According to itypeauto, Sao Tomé and Príncipe (Portuguese: São Tomé e Príncipe) is a country and archipelago on the west coast of Africa. Sao Tome and Principe consists of the following six islands: Sao Tome, Principe, Pedras, Tiñosas, Rolas and Caroço. The capital of Sao Tome and Principe is Sao Tome. A number of major cities in Sao Tome and Principe are: Santo Amaro, Neves and Santana.
Sao Tome and Principe mainly consists of the main island of Sao Tome and the slightly smaller Principe. The islands are volcanic and tropical. There are exotic bird and plant species and there is still a lot of untouched nature. In addition, there are still a few volcanoes to be found. The islands have beautiful white sandy beaches with clear blue water where you can dive and snorkel to many colorful fish species and coral reefs. The economy is mostly based on agriculture. Think of the production of coconuts, coffee, cocoa and palm oil. There are some luxury resorts for tourists on the islands.
Where is Sao Tome and Principe?
The island of Principe is not shown on this map.
Travel information of Sao Tome and Principe
Official name: Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe
Continent: Africa
Area: 964 km²
Capital: Sao Tome
Country code: ST, STP
Population: 211,122 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,024 m (Pico de Sao Tome)
Distance (Amsterdam – Sao Tome): 5,782 km
Flight time: approximately 8 hours and 45 minutes
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), there may be (temporary) measures in Sao Tome and Principe that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of Sao Tome and Principe, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to Sao Tome and Principe. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compile your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about Sao Tome and Principe?
Weather and climate
Sao Tome and Principe has a tropical climate. Temperatures are around 28 degrees all year round.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for Sao Tome and Principe can be found on our extensive weather page.
Detailed information about the climate of Sao Tome and Principe can be found at Climate info.
Best time
June, July, August and September are the best months to travel to Sao Tome and Principe. In these months the least precipitation falls and the temperatures are not too high.
Language
Portuguese is the official language in Sao Tome and Principe.
Would you like to translate from or into Portuguese for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 3 months upon arrival in Sao Tome and Principe.
A visa is required. You can apply for this in person at the embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Brussels.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Angola (also for Sao Tome and Principe):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch consulate in Sao Tome and Principe: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting Sao Tome and Principe, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs in Sao Tome and Principe. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency
In Sao Tome and Principe, payment is made with the Sao Tome and Principe dobra (STD).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
There are no ATMs in Sao Tome and Principe.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 2 hours earlier in Sao Tome and Principe.
During our winter time it is 1 hour earlier in Sao Tome and Principe.
Sao Tome and Principe has no difference between winter time and summer time.
Find the local time, date and time zone for Sao Tome and Principe on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
In Sao Tome and Principe you have to drive on the right.
To drive and/or rent a motor vehicle in Sao Tome and Principe, you must have an international driver’s license. The international driver’s license is available at an ANWB shop.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within Sao Tome and Principe.
Electricity
In Sao Tome and Principe you may in some cases need a plug adapter.
More information about common plugs and sockets in Sao Tome and Principe can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 222222
– Fire: 112
– Ambulance: Local numbers
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news related to Sao Tome and Principe can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from Sao Tome and Principe can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from Sao Tome and Principe end with.st.
Official website of Sao Tome and Principe: saotome.st.
Telephony
The country code (international access code) to call someone in Sao Tome and Principe is 00239 or +239.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from Sao Tome and Principe? Then use the Dutch country code 0031 or +31.
(If using a country code, omit the leading 0 of the number to be called.)
Telephone numbers can be found in the Sao Tome and Principe Telephone Directory.
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of Sao Tome and Principe.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of Sao Tome and Principe.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from Sao Tome and Principe.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays in Sao Tome and Principe can be found on Beleven.org.
Reviews and Travel Reviews
TripAdvisor features traveler reviews of accommodations (eg hotels and vacation rentals), restaurants and destinations in Sao Tome and Principe, supplemented with photos, videos and points of interest.
Travelogues
Are you looking for a travelogue about Sao Tome and Principe?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited Sao Tome and Principe. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) in Sao Tome and Principe can be found on Protected Planet.
Sao Tome and Principe is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to Sao Tome and Principe? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, money and perfume, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. In addition, on this website you will find the laws and regulations regarding the import of pets and a list of everything that Sao Tome and Principe may not be imported and/or exported.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business in, or to do business with Sao Tome and Principe, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about Sao Tome and Principe, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to Sao Tome and Principe.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking at all ages.
– Alcohol and traffic: No maximum permitted alcohol content.
– Tobacco: Unknown
– Smoking ban: No
– Homosexuality: Not allowed (penal camp).
Did you know…
…about 74% of the islands are covered with tropical rainforest?
…There are many endemic animal species on Sao Tome and Principe?
…Sao Tome and Principe was for a long time the most important cocoa producer?
