Formalities
To visit the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe it is necessary to have a passport with a validity of at least one year issued by the authorities of the State of origin and a valid return ticket. Visas are granted on arrival at ports and airports according to immigration requirements. Visitors who remain in the territory of São Tomé beyond the period granted, are subject to measures of return to the country of origin.
How to travel
The most affordable and convenient way to travel to Sao Tome and Principe is through some companies operating in Europe and Africa.
Companies operating in São Tomé:
STP-Airways
- Flights from Lisbon
- Connection between islands: Thursday and Saturday - Lisbon / S.Tomé / Lisbon
- Website: www.stpairways.st
- Email: reservation@stpairways.st
- Avenida Marginal 12 de Julho, C.P. 45 – São Tomé
- Tel: (+239) 222 1976 | (+239) 222 1160
TAAG
- Flights from Luanda
- Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday: Luanda / S.Tomé / Luanda
- Website: www.taag.com.br
- Email: taagstp@cstome.net
- Avenida Giovani – São Tomé
- Tel: (+239) 224 11 50 e (+239) 222 19 16
TAP
- Flights from Lisbon
- Lisbon / Accra / S.Tomé / Accra / Lisbon
- Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
- Website: www.flytap.com
- Email: reservas.tap@cstome.net
- Rua Ex Dr. Luís Machado, C.P. 414 – São Tomé
- Tel: (+239) 222 23 07
CEIBA
- Flights from Malabo, Librevile and Bata
- Friday and Sunday - Malabo/ Bata / Librevile / S.Tomé
- Representative: STP-Tours
- Website: www.stptours.st
- Email: reservas@stptours.st
- Avenida Marginal 12 de Julho, C.P. 155 - São Tomé
- Tel: (+239) 222 37 05
Afric-Aviation
- Flights from Libreville
- Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
- Website: www.islandtuor-travel.com
- Email: islandtour.new@gmail.com
- Libreville / S. Tomé / Libreville
- Representative: Island Tours Avenida Gionani – São Tomé
- Tel: (+239) 222 76 61
Tourism Tax
Law no. 17/2014 regulating the collection of the tourist tax in Sao Tome and Principe of € 3.00 per person per night that is staying at the hotel came into effect on June 15, 2016.
Local Currency
The currency of São Tomé is Dobra, with the following exchange:
1 EUR - 24.500 Dobras
1 USD – 23.475 Dobras
Credit cards are not used in the country, except in the main hotel units.
Tourist Office
Located at Avenida Marginal 12 de Julho, with the following hours: from 8 am to noon and from 2 pm to 5 pm from Monday to Friday.
Climate
The climate is tropical humid, with temperatures varying between 22ºC and 30ºC and frequent precipitations. It should be noted that microclimates exist.
Communications
In São Tomé international connections are via satellite. International calls can be made in all hotels, you can also buy cards and recharges for mobile phones, in the store of the São Tomé telecommunications company - CST and UNITEL in several commercial establishments. These cards can be used on any unlocked mobile phone. There is also internet service in most hotel units.
The country code is 239.
Electricity
The electrical system is 220 Volts. Schedule of establishments: From Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 12h30 and from 15h00 to 17h30. Saturday from 08h00 to 13h00. The public sector operates from Monday to Friday from 07:00 a.m. to 03:30 p.m.
Health
Immunity from yellow fever vaccine for European foreigners. At present, the prevalence rate of malaria is low, which makes Sao Tome and Príncipe a moderate risk zone. You should use repellent on areas of the body that are discovered, especially at the end of the day.
The water that is in the taps is treated, but it is advisable to consume bottled water.
There is in the City of São Tomé a public hospital with a 24 hour emergency service