Question 1

Do I need a visa to travel to São Tomé and Príncipe?

Accepted Answer

It depends on your nationality. EU citizens, including Portuguese nationals, are exempt from a visa for stays of up to 2 weeks. UK and other nationalities should check current requirements with the São Tomé and Príncipe consulate before booking, as rules vary. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates.

Question 2

Do I need the yellow fever vaccine?

Accepted Answer

It isn't mandatory if you're travelling directly from a country where the disease isn't endemic, such as Portugal or the UK. It's recommended to check with a travel health clinic before your trip — other vaccines such as typhoid and hepatitis A are commonly advised for São Tomé and Príncipe.

Question 3

How does the Accra technical stop work?

Accepted Answer

TAP only operates a fully direct flight to São Tomé on Saturdays; on other days, your outbound or return flight may include a roughly 30-minute technical stop in Accra, capital of Ghana, with no need to leave the aircraft.

Question 4

Is this trip suitable for a honeymoon?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we organise this circuit for couples on honeymoon too, with the option to personalise certain moments of the trip on request (let us know when booking). The Príncipe Island extension, with the Bom Bom Resort, is especially popular among newlyweds looking for a São Tomé and Príncipe honeymoon.

Question 5

Can I travel solo on this trip?

Accepted Answer

Yes, this circuit is designed for solo travel as well as couples, families, groups of friends or companies — you'll always have personal guide support throughout the whole trip.

Question 6

What's the difference between this trip and other São Tomé and Príncipe tours that include flights?

Accepted Answer

Unlike many operators who resell the destination from a generic catalogue, São Tomé Complete Circuit is organised by a team working directly on the ground in São Tomé and Príncipe, with a personal guide throughout the trip and a direct partnership with Grupo HBD Príncipe Collection for the Príncipe extension.

Question 7

What luggage can I bring on the domestic flight between São Tomé and Príncipe?

Accepted Answer

The inter-island flights use small aircraft, so the limit is 15kg per person in hold luggage, plus 8kg in a cabin bag.

Question 8

Is there a fee to pay on arrival in São Tomé and Príncipe?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there's a tourist tax of €2.10 per person, per night, paid directly at the airport on arrival — it isn't included in the package price.

Question 9

What's the best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?

Accepted Answer

It depends what you're after. June to September is the dry season (high season), with less rain and pleasant temperatures — but it's also the season of the "Gravana," a period of increased cloud cover that can dull the beaches and the turquoise colour of the water. If you prefer clearer seas and greener landscapes, October to March (low season, with more rain) tends to offer more turquoise water, plus it's when sea turtles come ashore on the southern beaches to nest (mainly November to March) and there are fewer tourists around. June to September is also the best window for whale watching off the southern coast. There's no single right answer — both seasons work well for this circuit, depending on what matters most to you on the trip.

Question 10

Is it safe to travel to São Tomé and Príncipe?

Accepted Answer

Yes. São Tomé and Príncipe is considered one of the safest and most relaxed destinations in Africa for tourists, with low crime and a welcoming population. As with any destination, normal travel precautions apply — and on this circuit you'll always have your guide's personal support, which adds extra peace of mind, especially if this is your first trip to Africa.

Question 11

How much does a trip to São Tomé and Príncipe cost?

Accepted Answer

The price depends on duration, chosen hotels and whether the Príncipe Island extension is included. Ask us for a personalised quote for the 9-day São Tomé Complete Circuit with TAP flights included — as an agency specialised in this destination, we can usually secure better terms than booking each part of the trip separately.

Question 12

How long is the flight from Lisbon to São Tomé?

Accepted Answer

The direct TAP flight between Lisbon and São Tomé takes around 6h45. TAP only flies directly on Saturdays; on other days of the week, the trip may include a roughly 30-minute technical stop in Accra, capital of Ghana, with no need to leave the aircraft.

Question 13

Is this package really "all-inclusive"?

Accepted Answer

It's a very complete São Tomé and Príncipe package — TAP flights, the inter-island domestic flight, all hotels, a personal guide throughout the trip, a 4x4 vehicle with driver and half-board meals are all included. We don't include drinks with meals or the local tourist tax, which is paid on arrival — everything is listed transparently in "What's Included," so there are no surprises.

Question 14

Is a São Tomé and Príncipe holiday worth it? Is São Tomé and Príncipe worth visiting?

Accepted Answer

Yes — it's one of the most authentic, least crowded destinations in Africa, with practically empty beaches, untouched equatorial rainforest and a culture shaped by its colonial-era roças. Travellers who've been usually describe it as the kind of trip you recommend with your eyes wide open: demanding in terms of flight time, but deeply rewarding in experience.

Question 15

What's included in the São Tomé Complete Circuit package?

Accepted Answer

The 9-day package includes TAP flights (international and domestic), all hotels, a personal guide throughout the trip, a 4x4 vehicle with driver, 5 guided excursions, the boat crossing to Ilhéu das Rolas and half-board meals — see the full list under "What's Included" above. It's a truly complete São Tomé and Príncipe tour, with no hidden costs.

São Tomé and Príncipe Tour

Day-by-day itinerary

São Tomé and Príncipe Trip: departure from Lisbon with TAP flights included

Coffee Route in São Tomé: plantations, coffee and interior landscapes

South São Tomé Paradise Beaches Route

Ilhéu das Rolas in São Tomé: the Equator Line marker, in the footsteps of Gago Coutinho

São Tomé Gastronomic Route: lunch at the roça with Chef João Carlos Silva

Príncipe Island Extension — Bom Bom, As Good As It Sounds

Príncipe Island: Nova Estrela Viewpoint, Terreiro Velho and Sundy Praia

Príncipe Island – São Tomé – Return

Arrival in Lisbon

What's included

What's not included

Gallery

Frequently asked questions

Departure dates