Malabo
Travelers come to Malabo for its Atlantic island setting, the rainforest of Bioko, and as a base for trips into the island's volcanic highlands.
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Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea, a small country on the Atlantic coast of Central Africa. The city sits on Bioko, an island in the Bight of Biafra, off the mainland. Some of its older buildings date from the Spanish colonial period, when the city was called Santa Isabel. Spanish is the main language you will hear, and the currency is the Central African CFA franc.
Most travelers use Malabo as a base for the island's forests, beaches and volcanic highlands, which include Pico Basilé, the island's highest peak. The city is small enough to cover in a few days. The drier months from December to February are the easiest time to travel, though rain falls for much of the year. Plan a short stay in the city, and add more days if you want to head into the island's interior.
Malabo in five
- Get your visa before you travelMost nationalities need a visa for Equatorial Guinea, and rules differ by passport. Apply through an embassy or consulate before you book flights.Visas and entry
- Carry CFA francs in cashThe currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF). Bring enough cash for the whole stay.Money and costs
- Check the yellow fever certificate ruleAsk the embassy whether your route needs a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Keep the card with your passport for the flight.
- Agree the fare before you ride a taxiAgree the price before you get in. Ask your hotel for a driver it knows.
- Download offline maps before you leaveSave maps and your hotel address offline before you leave home, since mobile coverage can be weak outside the center.Phones and eSIM
Need to know
- Currency
- Central African CFA franc (XAF)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most nationalities; apply before you travel
- Emergency
- No verified number here; save your embassy and hotel contacts
- Tipping
- Not fixed; ask your hotel what is usual
- Time
- UTC+1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryDriest months
- FebruaryDry season
- MarchRains return
- AprilRainy season
- MayRainy season
- JuneHeavy rain
- JulyHeavy rain
- AugustRainy, green
- SeptemberRainy season
- OctoberRainy season
- NovemberRains easing
- DecemberDry season starts
Right now in Malabo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 84%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 4%
Malabo
11:37 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°27°4%Monday: Fog. High 30°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Tue29°26°81%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Wed29°26°82%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 82%.
- Thu28°26°76%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 76%.
- Fri28°27°65%Friday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Sat29°27°73%Saturday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Sun28°27°85%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 27°. Chance of rain 85%.
Updated 11:10 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 587.8 XAF
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- LubaAsk your driver for the road timeA coastal town in the south-west of Bioko, reached by road.Read the guide
- Pico BasiléAsk a guide before you goThe volcano in the island's interior, for a longer walk with a guide.Read the guide
- Mainland Equatorial GuineaSeparate flight, not a day tripA separate trip by air, so plan it as a second trip rather than a day out.Read the guide
Before you go to Malabo
Rules for Malabo, checked
- Most nationalities need a visa for Equatorial Guinea. Check entry rules with the embassy or consulate before you book.
- Declare cash above the legal limit on the customs form at arrival. Check the current amount with customs before you travel.
- Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination if your route requires it. Check the requirement with the embassy or your travel clinic.
Plan around Malabo
The island Malabo sits on, with beaches and the Pico Basilé volcano
Read the guideAll of Equatorial GuineaThe wider country, including the mainland, for a longer route
Read the guideVisas and entryWhich passports need a visa and how to apply before flying
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices in the local currency
Read the guideGetting aroundTaxis and drivers for trips across Bioko
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels and guesthouses across Malabo and the island
Read the guideMalabo FAQ
Is Malabo worth visiting?
Yes, if you want an Atlantic island capital and trips out from it. Plan the stay around the island as well as the city.
How do you get to Malabo?
By air to Malabo International Airport on Bioko island. Check current airlines and connections, since routes change.
How many days do you need in Malabo?
Two or three days covers the city and one trip on the island, if your flights allow it. Add a day for each island trip you want.
Is Malabo safe for tourists?
Check the current travel advice from your government before you book. Ask your hotel about safe areas and drivers after dark.
When is the best time to visit Malabo?
The drier months run roughly December to February, and the rest of the year is wetter. Check the rain forecast for your dates before you book.