We wrote this blog to provide essential information to help you plan a trip to this fascinating destination. We’ve covered more about what to see and do in Sao Tome and Principe and your different options.

A friend told us we’d love the natural beauty, the warm climate and the lush tropical surroundings, but this destination still caught us by surprise. 

The best thing about the island of Sao Tome is that you can hire a car and go at your own pace. 

This is precisely what we did, and we’d recommend that you do the same.

Where to stay in Sao Tome and what to do when you’re here

We booked cheap flights on Skyscanner from Accra in Ghana with TAP Portugal. This airline has flights from Lisbon to Sao Tome, stopping in Accra.

Do you need a visa for Sao Tome? 

Most nationalities don’t require a visa to visit Sao Tome & Principe, a 15-day visit is stamped in your passport on arrival. See the full list here.

Australian passport holders (which I hold) require a visa to be pre-arranged before arrival. 

You can apply for an E-Visa online through the official Sao Tome government page.

Fill in the online form, upload a copy of your passport, and wait up to 5 days to receive a confirmation email.

Remember to print this page and bring it with you. You must pay 20 euros (cash) on arrival at the airport. The visa stamp takes a full page of your passport.

Note: A Yellow Fever Certificate is required for all travellers visiting Sao Tome & Principe, and officers check all visitors upon arrival.

Currency: The local currency used in Sao Tome & Principe is the Sao Tomean Dobra (STN).

At the time of writing: USD $1 = 21.20 STN / EUR 1 = 24.58 ST 

NOTE: This is a cash country, meaning that most Western/International bank cards will not work in the limited ATMs on the island. You must bring hard currency to change with money changers on the streets here (totally safe) or at the bank.

The best currency to change is the euro. If you don’t have euros, bring USD.

What is the language in Sao Tome?

As Sao Tome & Principe is a former Portuguese colony, Portuguese is the official language. You could also get by speaking some Spanish too.

Unless you’re staying at expensive resorts, not many people speak English. I recommend you try to learn some basic Portuguese before your arrival, just to get by and be able to read menus in restaurants, get directions, etc.

Where to Stay in Sao Tome?

We decided to base ourselves in Sao Tome city and do day trips. We booked a wonderful boutique guesthouse, Albergria Porcelana.

We loved this place, and the location is perfect. The price is from $29 for a single room or $39 for a double room. 

This includes government tax and a delicious breakfast at their restaurant just below the hotel each morning.  

Our hotel was reasonably new and spotless. There’s an area to chill out in an open living room for guests, and the wifi connection is fantastic.

If the above hotel isn’t available for your dates, another good option for where to stay in Sao Tome is Sweet Guest House. This property is more expensive, yet it’s in a great location and has everything you need for a comfortable stay.

What to see in Sao Tome?

Sao Tome city is interesting to check out. There are a few sights worth seeing here before you explore the island.

I’d recommend you go and visit the fortress. There’s also a small beach here where you’ll see locals swimming and a small food market where you can find some ladies cooking street food, including the local speciality, seas snails skewered and grilled.

Grab a plastic chair and enjoy a cold beer here too. 

There are some old, empty colonial houses and an abandoned pool nearby here. Visiting the fresh markets is always a good way to immerse yourself in the culture.

The variety of fruit, vegetables, and fresh fish is fantastic here.

Recommended posts about Sao Tome & Principe

AFRICA Food Map – African Food Guide to 54 Countries

African Food Guide – 10 Best Food Countries in AFRICA

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Sao Tome and Principe

How To Get Around the Island?

Shared Taxis (yellow minivans) do laps around the island. They are cheap; however, they do a set route and stick to the mainland.

Most interesting sights to see are off the mainland, hidden in small pockets and roads. For this reason, I’d recommend you hire a car to have the flexibility to go wherever you like.

How much does it cost to hire a car in Sao Tome?

Privilege Car Hire has the cheapest car hire on the island. You can rent a small Suzuki Jimny jeep for 40 EUR per day, including assistance and full-risk insurance.

Hire a Car with a Driver – This is another option. You can hire a car with a local English driver/guide for around 60-80 euros daily.

Alternatively, Privilege Tours also offers day tours of different routes of the island from 60 EUR per person.

What to do in Sao Tome – Drive the Southern Route

This part of the island is probably the most popular route from the few tourists who trickle in each year.

Less than 15,000 visitors per year, to be exact.

The Southern route can be described as lush, tropical and picturesque. Enjoy fantastic roads which are reasonably quiet of traffic. We were lucky to have passed only 40 vehicles for the entire day.

As soon as you’ve driven only ten minutes out of the small city of Sao Tome, it gets very green.

Check out Roca Agua Ize, only 17km from the city. This was once one of the biggest cocoa plantations, but today it’s abandoned.

Back in the day, over 2500 locals and at least 60 Europeans used to work here. As the plantation was so large, the workers had their own village here.

An ultra-modern Portuguese hospital was built here in 1928 to look after such a large working population. This was considered to be the best hospital in all of West Africa. You can explore the ruins of this abandoned hospital here too.

A few minutes south of Roca Agua Ize is “Boca de Inferno” (Hell’s Mouth). The short drive here is also gorgeous. See the water pound against the rocks to create a natural blowhole.

From here, drive to São João dos Angolares. This town is the biggest along the southern coast. The town doesn’t have much to see, but it’s where you’ll find the best restaurant in the country.

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Eat the best food in Sao Tome at Roca Sao Joao

Roca Sao Joao Restaurant is inside an old cocoa plantation that has been restored and now sits on the top of a hill overlooking the ocean.

If you’re interested in eating some amazing local food, I highly recommend you book ahead and make a reservation to eat here.

A famous Portuguese TV chef, João Carlos Silva offers a degustation menu of 12 courses for $30 per person. He and his team prepare and cook some wonderful fresh dishes using tropical fruits, vegetables and fresh seafood from the island. 

The lunch starts around 1.00 pm, so it’s best to time your arrival to enjoy this unforgettable lunch. This is another option for where to stay in Sao Tome.

This beautifully restored old plantation home is now a country hotel with 6 beautiful rooms. Rates start at $42 per night which includes a superb breakfast. 

Click here to see more details about this property.

There is also a recommended hike starting from here. Ask about it at reception when you stop in here for more information.

A further 20 min drive south of São João dos Angolares is the most famous site of Sao Tome & Principe, Pico Cao Grande, one of nature’s most impressive volcanic rocks worldwide.

Cross your fingers that the sky is clear of mist and you can snap a picture of this awesome peak.

The site mentioned below is only for those wanting to cross the equator.

You can cross the equator in Sao Tome!

Further south down the coast is the small town of Porto Alegre, the last town on the southern coast of Sao Tome. From the beach here (next to the Hotel Praia Inhame), you can catch a 20-minute boat ride across to Rola’s Island.

This is where you can cross the equator.

A return trip with a local fisherman in a small boat is 40 euros. The ride can be rough if there are waves so be prepared to get wet or take a dry bag to cover camera equipment, etc.

You will get off the boat in a small village and it’s an easy 20 min uphill hike to the equator marker.

NOTE: If you leave early and plan to take a day trip and return to Sao Tome city, you should have time to cross the equator (read below). You’d need to skip the 12-course degustation menu to fit this into the day. You need to allow about 2.5 hours for this lunch.

If you’re not returning to Sao Tome city today, you can also stay on Rola’s Island at Pestana Equator. This is a 4-star resort, so expect a very comfortable stay.

The Central Route

The roads along the Central route are in fantastic condition and this road takes you up through the island’s heart, through lush and tropical surroundings. You’ll pass by small villages and see many local wooden houses on stilts.

The amount of fruit trees here is astounding.  

I’d recommend you drive to Monte Café, an old coffee and cocoa plantation. Here you can learn how coffee and cocoa are produced and make sure you try their coffee in their café overlooking the mountains of this region. 

They also have bags of fresh coffee beans for sale at only $4.50 per 250g bag.

Another highlight is visiting São Nicolau Waterfall. You can swim here and relax away from the heat. The drive to reach this waterfall is beautiful.

You’ll feel the temperature drop, yet the lush surroundings are vivid green, and it’s silent here except for the sound of birds and nature.

The Northern Route

Along the Northern route, you’ll discover some secluded little beaches, bays and beautiful panoramas. The roads along the Northern Route aren’t in the best condition, except for many random potholes. 

The route is still very green; however, it’s more rural and less developed, except for more countryside and grasslands.  

Around a 30-minute drive from Sao Tome city is Lagoa Azul, a small lagoon with blue clear waters. It is the perfect place for snorkelling (bring your equipment) or simply relaxing.

We were the only people there on the day of our visit.

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Don’t miss Praia dos Tamarindos

The main highlight along this route is reaching Praia dos Tamarindos beach. Here, you will find many locals swimming at one of the most popular beaches on the island. Park your car and jump in the warm waters. 

There will be great music playing, local snacks and corn on the cobs grilling and a great place to chill in the sun for a few hours.

The beauty of this island is that it’s entirely up to you as to what you’d like to see and do. Some people enjoy the beaches; others enjoy spending their time hiking or exploring small villages. 

However you like to spend your time on vacation, I’d say that Sao Tome has much to offer any visitor.

Principe is the other island, much smaller than Sao Tome. We didn’t have time to visit this island on this occasion; however, we would love to return and do so as we’ve already fallen in love with Sao Tome. 

Many people told us that Principe is even more pristine, lush and untouched than Sao Tome. We’re not sure how that is possible, but apparently, it’s true. 

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It’s worth noting that both islands are fast becoming well known as being very eco-friendly, and lodges are popping up to give visitors some very comfortable options for accommodation. 

Read our top 10 reasons why you should choose Sao Tome and Principe for your next vacation.

So what’s stopping you? Book your flight ticket with Skyscanner (the best prices available) and visit Sao Tome and Principe now!

Travel Tips for Africa

We have many travel guides and tips for Africa – what a massive continent!

Have you ever wondered how many countries in Africa there are? 54 or 55? We cover them in depth in our ultimate Africa bucket list.

There is some delicious cuisine to be enjoyed across Africa, and these ten best African countries for food will inspire your food journey.

Check out how many of these 15 most popular foods you can taste.

If you’re wondering what they eat for breakfast in Africa, check out these 20 popular breakfast foods.

For food lovers, our Food Map of AFRICA lists the quintessential dish you need to eat in every nation!

It’s worth reading these 17 ESSENTIAL Things to know before travelling to West Africa, and our packing list for Africa may be helpful to you.

Don’t miss our recap of our travels across West Africa for even more helpful tips, and try these popular West African dishes; they’re fantastic!

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Africa. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual countries in Africa, or consider a regional eSIM for Africa (which covers 36 countries)

If your travels in Africa are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text Global eSIM. This eSIM has been a game-changer for us, and we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. View the best deals on group tours in Africa.

Finally, check out our travel resources page for the best websites, tools and products we use to travel the world.

View the travel gear we use on the road, and don’t miss our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.