Major city · Guinea-Bissau
Buba
Half a day to see the market and mosque, then move on to the Bijagós or Bissau. Not a base: one night max, unless you're here for the port project.
Buba is a quiet market town on the Rio Grande de Buba, planned as a future capital in the early 2000s but now a stop on the N2 highway. The main draw is Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park, a wetland reserve 20 km away. Most travellers pass through on the way between Bissau and the southern islands.
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 impassable)
- Airport
- OXB
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Buba117 ▾
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 Buba, 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
- SafetycheckBuba is calm, but the November 2025 military takeover means check your government's travel advice.
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 2.5 h by road; no direct public transport).
- Getting aroundWalkable centre.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealMeal at a market stallCFA 1,000–2,000
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Mototaxi ride (within town)CFA 200–500
- Budget bedBasic room (shared bathroom), a night, per roomXOF 7,000
- Mid-range bedBasic room (shared bathroom), a night, per roomXOF 10,000
- High-end bedBasic room (shared bathroom), a night, per roomXOF 15,000
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 2.5 h by road; no direct public transport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Mar
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Nov–May. Avoid: Jun–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Aug (22 rain days), driest Jan (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Buba: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Feb
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
0 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
20 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
22 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
18 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
10 rd
Nov
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°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. Mototaxis (CFA 200–500) for the park access road or to the port site. Buses from the roundabout go to Catio, Bissau and Bafatá.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Lagoas de Cufada Natural Park
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Mototaxi from Buba roundabout, about 20 min
No facilities; bring water and a guide.
Bolama
cautionDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Bus to Fulacunda, then pirogue from São João (CFA 300); total about 3 h
Check tide times for the pirogue crossing.
Bissau
goDoor to door: About 3 h
Bus from the roundabout, about 2.5 h
Direct buses run in the morning.
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.
Near the roundabout
Closest to bus station and market; Pousada Bela Vista is 1 km (0.6 mi) south on the river.Closest to bus station and market; Pousada Bela Vista is 0.6 mi (1 km) south on the 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
- High
- CFA 35,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic room (shared bathroom)1 × 1 night × XOF 10,000 | XOF 10,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × XOF 20,000 | XOF 20,000 |
| Mototaxi from roundabout to park entrance (return)1 × XOF 4,000 · check | XOF 4,000 |
| Bus Buba → Bissau1 × XOF 3,000 · check | XOF 3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | XOF 3,700 |
| Trip total≈ XOF 40,700 per person per day, bed included | XOF 40,700 |
2026 estimate in CFA francs; flights excluded.
Prices of common things
| Mototaxi ride (within town) | CFA 200–500 |
| Bus Buba → Bissau | CFA 3,000 (check) |
| Pirogue São João → Bolama | CFA 300 |
| Meal at a market stall | CFA 1,000–2,000 |
| Bottle of water (1.5 L) | CFA 500–800 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road works on N2 between Nova Sintra and Fulacunda (as of 2023) may cause delays.
- No ATM in Buba: bring cash from Bissau.
- Lagoas de Cufada has no official visitor centre or marked trails: hire a guide in town or skip.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 117
- Fire
- 118
- Ambulance
- 119
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
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BubaBuba
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Leva-m na rotunda, pur favorTake me to the roundabout, please
Emergency
- Police117
- Fire118
- Ambulance119
Embassy
Most embassies are in Bissau; the US and EU have consular services there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Buba → Bissau: about CFA 3,000, 2.5 h (check)
- Mototaxi to park entrance: CFA 2,000 each way
Say or show
- Ola — Hello (oh-lah)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-gah-doo)
- Kantu? — How much? (kan-too)
- Undi ki bus? — Where is the bus? (oon-dee kee boos)
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 Buba. 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 impassable) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 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
- officialPousada Bela Vista
- secondaryWikivoyage: Buba, revision 5065694 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Buba
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