Money and payments
Cards and cash
There are ATMs in the BAO (Banco da Africa Occidental) branches of Bissau and Gabú, and in the Hotel Malaika in Bissau.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideCountry in West Africa
Photo: Francofranco56, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Guinea-Bissau is an off-the-beaten-path destination on the west coast of Africa. It is primarily an agricultural and fishing country of just over 2 million people (2023). This former Portuguese colony is one of the poorest countries in the world. Most tourists come to visit the Bijagós (Bissagos) Archipelago, said to be the most beautiful islands in Africa.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Guinea-Bissau.
Cards and cash
There are ATMs in the BAO (Banco da Africa Occidental) branches of Bissau and Gabú, and in the Hotel Malaika in Bissau.
Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole
Portuguese is the official language and the language used for writing; however, a Portuguese creole is the language spoken among the locals as the lingua franca.
There are three mobile companies in Guinea Bissau all with prepaid mobile cards, that can be bought all over.
Mobile networks
SonatelBefore visiting, make sure you have the yellow fever, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations up to date. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended: consult a doctor for advice on which type to choose.
Muslims are mostly tolerant of others in this country, if your presence is considered to be temporary. There are a few radicalized mosques in the country, so it is advised that you do not venture into these areas.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital
Bafata is a pleasant city with an interesting colonial centre, located on the Rio Gêba. Hometown of Bissau-Guinean anti-colonial activist Amilcar Cabral. Ask around near the old market to visit his house.
capital of the country until 1941, has some magnificent examples of colonial architecture and has been suggested as a world heritage site.
End of the tarmac going to the south of Guinea-Bissau. The city is built along a tidal river, the Rio Grande de Buba.
Largest city in the Bijagos archipelago, with hotels and harbour for boat trips to other islands.
Cacheu was once an important place for slave-trading, and there is still a little fort.
Busy market town, with a predominantly Muslim population.
an archipelago of some twenty tropical, beautiful islands. On the island of Orango you can see hippos, on other islands there are turtle nesting grounds. Many islands have French-owned fishing lodges. There are plenty of undeveloped islands for eco-tourism experiences. Travellers call these islands "like the Seychelles, only with no people".
Just south of Cap Skirring, but on the Guinea-Bissau side of the border, it is a tour de force to get to Varela on a 50 km long bumpy dirt road from São Domingos - but it is all rewarded when you reach this place, with a superb Italian-owned hotel, beautiful beaches and pine forests and a very relaxed atmosphere with almost no other tourists.
Guinea-Bissau's first protected area and largest freshwater reserve
Places in Guinea-Bissau on the World Heritage List.
Bijagos Archipelago Biosphere Reserve
Listed 2025
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Public transport and paid services in Guinea-Bissau.
In Bissau minibuses called toca-toca work for transports within the city. There are also regular taxis.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Guinea-Bissau.
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Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Bissau · International · OXB
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Bissau
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 31° | 35° | 37° | 39° | 37° | 33° | 29° | 29° | 29° | 30° | 31° | 30° |
| Avg. low | 16° | 18° | 20° | 22° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 24° | 21° | 17° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 26 | 146 | 381 | 479 | 344 | 163 | 13 | 0 |
| Humidity | 49% | 43% | 45% | 46% | 52% | 73% | 87% | 90% | 89% | 85% | 74% | 63% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$40
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$115
Per person, per day
Luxury
$305
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $20 | $65 | $180 |
| Food and drink | $10 | $25 | $55 |
| Local transport | $5 | $10 | $25 |
| Activities | $5 | $15 | $45 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 3 of 4Reconsider travel
Reconsider travelto Guinea-Bissau due to unrest, inadequate health infrastructure, and landmines. There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Guinea-Bissau. The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. Consular services are provided by the U.S. embassy in Dakar, Senegal. Unrest Guinea-Bissau has had periods of political instability for decades, including political unrest in November 2025. Large-scale demonstrations related to the local political situation may occur with little notice. Demonstrations may disrupt transportation and other essential services. Health Guinea-Bissau’s health infrastructure is inadequate. Health services, hygiene, and quality control do not meet U.S. standards of care. Pharmacies are not well regulated. Locally available medications are limited and may be unsafe. Even a minor health issue may require medical evacuation at your own expense. Landmines Landmines and unexploded ordnance from prior conflicts exist throughout Guinea-Bissau. Areas of greatest risk are Bafata, Oio, Biombo, Quinara, and Tombali. The locations of landmines and unexploded ordnance are often not known, marked, or easy to recognize.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
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