Mar 2027 | International Women's Day |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sun 28 Mar 2027 | Easter Sunday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Worker's Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Tue 3 Aug 2027 | Pidjiguiti Day |
| Fri 24 Sep 2027 | Independence Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Portuguese
| English | Portuguese | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Olá | oh-LAH |
| Thank you | Obrigado | oh-bree-GAH-doo |
| Please | Por favor | poor fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Com licença | kong lee-SEN-sah |
| How much is this? | Quanto custa? | KWAN-too KOOS-tah? |
Know before you go
- Bring euros in cash to change into CFA francs. Cash machines in Bissau are few and do not always accept foreign cards, and there are none on most islands.
- Boat transfers to the Bijagós depend on tides and weather, so leave a spare day before your flight home, and check the FCDO travel advice before booking.
- Malaria is present year-round; take prophylaxis and repellent, and check vaccination requirements, including yellow fever, with a travel clinic well before departure.
Guinea-Bissau travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Guinea-Bissau?
The best time to visit Guinea-Bissau is generally Dec–Apr. Peak months are January, February, March, April and December. Average highs in Bissau range from 29°C to 34°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Guinea-Bissau cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £80 mid-range and £170+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Guinea-Bissau?
West African CFA franc (XOF).
What plug type does Guinea-Bissau use?
Type C and F sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Guinea-Bissau?
Traffic drives on the right in Guinea-Bissau, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Guinea-Bissau?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Guinea-Bissau?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You must have a visa to visit Guinea-Bissau. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Guinea-Bissau before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/guinea-bissau/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Guinea-Bissau?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Typhoid and Yellow fever for most travellers, with Chikungunya, Dengue, Hepatitis B, Measles, Meningococcal disease and Rabies sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
