Travel Tips

Guinea-Bissau is a country located on the west coast of Africa, colonized by the Portuguese in the mid-15th century, was the first Portuguese colony in Africa to gain its independence in 1974. Because of its colonization history, the country’s official language is Portuguese, but less than 15% of the population speak the language.

In everyday life, Guineans speak about 20 languages, including: fula, balanta, manjaco, mandinga, felupe, paper, bijagó, mancanha or nalu. However, the most used dialect in the country is Creole, spoken around 60% of the population.

What is the best time of year to visit Guinea-Bissau?

The months of December and January, which are part of the Guinean winter, are the least warm among those in which it does not rain. For those who want to spend holidays on the beaches, the most indicated months are those of the dry season, between the months of November and May.

The great advantage of visiting Guinea-Bissau during the dry season is that circulation throughout the country is facilitated. The coldest months of the dry season are December and January, while March, April and May are the hottest and wettest months.

If the desired destination is the Bijagós archipelago, it is worth emphasizing that between the months of May and October, during the rainy season, some tourist places in this region are closed. This is because storms that happen in the rainy season make sea crossings riskier.

And it is not only shipping that suffers from the rainy season in the country, many roads on the continent become impassable due to heavy rains. Take this into consideration before planning your trip to the country.

What types of clothes do you take for a trip to Guinea-Bissau?

If you are travelling during winter (dry season), it is recommended to bring light clothes to spend the day, sweatshirts or light jackets for the night and a scarf to protect yourself from the sand and dust of the wind. For those traveling during the summer (rainy season), it is important to bring light clothing of natural fibers, lighter sweatshirts, as well as a light raincoat to protect yourself from the rains.

How do energy and telecommunications work in Guinea-Bissau?

The electric current in Guinea-Bissau is 220 volts. With the exception of Bissau, the capital of the country, there is no public electricity, and the use of generators is quite common. There are solar power systems, but their use is very limited.

Currently, Guinea-Bissau has no fixed telephone network, only mobile networks. In the country, mobile operators Orange and MTN cover most of the national territory, in addition to providing internet services.

In the urban centers of the country, several internet cafes can be found. In the capital, free Wi-Fi networks can be accessed in the Titina Silá Garden and National Heroes Square.