When to go · São Tomé
São Tomé in January
Good month. Short dry spell; hot.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C) / 23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Low
- São Tomé and Príncipe overall
- Prices
- Medium
- São Tomé and Príncipe overall
Verdict
Short dry spell; hot.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than January?
January is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- São ToméHighs around 30 °C (86 °F), lows around 23 °C (73 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 86 °F (30 °C), lows around 73 °F (23 °C), rain on about 8 days
- São Tomé north and east, São Tomé and Príncipe · São Tomé city, Guadalupe, Lagoa Azulfine
Drier and sunnier in the rain shadow; gravana (June–September) is cooler and cloudy-bright; a short dry gravanito around December–January.
- São Tomé south and west, Obo forest, São Tomé and Príncipe · Porto Alegre, Ribeira Peixe, Obo, Pico Cão Granderainy
Among the wettest places in Africa — several metres of rain a year; even the dry season brings showers.
Little dry spell season
A shorter drier, hotter break in the wet season.
Watch: Rain is still possible; roads inland can be slow.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
New Year's Day
1 January · Nationwide
Public holiday; shops and offices close.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · São Tomé and Príncipe overall
- Low
- Prices · São Tomé and Príncipe overall
- Medium
São Tomé and Príncipe overall: Short dry spell (gravanito) and turtle nesting; warm and humid.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in São Tomé, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Good
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 30 °C (86 °F)86 °F (30 °C)
Jun: 28 °C (82 °F)82 °F (28 °C)
Night low
Jan: 23 °C (73 °F)73 °F (23 °C)
Jun: 22 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 8
Jun: 5 (better)
Crowds
Jan: Low
Jun: Medium
Prices
Jan: Medium
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 1
Jun: 0
January: Short dry spell; hot.
June: Gravana dry season starts; cooler.
São Tomé: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast