Príncipe is a small island in the Gulf of Guinea, part of the republic of São Tomé and Príncipe. At roughly 136 square kilometers, it is the smaller of the country's two main islands, and most of it is tropical rainforest rising to Pico do Príncipe. UNESCO has designated the island a Biosphere Reserve since 2012. Cocoa shaped its history: colonial plantations, called roças, still sit in the valleys, and some have become guesthouses.
Most people come for the forest walks, the coast and its swimming spots, and the quiet. Getting there usually means a short domestic flight or a boat from São Tomé island, so many travelers add it to a stay on the main island. The drier months, roughly June to September, suit hiking best. Plan at least three or four nights, or a week to walk the interior and visit the estates at a slow pace.
Príncipe in five
- Book the flight or boat to PríncipeFlights and boats link Príncipe with São Tomé island, and schedules are limited and can change. Check the current timetable with the operator before you fix any dates.Getting around
- Carry dobras for the whole stayCard payment may not work outside Santo António, the main town. Bring enough cash in dobras (STN) for guesthouses, meals and local guides.Money and costs
- Check the visa before you flyMost visitors need a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe, and the rules depend on your passport. Confirm the process on the official government site before you buy a ticket.Visas and entry
- Set up a phone plan and offline mapsMobile signal is patchy away from the main town. Download offline maps and save your lodging and guide numbers before you leave Santo António.Phones and eSIM
- Book a roça or guesthouse before arrivalRoças are former cocoa estates, and the island has a limited number of places to stay. Confirm the transfer from Santo António with your host, since roças are outside town.Where to stay
Things to do in Príncipe
See all attractions in Príncipe
Need to know
- Currency
- Dobra (STN)
- Entry
- Visa needed by most visitors; check the official rules before you book
- Emergency
- Ask your lodging for local emergency numbers
- Tipping
- Ask your host before you tip
- Time
- UTC+0, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryRainy season
- FebruaryRainy season
- MarchRainy, humid
- AprilRainy, humid
- MayRains easing
- JuneDrier season
- JulyDrier, cooler
- AugustDrier, cooler
- SeptemberDrier, cooler
- OctoberRains return
- NovemberRainy season
- DecemberRainy season
Right now in Príncipe
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 26°
- Humidity
- 85%
- Wind
- 15 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 65%
Príncipe
10:56 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today26°23°65%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 65%.
- Wed26°24°77%Wednesday: Rain. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 77%.
- Thu25°23°88%Thursday: Rain. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Fri26°24°50%Friday: Rain. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 50%.
- Sat26°24°38%Saturday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sun26°25°60%Sunday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Mon26°24°49%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 49%.
Updated 06:47 AM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 21.89 STN
Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Ilhéu das Rolasby boat, times to confirm locallyA small island on the equator, reached by boat from São Tomé island for a day on the beach.
- Roça estatesby car, ask your hostOld cocoa estates across the island, best seen with a driver or guide.
- Santo António townon footWalk the port, the shops and the town centre, an easy first day on the island.
Before you go to Príncipe
Rules for Príncipe, checked
- Entry rules differ by nationality, so check the official government site before you book.
- Bring enough cash in dobras for the whole stay, since card payment may not work outside Santo António.
- Ask before photographing people, and before entering roça buildings or private land.
- Check the current customs rules on declaring cash before you carry a large sum into or out of the country.
Plan around Príncipe
The country overview, with the island pair and how they connect
Read the guideGetting around the islandsFlights, boats and road transport between Príncipe and São Tomé
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and typical prices for a trip on the islands
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules and the visa process before you travel
Read the guideWhere to stayRoças, guesthouses and lodging in and around Santo António
Read the guidePhones and eSIMSignal, data and offline maps for the island
Read the guidePríncipe FAQ
Is Príncipe worth visiting?
Yes if you want forest, quiet beaches and the old plantation estates. It has far fewer services than São Tomé island, so it suits a slow trip.
How do you get to Príncipe?
By air or boat from São Tomé island, with limited schedules. Check the current timetable before you book, since services change.
How many days do you need on Príncipe?
Three to four days cover Santo António, a roça and one forest walk. A week lets you move slowly between the estates and the coast.
Do I need a guide for the forest walks?
Ask your lodging whether a local guide is needed for the forest paths. They can also tell you which routes are open.
When is the best time to visit Príncipe?
June to September, the drier season. The rest of the year is wetter, with more rain on the trails.
Can I pay by card on Príncipe?
Carry cash in dobras. Card payment may not work outside Santo António, so confirm before you order or book.