Travel Costs in São Tomé and Príncipe

Overview

São Tomé and Príncipe is a surprisingly expensive destination for its region, largely due to its remote island location in the Gulf of Guinea which drives up import costs for food, goods, and accommodation. International flights are costly and limited, and most quality hotels and restaurants cater to eco-tourism and upscale visitors, pushing prices well above neighboring African mainland destinations. Budget travelers can manage on relatively modest daily spends by eating local market food and using shared transport, but true bargains are rare.

Notes

Eat at local mercados and family-run pensões rather than hotel restaurants to cut food costs significantly, and negotiate taxi fares before getting in as meters are rarely used. Visiting during the dry season shoulder months can also yield slightly better accommodation deals.

Related

• São Tomé and Príncipe country guide
• São Tomé and Príncipe currency & money