São Tomé & Príncipe
A trip to two volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea for rainforest hikes, old cocoa estates and beaches where hawksbill turtles nest.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a pair of volcanic islands in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of equatorial Central Africa. Two main islands, about 140 km apart, make up the country, along with several small islets. Only Seychelles is smaller and less populous among African states. Many colonial plantation estates, called roças, still stand.
São Tomé island is the larger and more mountainous of the two, with Pico de São Tomé rising to 2,024 metres and very wet highland cloud forests. Príncipe is smaller, about 30 km long, and its biosphere reserve was set up in 2012. The islands earned the nickname Chocolate Islands when, by 1905, they were the world's largest cocoa producer. Portuguese is the official language. Rainfall varies widely, so check conditions for the part of the country you plan to hike or swim, and plan travel between the islands around that 140 km gap.
Five things to know before São Tomé & Príncipe
- Check the 15-day visa-free limit
British visitors can stay up to 15 days without a visa; check your own passport. A 20-euro entry fee is due on arrival, payable in euros, US dollars or local currency. UK entry rules
- Check your route for yellow fever rules
A yellow fever certificate is required if you come from a country listed as a transmission risk. Check your connections against the list before you fly.
- Leave a buffer day before your flight home
Flights between São Tomé and Príncipe are short but few, and weather can delay them. Avoid connecting straight onto an international flight.
- Visit in the gravana dry season
June to September is the drier, slightly cooler season on the islands. The rest of the year is warm and wet, especially in the south and the forest.
- Bring euros in cash
The dobra is pegged to the euro and euros are widely accepted. Cards work in few places and ATMs are scarce, so bring enough cash for your stay.
São Tomé & Príncipe travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The 15-day visa-free stay for UK passports, the entry fee and yellow fever rules.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical and evacuation cover, and what policies exclude.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMGetting data in São Tomé & Príncipe from the day you land.
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards, ATMs and what to carry for rural stretches.
Read the guideGetting aroundDomestic flights, long-distance buses and hiring a driver.
Read the guide
Destinations in São Tomé & Príncipe
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°Hot, showersJanuaryRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 247 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, showers
- FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Short dry spellFebruaryRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 229 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°RainyMarchRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 286 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- AprilRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°WettestAprilRain
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 284 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- MayRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°RainyMayRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 252 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JuneRain13 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Dry seasonJuneRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 79 mm
- Rainy days
- 13
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry season
- JulyRain14 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, coolerJulyRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 59 mm
- Rainy days
- 14
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- AugustRain19 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Dry, coolerAugustRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 121 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, cooler
- SeptemberRain25 rainy daysHigh26°Low24°Dry, warmSeptemberRain
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 242 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, warm
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°Rains returnOctoberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 438 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains return
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low25°RainyNovemberRain
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 367 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low26°ShowersDecemberRain
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 26°
- Precipitation
- 297 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
Average daily high and low in São Tomé, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in São Tomé & Príncipe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 83%
- Wind
- 13 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 99%
São Tomé
08:38 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today29°25°99%Monday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Tue27°24°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed26°24°100%Wednesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Thu28°24°100%Thursday: Rain. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Fri27°25°96%Friday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat27°25°100%Saturday: Rain. High 27°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun28°24°100%Sunday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Updated 05:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 21.95 STN
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
São Tomé & Príncipe FAQ
Do I need a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe?
Not for stays up to 15 days on a UK passport. Other passports should check the rule with a São Tomé and Príncipe embassy before travel.
When is the best time to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?
June to September, the gravana dry season. Rain falls the rest of the year, heaviest in March to May and in the forested south.
How do I get to Príncipe?
By short domestic flight from São Tomé; boats are irregular. Flights are few, so book early and keep a spare day before flying home.
Can I use cards in São Tomé?
Rarely. Bring euros in cash; they are widely accepted and the dobra is pegged to the euro.
How many days do I need?
A week covers São Tomé's plantations, forest and beaches with a few nights on Príncipe. On a UK passport, stay within 15 days to remain visa-free.