Country
Guinea-BissauGuiné-Bissau
Spend 1–2 nights in Bissau and the rest in the Bijagós Archipelago (4–6 nights) at a lodge that arranges the boat transfers; tides and boats set the schedule. Since the November 2025 military takeover, check your government's advice and the election calendar (vote set for 6 December 2026) before you book.
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More
Key facts
- Best months
- Nov–Apr by month →
- Currency
- West African CFA franc
- Language
- Portuguese official
- Plugs
- C · F · 220 V
- Time zone
- UTC+0 all year
Rules in force · 4Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on…
- Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
- Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
- West Africa ↗Carry an original yellow fever vaccination certificate on any West African trip: several countries on the coast road demand it of every arrival, and the rest demand it after you have passed through a neighbour.
- West Africa ↗Cross land borders and drive between cities in daylight only; plan each crossing as a full travel day with cash for fees and passport copies for checkpoints.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
Understand in one strip
- Capital
- Bissau, on the Geba estuary
- Language
- Portuguese official; Guinea-Bissau Kriol spoken by most; Balanta, Fula, Mandinka, Bijagó and others
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF), 655.957 per euro
- Plugs
- Types C and F; 220 V 50 Hz
- Driving
- Right-hand side; potholed roads, no night driving
- Tipping
- Appreciated; 5–10% or round up
- Emergency
- 117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (check)
- Time zone
- UTC+0 all year
Guinea-Bissau has few tourist services outside Bissau and the Bijagós islands, and the political situation can change at short notice — the army took power after the November 2025 election and a transition runs to a vote set for December 2026. Trips break on boat schedules, which depend on tides and weather, on arriving without a visa, and on a lack of cash machines that take foreign cards. The rules that apply everywhere: book island stays with transfers included, bring enough euros in cash, carry a yellow fever certificate, and check your government's advice before and during the trip.
About Guinea-Bissau
A small country of about 2.1 million people with over 80 islands and one of the richest coastal ecosystems in West Africa. It won independence from Portugal by armed struggle led by Amílcar Cabral, and has since had repeated coups and attempted coups. The army took power again after the November 2025 election; a transition is set to end with elections on 6 December 2026 (check). Cashews are the main export.
Where's good this month
Lodges reopen; green landscapes.
Where's good: no region is at its best; pick the fair ones below
- Coast and BissauBissau, Cacheu, VarelaFairFairok: workable
Dry and pleasant Dec–Mar with Harmattan haze; very wet Jul–Sep (Bissau gets about 2,000 mm a year).
- Bijagós islandsBubaque, Orango, João Vieira, RubaneFairFairok: workable
Sea breezes; rough crossings in the rains; turtle nesting Aug–Nov.
- Interior eastBafatá, GabúFairFairok: workable
Hotter and drier; Harmattan dust Jan–Mar.
Holidays and festivals in November
- Readjustment Movement Day · 14 Nov — Public holiday (check).
Pick a route
Casamance and Guinea-Bissau
- Dakar, 2 nightsArrival + day plans
- Ziguinchor (Senegal), 2 nightsNo guide yet
- Cap Skirring (Senegal), 2 nightsNo guide yet
- Bissau, 2 nightsArrival + day plans
- Bijagós, 5 nightsNo guide yet
- Bissau, 1 nightsArrival + day plans
Fly Dakar – Ziguinchor; visa at the Ziguinchor consulate; cross by day.
Top destinations in Guinea-Bissau, ranked
Ranked for a first trip in the dry season; check advice first.
Bijagós
No guide yetIslands and lodges.
4–6 nights in Bijagós · Best Nov–May
Bissau
Arrival + day plansOld town and market.
1–2 nights in Bissau · Best Nov–May
Orango
No guide yetSaltwater hippos.
2 nights in Orango · Best Dec–May
Varela
Basic guideBeaches.
2–3 nights in Varela · Best Nov–May
Cacheu
Basic guideHistory and mangroves.
1 night in Cacheu · Best Nov–May
Bolama
Basic guideColonial ruins.
1 night in Bolama · Best Nov–May
Decide the trip
What the country is like, who it suits and how long to give it
Open Decide the tripClose Decide the trip7 partsUnderstand in one strip · At a glance · Understand · First vs second trip · Good for · Time math · Fit my nights
Understand in one stripCapital · Language · Currency · Plugs · Driving · Tipping · Emergency · Time zone
- Capital
- Bissau, on the Geba estuary
- Language
- Portuguese official; Guinea-Bissau Kriol spoken by most; Balanta, Fula, Mandinka, Bijagó and others
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF), 655.957 per euro
- Plugs
- Types C and F; 220 V 50 Hz
- Driving
- Right-hand side; potholed roads, no night driving
- Tipping
- Appreciated; 5–10% or round up
- Emergency
- 117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (check)
- Time zone
- UTC+0 all year
Guinea-Bissau: open now, and what is next
2 regions planned
On this page
- 1 of 3 regions open, with where to sleep and for how long
- 1 trip line with arrival paths and day plans
- 6 basic city guides
- How to split 5, 8, 11 days
- Money: cash, cards and ATMs
- Safety notes and the rules that apply on every page below
Coming as the guide grows
- Bijagós Archipelago — Island lodges, sea turtles, fishing and birding; boat transfers · 4–6 nights
- Cacheu and Varela — Mangroves, historic fort town and the northern beaches · 2–3 nights
At a glance
Each bar is 1 to 5. Green means the score makes the trip easier, amber is middling, red is harder; the words next to each score say what that end of the scale means, so colour is never the only signal.
Cheap locally; islands expensive because of boats.
Cash euros and CFA; ATMs unreliable for foreign cards.
Portuguese and Kriol; English rare.
Orange and MTN 4G in Bissau; weak on islands.
Tides, boats and bad roads.
Low crime against visitors, but a military transition and coup history.
Humid; very wet Jul–Sep.
Understand
A small country of about 2.1 million people with over 80 islands and one of the richest coastal ecosystems in West Africa. It won independence from Portugal by armed struggle led by Amílcar Cabral, and has since had repeated coups and attempted coups. The army took power again after the November 2025 election; a transition is set to end with elections on 6 December 2026 (check). Cashews are the main export.
- People
- Balanta, Fula, Mandinka, Manjaco, Papel, Bijagó and others.
- Belief
- About 45% Muslim, 20% Christian, with widespread traditional beliefs (check figures).
- Politics
- Military-led transition since November 2025 (check).
- Economy
- Cashews, fishing, rice; heavy aid dependence.
History that still shows on the ground · 9 dates
| When | What happened | Where you meet it today |
|---|---|---|
| 15th c. | Portuguese reach the coast; Cacheu becomes a slave-trade post | Kriol and Luso-African culture. |
| 1879 | Portuguese Guinea separated from Cape Verde | Colonial capital at Bolama, then Bissau (1941). |
| 1959 | Pidjiguiti dock massacre | Starts the armed struggle. |
| 1963–1974 | PAIGC independence war | Cabral assassinated 1973. |
| 1973–74 | Independence declared, then recognised by Portugal | After the Carnation Revolution. |
| 1980 | Coup splits Guinea-Bissau from Cape Verde | End of the joint project. |
| 1998–99 | Civil war | Bissau damaged. |
| 2012 | Coup; 'narco-state' label | Cocaine transit concerns. |
| 2025 | Army seizes power after election; Bijagós on UNESCO list (check) | Transition and conservation spotlight. |
Read or watch before you go
- Patrick Chabal — Amílcar Cabral: Revolutionary Leadership and People's War.
- Basil Davidson — No Fist Is Big Enough to Hide the Sky.
First trip vs second trip
| Trip | Go to | Why | Leave for later |
|---|---|---|---|
| First trip (7 nights) | Bissau 1–2, Bijagós 5 | Islands are the point. | The interior. |
| Second trip | Orango and João Vieira-Poilão, Varela, Cacheu | Turtles, saltwater hippos, beaches. | Rainy-season boats. |
| Combine | Casamance (Senegal) + Guinea-Bissau | Overland from Ziguinchor. | Border roads at night. |
Good for…
Verdict is how well Guinea-Bissau works for that traveller.
Few services and a political transition.
- 1Bijagós lodge — everything arranged.
- 1Bissau — grilled oysters and Portuguese touches.
Boats make the islands costly.
- 1Bubaque — public ferry and guesthouses.
- 1Island lodge — safe beaches.
- 1Bijagós — remote island stays.
- 1Bubaque — travellers' hub.
Boats and limited care.
- 1Bissau — short stays.
- 1Top island lodges — the only high end.
Boats, sand and no adapted facilities.
- 1Bissau hotels — some ground floors.
Time math
- 5 days in total
- Bissau 1 + Bijagós 4
- 8 days in total
- Bissau 2 + Bijagós 5 + Bissau 1 before the flight
- 11 days in total
- Bissau 2 + Bijagós 5 + Varela 3 + Bissau 1
Which regions fit my nights?
Tick the regions you are weighing up. The nights are the ranges this guide gives for each region.
Tick the regions you are considering.
Cities
Regions, cities and the places between them
Open CitiesClose Cities5 partsRegions · Cities · Other destinations · See · Do
Regions
Island lodges, sea turtles, fishing and birding; boat transfers
4–6 nights in this region
Mangroves, historic fort town and the northern beaches
2–3 nights in this region
Cities
Capital: Bissau Velho, Pidjiguiti, Bandim market.
Main Bijagós town and ferry port.
Faded former colonial capital on an island.
Old fort and slave-trade memorial.
River town, Cabral's birthplace.
Fula heartland in the east.
Other destinations
| Place | What | Getting there | Why go / verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bijagós Archipelago | Biosphere reserve and UNESCO site (check) | Boat from Bissau | Island lodges, matriarchal Bijagó villages, birds. |
| Orango National Park | Island park | Boat from Bubaque | Saltwater hippos and the Okinka Pampa queen's tomb. |
| João Vieira-Poilão Marine Park | Marine park | Boat, 2–3 h | Green turtle nesting, one of Africa's largest. |
| Varela → | Beaches | 3–4 h by road | Long wild beaches near Senegal. |
| Cacheu → | Historic town | 2 h from Bissau | Fort and memorial; mangroves. |
| Cantanhez forest | National park | South, rough road | Chimpanzees and forest villages. |
See
Bissau
- Fortaleza de São José da Amura · Bissau
- Pidjiguiti memorial · Bissau
- Bandim market · Bissau
Walk Bissau Velho in the morning.
Islands
- Bubaque · Bijagós
- Orango · Bijagós
- Poilão · Bijagós
Pick one lodge and use it as a base for day boats.
Do
| Activity | Where | Best months | Cost (2026 estimate) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport fishing | Bijagós | Nov–May | Lodge packages | The islands' main tourism. |
| Turtle watching | Poilão, Orango | Aug–Nov | Guided trips | Rainy season only. |
| Hippo tracking | Orango | Dec–May | Guide fee | Saltwater hippos in lagoons. |
| Carnival | Bissau | Feb–Mar | Free | Masks and music. |
Connect the cities
Ready-made routes, the route builder and the legs between cities
Open Connect the citiesClose Connect the cities3 partsItineraries · Route builder · Between cities
Itineraries by length
Boats set the pace; keep a buffer day in Bissau before flying.
7 days
Bissau and one island
Bissau → Bijagós lodge → Bissau
Lodge transfer both ways.
10 days
Islands and the north
Bissau → Bijagós → Bissau → Cacheu → Varela
Varela is close to the Senegal border — check advice.
Build a route
Based on: Islands and the north (10 days, itineraries by length)
- Bissau1 nightTransfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
- Bijagós5 nightsTransfer not on file yet: check the A-to-B tool.
- Cacheu1 nightSee the options All options →
- Varela2 nightsSee the options All options →
- Bissau1 night
Varela is close to the Senegal border — check advice.
What this route costs
- Bissau1 night · city pricesXOF 110,000
- Bijagós5 nightsXOF 900,000
- Cacheu1 nightXOF 180,000
- Varela2 nightsXOF 400,000
- Bissau1 night · city pricesXOF 110,000
Total, 2 travelers
XOF 1,700,000
Per person per day: XOF 85,000
2026 estimate (check): rooms for two, food, local transport and sights; international flights, visas and insurance excluded. Tweak it in the budget calculator.
Getting between cities
| Between | Fastest | Other ways | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bissau to Bolama | Ferry / boat · 2–3 hBoat | — | All options → |
| Bissau to Cacheu | Car / taxi · 2.5–3 hCar, 2.5–3 h | — | All options → |
How each mode works hereAny two places: A-to-BIs a rail pass worth it?
This month
Weather and crowds by month
Open This monthClose This month2 partsYear at a glance · Climate
Year at a glance
Every month in one list: how it rates, how busy and pricey it is, and which holidays land in it.
- Rated avoid
- Jul–Sep
Jan
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- New Year's Day (low impact)
- Heroes' Day (Amílcar Cabral) (low impact)
Feb
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Carnival (medium impact)
Mar
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Carnival (medium impact)
- Korité (Eid al-Fitr) (medium impact)
- International Women's Day (low impact)
Apr
GoodCrowds: lowPrices: mediumMay
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: low- Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) (medium impact)
- Labour Day (low impact)
Jun
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: lowJul
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: lowAug
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: low- Pidjiguiti Day (low impact)
Sep
AvoidCrowds: lowPrices: low- Independence Day (medium impact)
Oct
CautionCrowds: lowPrices: lowNov
GoodCrowds: lowPrices: medium- Readjustment Movement Day (low impact)
Dec
GoodCrowds: mediumPrices: medium- Christmas (low impact)
Climate by region and month
| Zone | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coast and BissauBissau, Cacheu, Varela | best | best | best | hot | hot | wet | wet | storm | storm | wet | ok | best |
| Bijagós islandsBubaque, Orango, João Vieira, Rubane | best | best | best | best | ok | wet | wet | storm | storm | wet | ok | best |
| Interior eastBafatá, Gabú | best | haze | hot | hot | hot | wet | wet | wet | wet | wet | ok | best |
- Coast and Bissau
- Dry and pleasant Dec–Mar with Harmattan haze; very wet Jul–Sep (Bissau gets about 2,000 mm a year).
- Bijagós islands
- Sea breezes; rough crossings in the rains; turtle nesting Aug–Nov.
- Interior east
- Hotter and drier; Harmattan dust Jan–Mar.
December to April is the season; most island lodges close from about June to October.
Cost
What a day costs, and how to pay
Open CostClose Cost4 partsMoney at a glance · Daily budget · Costs · Money & passes
Money at a glance
Currency and cash
West African CFA franc (XOF), 655.957 per euro
Cash for almost everything
Cash or card
ATMs
On landing: Change euros in town or at your hotel.
A day, per person
- Backpacker24,000–45,000
- Mid-range80,000–170,000
- Comfort205,000–315,000
Per person per day, bed included
What that covers ↓Tipping
- Lodge staff: Tip box at the end, €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) a day per party.
- Boat crew: €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) per trip.
Money & passesCard, cash or ATM: the cheapest way to payTipping calculator
Budget per day, per person
Per person per day, sharing at mid and comfort. 2026 estimate.
| Tier | Bed | Food | Transport | Sights | Extras | Total, bed included |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BackpackerGuesthouse, local food, public boats | 12,000–20,000 | 5,000–8,000 | 3,000–8,000 | 2,000–5,000 | 2,000–4,000 | 24,000–45,000 |
| Mid-rangeFull-board lodge, shared boats | 50,000–90,000 | incl.–15,000 | 20,000–40,000 | 5,000–15,000 | 5,000–10,000 | 80,000–170,000 |
| ComfortTop lodge, private boats | 120,000–170,000 | incl. | 60,000–100,000 | 15,000–25,000 | 10,000–20,000 | 205,000–315,000 |
Costs per day
Backpacker
25,000–40,000 XOF (€40–60 (≈ US$50–70))
Guesthouse in Bissau or Bubaque, local food, public ferry.
Per person per day · Includes a bed
Mid-range
80,000–150,000 XOF (€120–230 (≈ US$140–300))
Island lodge full board, transfers shared.
Per person per day · Includes a bed
Comfort
200,000 XOF+ (€300 (≈ US$350)+)
Top fishing or eco-lodge, private boat.
Per person per day · Includes a bed
| Typical price | Amount |
|---|---|
| Plate of rice and sauce in Bissau | 1,500–3,000 XOF |
| Beer (Cristal, Super Bock) | 750–1,500 XOF |
| Bissau hotel double | 30,000–70,000 XOF |
| Island lodge full board, per person | €80–250 (≈ US$95–300) (check) |
| Park entry, Orango or João Vieira | Check with IBAP |
2026 estimate. Island transfers are the main cost; lodges often bundle them.
Budget calculator
- Beds1 room × 10 nightsXOF 600,000
- Food and drink2 × 10 daysXOF 400,000
- Local transport2 × 10 daysXOF 600,000
- Sights and tours2 × 10 daysXOF 200,000
Trip total, 2 travellers
XOF 1,800,000
Per person per day: XOF 90,000
2026 estimate. Beds priced per room for two; international flights, insurance and visas excluded. Mid and high assume full-board lodges and shared or private boats.
Money & passes
Cash necessity: 5/5 (5 means cash for most things)
- Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African states and pegged to the euro.
- Almost everything is cash; do not count on ATMs accepting foreign cards, and bring euros to exchange.
- Island lodges often quote and accept euros; confirm card or transfer payment before arrival.
Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry
Getting in
Before you go, entry rules and the first day
Open Getting inClose Getting in5 partsBefore you go · Arrive · Entry · Documents · First 24 hours
Before you go
What to sort, and by when, before a trip to Guinea-Bissau. Pick your passport and flight date; everything else follows.
Add your flight date to turn “weeks before” into dates.
Arrival and customs
Yellow fever card checked at the airport; fill the paper arrival card.
Apply for the visa (90 days)
60 days beforeCost: About €60–100 depending on embassy — check. Apply at an embassy or consulate; the consulate in Ziguinchor (Senegal) has issued visas quickly for overlanders. Get the visa before travel. A visa on arrival with online pre-registration has operated at Bissau airport — check if it is running. Apply only on the official site.
Vaccines and medicines
6 weeks beforeRequired for all. Ask a travel clinic about: Malaria, Yellow fever, Cholera and water-borne illness. Some vaccines need weeks or two doses; carry prescriptions in their boxes.
eSIM or roaming
2 weeks beforeOrange and MTN (check operator names after rebrands) sell SIMs in Bissau; passport needed.
Cards and cash
2 weeks beforeCash for almost everything (cash need 5/5). Almost everything is cash; do not count on ATMs accepting foreign cards, and bring euros to exchange.
Pack a plug adapter (type C or F)
7 days beforeSockets here: type C, F. UK plugs need an adapter.
Lead times are Voykit's safe margins, not official deadlines (check the official portal). The full countdown with calendar reminders: Before-you-go countdown · Passport check.
Arrive
Entry: visas and borders
A visa is required for almost everyone except ECOWAS citizens. The UK advises getting it before travel, from a Guinea-Bissau embassy (Paris, Lisbon, Dakar, Ziguinchor or Banjul); online pre-registration for a visa on arrival at Bissau airport has operated for many nationalities, but availability has changed — check before flying. A yellow fever certificate is required of every arriving traveller.
Get the visa before travel.
- Cost
- About €60–100 depending on embassy — check
- Form to fill
- Apply at an embassy or consulate; the consulate in Ziguinchor (Senegal) has issued visas quickly for overlanders.
- Arrival card
- Yellow fever card checked at the airport; fill the paper arrival card.
- Passport
- At least 6 months from arrival.
- Onward ticket
- Return ticket expected.
A visa on arrival with online pre-registration has operated at Bissau airport — check if it is running.
| Who | Rule | Stay | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Most nationalities | Visa before travel (embassy) or pre-registered visa on arrival where running | Up to 90 days | Check which option is open after the 2025 takeover. |
| ECOWAS citizens | Free movement | 90 days | — |
| Overlanders from Senegal | Consulate in Ziguinchor | Up to 90 days | Same-day issue has been common — check. |
By land and river
| Crossing | To / from | Mode | Visa there | Trap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| São Domingos – Mpack | Senegal (Ziguinchor) | Sept-place Ziguinchor – Bissau, 3–4 h | Guinea-Bissau visa in advance | Canada advises against non-essential travel within 20 km (12 mi) of this border.Canada advises against non-essential travel within 12 mi (20 km) of this border. |
| Pirada – Salikénié | Senegal (Kolda) | Road | As above | Remote, poor road. |
| Buruntuma / Gabú – Koundara | Guinea | Bush taxi, rough track | Guinea e-visa | Long, slow, rainy-season impassable. |
| Cacine – Boké area | Guinea (coast) | Track and ferries | Guinea e-visa | Very few vehicles; check. |
- Yellow fever certificate required of all travellers.
- Carry passport copies for checkpoints; they multiply before elections.
Documents checklist
0/4 ready
First 24 hours
Do these before you leave the airport.
Documents: Hand over the yellow fever card with the passport.
Checked for all.
Cash: Change euros in town or at your hotel.
ATMs may reject foreign cards.
Transfer: Take the hotel or lodge pickup.
Few taxis at night.
Boat: Confirm tide time for the island transfer.
Departure times move daily.
Getting around
Modes, times and the clock
Open Getting aroundClose Getting around2 partsGet around · Local time
Get around
| Mode | Bissau → Bubaque | Cost | Use it when | What breaks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lodge boat transfer | 1.5–4 h depending on island | €100–400 (≈ US$120–500) per boat or included (check) | The reliable way to the Bijagós. | Tides decide departure times; weather cancels. |
| Public ferry Bissau – Bubaque | 4–5 h | Cheap | Runs a few times a week (check). | Crowded; irregular. |
| Canoa (pirogue) | Varies | Cheap | Locals use them between islands. | Overloaded and unsafe; avoid. |
| Sept-place / toca-toca | Bissau – Cacheu 2 h | Cheap | Shared cars and minibuses on mainland roads. | Old vehicles; daylight only. |
| Hired car with driver | Varies | €60–100 (≈ US$70–120) a day (check) | Easiest for Varela and Cacheu. | Fuel shortages happen. |
| Charter flight | 30 min | Expensive | Some lodges fly to Bubaque or Orango airstrips. | Small planes, strict bag limits. |
Local time
What time it is there now, compared with the clock on your device.
Bissau
…
Checking your clock…Africa/Bissau
Practical
Money rules, safety, holidays, health, phones and phrases
Open PracticalClose Practical13 partsNext 90 days · Holidays · Safety & health · Safety · Safety by region · Health · Scams · Emergency card · Practical · Connect · Talk · Survival phrases · Cope
Holidays in the next 90 days
Nov 14
in 13 days
Readjustment Movement DayMinor
Nov 14
Public holiday (check).
Dec 25
in 54 days
ChristmasMinor
Dec 25
Public holiday.
Jan 1
in 61 days
New Year's DayMinor
Jan 1
Public holiday.
Jan 20
in 80 days
Heroes' Day (Amílcar Cabral)Minor
Jan 20
Ceremonies in Bissau.
The full holiday listHolidays on your datesFestivals by month
Holidays and festivals
| When | What | Impact | What it does to a trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan | New Year's Day | low | Public holiday. |
| 20 Jan | Heroes' Day (Amílcar Cabral) | low | Ceremonies in Bissau. |
| Feb–Mar (moves) | Carnival | medium | Masks and parades in Bissau; the biggest cultural event. |
| 8 Mar | International Women's Day | low | Public holiday. |
| Mar 2026 (lunar — check) | Korité (Eid al-Fitr) | medium | Holiday in Muslim areas. |
| 1 May | Labour Day | low | Public holiday. |
| May 2026 (lunar — check) | Tabaski (Eid al-Adha) | medium | Holiday. |
| 3 Aug | Pidjiguiti Day | low | Remembers the 1959 dockworkers' massacre. |
| 24 Sep | Independence Day | medium | Parades. |
| 14 Nov | Readjustment Movement Day | low | Public holiday (check). |
| 25 Dec | Christmas | low | Public holiday. |
Safety and health at a glance
Emergency numbers
Where to take care
3/5 for a careful visitor · Low crime against visitors, but a military transition and coup history.
- high Within 20 km of the Senegal border · Casamance armed groups, banditry — Canada advises against non-essential travel.
- medium Bissau · Political gatherings, military checkpoints.
- medium Interior east · Roads.
Tap water
Health
Ask a travel clinic about: Malaria, Yellow fever, Cholera and water-borne illness.
Main risks: Medical care.
Top scams
- 1. Unofficial 'fees' at checkpoints · Stay polite; carry copies; ask for a receipt.
- 2. Unsafe pirogue offers · Use lodge boats.
- 3. Street money changers · Use banks or trusted hotels.
Safety
- Avoid demonstrations and military areas; the situation can change quickly.
- Boats: use lodge or reputable operators with life jackets; do not travel by sea in bad weather.
- Roads: travel in daylight only.
- Emergency numbers vary and may not always connect: save your hotel's, driver's and insurer's numbers, and check your government's advice page.
- Health: see a travel clinic well before you fly about vaccinations and malaria prevention; a yellow fever certificate is required for entry.
- Northern border: Canada advises against non-essential travel within 20 km (12 mi) of the Senegal border (Casamance armed groups, banditry).Northern border: Canada advises against non-essential travel within 12 mi (20 km) of the Senegal border (Casamance armed groups, banditry).
Guinea-Bissau sits between Senegal (Casamance) and Guinea; Dakar is the nearest air hub.
What four governments say
Comparison not available yet for this country
Strikes and disruptions
Official notices for the next 90 days. Open the full calendar.
No official-source strike or disruption notices for the next 90 days
Safety by region
Crime against visitors is low; political instability and the northern border are the watch-points.
| Region | Risk | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Bissau | medium | Political gatherings, military checkpoints. |
| Bijagós | low | Boat safety. |
| Within 20 km of the Senegal border | high | Casamance armed groups, banditry — Canada advises against non-essential travel. |
| Interior east | medium | Roads. |
Stay healthy
| Risk | Where / when | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Malaria | Nationwide, year-round | Prophylaxis, nets. |
| Yellow fever | Nationwide | Certificate required; vaccinate. |
| Cholera and water-borne illness | Rainy season | Bottled water, hand hygiene. |
| Medical care | Everywhere | Very limited; evacuation to Dakar or Lisbon — insurance essential. |
Scams and overcharges
| Trap | Where | Defence |
|---|---|---|
| Unofficial 'fees' at checkpoints | Roads | Stay polite; carry copies; ask for a receipt. |
| Unsafe pirogue offers | Bissau port | Use lodge boats. |
| Street money changers | Bissau | Use banks or trusted hotels. |
Emergency card
Guinea-Bissau emergency numbers — screenshot this card
Natural and on-the-ground hazards
| Hazard | When / where | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Political unrest | Transition, elections | Stay in, follow embassy messages. |
| Sea conditions | Jun–Oct | No crossings in storms. |
Alerts and apps
- Your government's travel registration.
Police, embassies, paperwork
- No UK, US or Canadian embassy with full services in Bissau (check); Dakar handles most consular cases.
Emergency card · Guinea-Bissau
- My passport
- — · find my embassy
- Insurance
- —
- Staying at
- —
Hospitals with emergency care
- Hospital Nacional Simão Mendes · Bissau centre, Bissau
- Private clinics on the Avenida · Bissau centre, Bissau
Practical
220 V · 50 Hz
Power cuts common; generators at lodges.
- Tap water
- Bottled only.
- Toilets
- Basic outside hotels.
- Weekly closing days
- Lodges close in the rains; government offices close early.
Tipping by situation
| Situation | What locals do |
|---|---|
| Lodge staff | Tip box at the end, €5–10 a day per party. |
| Boat crew | €5–10 per trip. |
Opening hours
| What | Typical hours | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Shops | 08:00–18:008:00 AM–6:00 PM | Siesta hours. |
| Bandim market | Dawn to dusk | Busiest mornings. |
Connect
- Orange and MTN (check operator names after rebrands) sell SIMs in Bissau; passport needed.
- Island coverage is patchy; lodges may have Wi-Fi.
- Messaging
- WhatsApp.
- Numbers
- Country code +245.
- Payments
- Cash.
Talk
Portuguese is the state language; Kriol, a Portuguese-based creole, is the common tongue. French is understood near the borders; English is rare.
| Where | Lingua franca | English | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bissau | Kriol, Portuguese | Rare | Portuguese greetings help. |
| Bijagós | Bijagó, Kriol | Rare | Lodge staff translate. |
| East | Fula, Mandinka | Rare | French sometimes. |
- Kriol: 'Kuma ku bu sta?' (how are you?), 'Obrigadu' (thank you), 'Kantu?' (how much).
Survival phrases
Cope
- Embassies
- Few in Bissau; Dakar covers many.
- Pharmacies
- Bissau only; bring all medication.
Culture and food
Rules, manners, what to eat, where to sleep and what to buy
Open Culture and foodClose Culture and food6 partsRules · Respect & laws · Eat · Drink · Sleep · Buy
Country rules
- Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Guinea-Bissau government sources before booking.
- Political instability occurs; avoid gatherings and check your government's advice before and during the trip.
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all arriving travellers; carry the original with your passport.
Etiquette
- Portuguese is official and Kriol is widely spoken; a greeting in Portuguese helps.
- Greetings come first: say hello and ask how someone is before any question or purchase; skipping this is rude.
- Some Bijagós sites are sacred: follow your guide's instructions on where you may go.
- Ask before photographing people, and do not photograph police, the military, airports or government buildings.
- Rainy season (about Jun–Oct)
- Heavy rain and rough seas; many island lodges close.
- Carnival (February or March)
- Celebrations in Bissau; busy streets.
- Election period (vote set for 6 December 2026, check)
- Possible curfews, border controls and protests.
Respect and laws that surprise
| Topic | The rule | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Sacred sites | Some Bijagós islands and forests are closed to outsiders or to one sex; follow guides. | Serious offence. |
| Military | No photos of soldiers, barracks or the presidency. | Arrest. |
| Politics | Avoid political talk and gatherings during the transition. | Detention. |
| Drugs | The country has been a cocaine transit hub; stay far from it. | Prison and danger. |
Everyday manners
| Situation | Do | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Greeting | Handshake and long hello | Skipping greetings |
| Sacred places | Ask guides first | Walking into sacred groves |
| Photos | Ask | Officials or soldiers |
Eat
Rice with sauces, oysters and fish from the mangroves, and Portuguese touches like bread and wine. Cashew fruit is made into juice and a strong spirit.
| Region | Style | Order this |
|---|---|---|
| Coast and islands | Fish, oysters, shellfish | Grilled fish, ostras |
| Interior | Rice and groundnut | Caldo de mancarra |
Dish finder
Region
Diet
10 of 10 dishes
- Jollof riceNationwide
Arroz jollof
Rice cooked in tomato sauce with fish or meat.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, fish stock or sauce · vegetarian version exists — ask
- Caldo de mancarraNationwide
Kaldu di mankara
Groundnut stew with chicken or fish.
Lunch · Usually has chicken · vegetarian version exists — ask
- Caldo de chabéuNationwide
Kaldu di chebén
Palm-nut sauce with fish or meat on rice.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, fish stock or sauce
- Grilled oystersMangroves
Ostras
Mangrove oysters grilled on the fire.
Snack · Usually has fish/seafood
- Grilled fishCoast
Pexe asadu
Barracuda or bream with lime and onion.
Lunch, dinner · Usually has fish/seafood
- YassaNationwide
Yassa
Chicken in lime and onion.
Dinner · Usually has chicken · vegetarian version exists — ask
- Caldo brancoNationwide
Kaldu branku
Light fish soup.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood, fish stock or sauce
- Fried fish with riceCoast
Arroz ku pexe fritu
Fried bonga or bream with rice and onion-lime sauce.
Lunch · Usually has fish/seafood
- Goat stewNationwide
Kabra
Goat stewed with onions for feasts.
Holidays · Usually has lamb
- Pão com ovoStreet
Pon ku ovu
Bread with fried egg for breakfast.
Breakfast · Usually has egg · vegetarian version common
Tags describe the usual recipe, not every kitchen. Stocks and sauces hide animal products: ask, or show the allergy card below.
Table manners
- Shared bowls in homes; right hand.
Allergy / diet card — show it, do not say it
Sou alérgico a ___. Este prato tem ___? (Kriol: N ta pega alerjia ku ___. E kumida tene ___?)
“I am allergic to ___. Does this dish have ___?”
- Peanuts
- amendoim / mankara
- Fish
- peixe / pexe
- Shellfish
- marisco
- Oysters
- ostras
- Egg
- ovo / ovu
- Milk
- leite / leti
- Wheat
- trigo
- Meat
- carne / karni
Diets: the reality
| Diet | On the ground | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Vegetarian | Hard; rice, beans, eggs and bread. | Ask lodges ahead. |
| Peanut allergy | Groundnut sauces common. | Show the card. |
Drink
- Legal age
- 18 (check).
- Sales
- Widely sold.
| Drink | What it is | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Cashew juiceSumu di kaju | Fermented or fresh cashew-fruit juice. | Cheap |
| CanaKana | Strong cashew or cane spirit. | Cheap |
| Palm wineBambu | Tapped palm sap. | Cheap |
| BeerCristal, Super Bock | Portuguese and local lagers. | 750–1,500 XOF |
- Portuguese wine is common in Bissau restaurants.
Sleep
| Type | Price (2026 estimate) | Use it for | Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Island lodge | €80–250 (≈ US$95–300) full board | Bijagós | Transfers extra; seasonal. |
| Fishing camp | Package | Bijagós | Priced for anglers. |
| Guesthouse | €20–50 (≈ US$25–60) | Bissau, Bubaque, Varela | Generators, water. |
| Hotel | €50–120 (≈ US$60–140) | Bissau | Few options. |
Registration and the law
- Hotels register passports.
Booking reality
- Book lodges with transfers included.
Buy
Little shopping; Bandim market and Bijagó carvings.
Prices and bargaining
- Gentle bargaining in markets.
What to bring home
| Item | Where | Watch |
|---|---|---|
| Pano di pinti cloth | Bissau | Hand-woven textile. |
| Cashews | Anywhere | Roasted, cheap in season. |
Customs allowances on arrival
| What | Limit or rule |
|---|---|
| Wildlife products | Banned |
Deep dive
Questions, where next, photos, reading and every source
Open Deep diveClose Deep dive3 partsGo next · Deep dive · Sources
Go next
Sources compared: Wikivoyage — Guinea-Bissau · Wikitravel — Guinea-Bissau. Section coverage was checked against these community guides (CC BY-SA) as secondary sources; the text on this page is Voykit's own, with facts cross-checked against the official sources above.
Deep dive
This deep dive is for the traveller who wants to understand a small, fragmented country of rivers and islands: a Portuguese colony that won independence through one of Africa's most admired liberation movements, then struggled with coups, and whose Bijagós islands keep matriarchal traditions and one of the richest coastal ecosystems on the Atlantic.
1Rivers, kingdoms and Portuguese trade1 min
The mainland was part of the Kaabu kingdom, a Mandinka state that grew out of the Mali empire and ruled the region from the 13th century until the Fula conquered its capital in 1867. Along the coast, Balanta, Papel, Manjaco and Bijagó communities lived in decentralised societies without kings.
Portuguese sailors reached the coast in the 1440s. Cacheu, founded in 1588, became a slave-trading post tied to Cape Verde; Luso-African traders called lançados settled on the rivers, and Kriol grew as the common language of trade.
Real colonial control came late: the Bijagós resisted until the 1930s, and Portugal separated the colony from Cape Verde only in 1879, with the capital at Bolama until 1941.
- Kaabu
- 13th c. – 1867
- Cacheu founded
- 1588
- Capital moved to Bissau
- 1941
2Cabral and the liberation war1 min
On 3 August 1959 Portuguese forces fired on striking dockworkers at Pidjiguiti in Bissau, killing dozens. The PAIGC, founded by agronomist Amílcar Cabral, turned to armed struggle in 1963 and by the early 1970s controlled much of the countryside, running schools and clinics in liberated zones.
Cabral's writing on culture and resistance influenced movements worldwide. He was assassinated in Conakry in January 1973; independence was declared that September and recognised by Portugal in 1974 after the Carnation Revolution — itself partly a result of the colonial wars.
The plan to unite with Cape Verde ended in 1980, when João Bernardo 'Nino' Vieira seized power in Bissau.
- Pidjiguiti massacre
- 3 August 1959
- War
- 1963–1974
- Cabral assassinated
- 20 January 1973
- Independence declared
- 24 September 1973
3Coups, cocaine and the 2025 transition1 min
Since independence no elected president completed a full term until José Mário Vaz in 2019. A civil war in 1998–99 wrecked Bissau; Vieira was killed by soldiers in 2009; a 2012 coup interrupted an election. In the 2000s Latin American cartels used the islands and airstrips to move cocaine to Europe, earning the country the 'narco-state' label.
Umaro Sissoco Embaló governed from 2020. After the presidential and legislative elections of 23 November 2025, the army announced on 26 November that it had taken control and suspended the electoral process; a transitional government under military oversight has scheduled new elections for 6 December 2026 (check). ECOWAS has pressed for a short transition.
- Military takeover
- 26 November 2025
- Planned elections
- 6 December 2026 (check)
4The Bijagós: islands and matriarchs1 min
The archipelago of 88 islands, about 20 of them inhabited, is a UNESCO biosphere reserve and joined the World Heritage List in 2025 (check). Its mangroves, mudflats and channels host hundreds of thousands of migratory waders, green turtles that nest on Poilão, and hippos that live in brackish lagoons on Orango and swim between islands.
Bijagó society gives women a central role: on some islands women choose husbands, own houses and lead rituals. Initiation ceremonies (fanado) mark passage to adulthood, and some islands and groves are sacred and off-limits to outsiders. Queen Okinka Pampa of Orango, who made peace with Portugal in the 1930s, is buried on the island.
- Islands
- 88, about 20 inhabited
- Biosphere reserve
- 1996
- Turtle nesting
- Poilão, Aug–Nov
5People and belief1 min
More than twenty ethnic groups share the country: Fula and Mandinka in the east, mostly Muslim; Balanta, the largest group, and Papel, Manjaco and Bijagó in the west, many following traditional religions or Christianity. Kriol ties them together.
Traditional shrines (baloba) and spirit mediators remain important even among Muslims and Christians; the Balanta are known for rice farming in reclaimed mangrove fields.
- Largest group
- Balanta (about a quarter)
- Lingua franca
- Kriol
6Cashews, carnival and gumbé1 min
Cashew nuts make up most exports and employ most rural families; the April–June harvest drives the economy, and cashew fruit becomes juice, wine and spirits. Rice, fish and palm oil are the other staples.
Carnival in Bissau, with masks from different ethnic groups, is the biggest national festival. Gumbé, a polyrhythmic music style, and singers like Super Mama Djombo, whose revolutionary songs of the 1970s are still loved, carry the country's sound.
- Main export
- Cashew nuts
- Carnival
- February–March
Read, watch, wordsReading · Watching · Glossary · Sources
Reading
- Amílcar Cabral: Revolutionary Leadership and People's War — Patrick ChabalThe standard study of Cabral.
- No Fist Is Big Enough to Hide the Sky — Basil DavidsonThe liberation war from the inside.
Watching
- Mortu Nega — Flora Gomes, 1988The war and its aftermath.
- Nha Fala — Flora Gomes, 2002A musical about a woman who breaks a family curse.
Glossary
| Term | Local | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Kriol | Kriol | Portuguese-based creole spoken nationwide. |
| PAIGC | PAIGC | Liberation party of Guinea and Cape Verde. |
| baloba | baloba | Traditional shrine. |
| fanado | fanadu | Initiation ceremony. |
| gumbé | gumbé | Popular music style. |
| tabanca | tabanka | Village. |
Read for this deep dive
- Wikivoyage — Guinea-Bissau ↗
- Wikipedia — History of Guinea-Bissau ↗
- Wikipedia — 2025 Guinea-Bissau coup ↗
- Canada travel advice: Guinea-Bissau ↗
Background reading only: the text above is written by Voykit, not copied from these pages.
Sources
Ask about Guinea-Bissau
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