Major city · Guinea-Bissau
Bafatá
Half a day to see the colonial centre and Amílcar Cabral sites; not a base. One night if you need a stop between Bissau and Gabú.
Bafatá is a quiet inland town on the Geba River, known as the birthplace of Amílcar Cabral. The old colonial centre has cobbled streets and a riverbank market. Most travellers pass through on the Bissau–Gabú road, stopping for an hour or two. The town has basic lodging and a few restaurants, enough for one night if you are breaking the journey.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- XOF
- Best months
- Nov–May
- avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, roads may be bad)
- Airport
- OXB
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 7Nine 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.
- Guinea-Bissau ↗Check visa and entry rules for your passport on official Guinea-Bissau government sources before booking.
- Guinea-Bissau ↗Political instability occurs; avoid gatherings and check your government's advice before and during the trip.
- Guinea-Bissau ↗A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required of all arriving travellers; carry the original with your passport.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Bafatá117 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bafatá, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), shared with other West African states and pegged to the euro.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckOrange and MTN (check operator names after rebrands) sell SIMs in Bissau; passport needed.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- Tap waterBottled only.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- TippingLodge staff: Tip box at the end, €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) a day per party.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- SafetyBafatá is generally safe, but petty theft can occur.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsBasic outside hotels.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- Emergency numbers117 police · 118 fire · 119 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysLodges close in the rains; government offices close early.Guinea-Bissau-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportOXB Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (Bissau) (About 2 h by car or sept-place; no domestic flights to Bafatá).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- BeerImported beer at Bar KasumaicheckCFA 1,000–2,000
- Budget bedBasic double room (fan, shared or bucket shower), a night, per roomXOF 10,000
- Mid-range bedBasic double room (fan, shared or bucket shower), a night, per roomXOF 15,000
- High-end bedBasic double room (fan, shared or bucket shower), a night, per roomXOF 20,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget XOF 10,000 · Mid XOF 20,000 · High XOF 35,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- OXB Osvaldo Vieira International Airport (Bissau) (About 2 h by car or sept-place; no domestic flights to Bafatá)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Feb
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Mar
Best
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Apr
Best
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Best
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Oct
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (21 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Bafatá: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Feb
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Mar
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
11 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
21 rd
Sep
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Walkable centre. For longer trips, use sept-places or taxis from the bus station (paragem) about 1 km east of the old centre.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Gabú
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Sept-place or shared taxi, about 1 h on a good road
Largest town in eastern Guinea-Bissau; market and mosque.
Buba
cautionDoor to door: About 2 h
Direct bus or change at Retunda De Bambadinca; about CFA 3,500 (2023 estimate)
Check departure times; infrequent.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Central Bafatá
Hotels on or near the main asphalt road; walking distance to the colonial centre and river.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CFA 10,000–15,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CFA 20,000–30,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic double room (fan, shared or bucket shower)1 × 1 night × XOF 10,000 | XOF 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × XOF 10,000 | XOF 10,000 |
| Sept-place Bissau–Bafatá, one way1 × XOF 2,500 · check | XOF 2,500 |
| Sept-place Bafatá–Gabú, one way1 × XOF 2,000 · check | XOF 2,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 2,500 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 27,000 per person per day, bed included | XOF 27,000 |
Check electricity hours and shower type.
2026 estimate in CFA francs; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Sept-place Bissau–Bafatácheck | CFA 2,500–3,500 |
| Sept-place Bafatá–Gabúcheck | CFA 2,000–3,000 |
| Hotel double room, basic | CFA 10,000–17,500 |
| Imported beer at Bar Kasumaicheck | CFA 1,000–2,000 |
| Basic meal at a local restaurantcheck | CFA 2,000–4,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Electricity in hotels runs on generators, usually 19:00–6:00 only; charge devices in advance.Electricity in hotels runs on generators, usually 7:00 PM–6:00 AM only; charge devices in advance.
- Bucket showers at some basic hotels; confirm before booking.
- No ATMs confirmed; bring CFA cash from Bissau.
- Roads are potholed; avoid night driving.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
BafatáBafatá
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Pa es adris, faborTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance119
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Sept-place Bissau–Bafatá: CFA 2,500–3,500, about 2 h (check)
- Sept-place Bafatá–Gabú: CFA 2,000–3,000, about 1 h (check)
Say or show
- Ola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Obrigadu — Thank you (oh-bree-gah-doo)
- Kantu? — How much? (kan-too)
- Undi ki paragem? — Where is the bus station? (oon-dee kee pah-rah-jem)
- N misti un kwartu — I need a room (n mees-tee oon kwahr-too)
Kriol is widely spoken; Portuguese is official but less common on the street.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Bafatá. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–May · avoid Jun–Oct (rainy season, roads may be bad) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Bafatá
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