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Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

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.

Not field-verified

Guinea-Bissau has few tourist services outside Bissau and the Bijagós islands, and the political situation can change at short notice. Trips break on boat schedules, which depend on tides and weather, and on a lack of cash machines that take foreign cards. The rules that apply everywhere: book island stays with transfers included, bring enough cash, and check your government's advice before you travel.

All regions, cities and parks in Guinea-Bissau (Atlas) →

Regions

Bissauplanned

Capital; old town (Bissau Velho) and port

1–2 nights

Bijagós Archipelagoplanned

Island lodges, sea turtles, fishing and birding; boat transfers

4–6 nights

Cacheu and Varelaplanned

Mangroves, historic fort town and the northern beaches

2–3 nights

Arrive

OXB

Osvaldo Vieira International (Bissau)

Close to the city; few international flights

Time math

5 days
Bissau 1 + Bijagós 4
8 days
Bissau 2 + Bijagós 5 + Bissau 1 before the flight

Country rules

Inherited by every page below
  • 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.

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.

Money & passes

Cash necessity: 5/5

  • 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.

Before you fly: eSIM before you fly · Visas and entry

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, and check whether a yellow-fever vaccination certificate is required for your passport and route, including transits.

Guinea-Bissau sits between Senegal (Casamance) and Guinea; Dakar is the nearest air hub.

Open Africa

Sources