Guinea-Bissau travel guide

Wedged in between Senegal and Guinea, this former Portuguese colony is well off the tourist trail, but punches above its weight when it comes to cultural riches, biodiversity and wildlife. Few people could find Guinea-Bissau on the map, but those who do discover it experience a country that keeps ancient traditions alive, loves a carnival and can serve up pristine beaches where saltwater hippos wander. Find out more in our Guinea-Bissau travel guide.

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Guinea-Bissau travel guide

Tiny Guinea-Bissau, sandwiched between its beefier West African neighbours Senegal and Guinea, is overlooked, little known or at best, prone to mixed press. It’s true that political instability and violence have dogged the country on and off since it gained independence from Portugal in 1974, although currently it’s peaceful. Nevertheless, this tiny country is creeping onto travel itineraries and handsomely repays the intrepid visitor with vibrant traditions that rival any of its larger neighbours, interesting wildlife and a lively capital whose residents love to party.

The official language of Guinea-Bissau is Portuguese, just one of the ways this country is unique – a linguistic island within mostly French and English speaking West Africa.

The country’s gorgeous coast is the focus of most tours, and the jewel in Guinea-Bissau’s crown is the Bijagos Archipelago – 80 odd islands where sacred rites and saltwater hippos are among the unusual highlights. Find out more about Bijagos and the country’s other highlights in our Guinea-Bissau travel guide.

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Guinea-Bissau is…

An unsung hero of West Africa, with fascinating wildlife, natural beauty and many different ethnic groups and traditions.

Guinea-Bissau isn’t…

Guinea, a much larger country bordering Guinea-Bissau to the south, or Equatorial Guinea, which lies just above the equator.

Things to do in Guinea Bissau…

Catch the carnival. Held in the capital just before Lent, this annual event brings ethnic groups from distant villages to join in massive parades along the Main Avenue, followed by singing, dancing and drinking into the night. See people wearing traditional masks, warriors dressed in a crocodile skin and women wearing grass and glass bead skirts. Carnival is a mélange of the country’s many groups and belief systems with a strong Portuguese influence, too – think Rio de Janeiro in West Africa. Visit the Bijagos Archipelago. Comprising over 80 islands, only 20 of which are inhabited, these semi-tropical islands are home to two national parks, a UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve and the most important sea turtle nesting site in Africa. Its remote communities are governed by tribal chiefs and priestesses. Meet local people. The human life of Guinea-Bissau is fascinating, with many ethnic groups and unique cultural practices. The Manjaco people who live in scattered villages around the Senegal border worship their ancestors via wooden sculptures that represent their spirits, while in the Bijagos Archipelago, there’s a broadly matriarchal culture, with women managing the household, the economy and law.

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Things not to do in Guinea-Bissau…

Limit yourself to Guinea-Bissau. West Africa isn’t your run of the mill destination, so make the most of being here by taking in more than one country. On a two-week tour you can explore Guinea-Bissau’s northern neighbour Senegal, sometimes travelling through the Gambia, too. If you have three weeks, join an epic West Africa tour that starts in Guinea-Bissau and heads south through Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin. Alternatively, travel south from Morocco, through Mauritania and Senegal, finishing in Guinea-Bissau (you’ll need four weeks for this). Be tempted to travel independently. Despite its cultural and natural wealth, Guinea-Bissau is a very poor country and not developed for tourism, with little infrastructure and bad roads. Joining a small group tour, with local guides, accommodation and transport all included, is by far the easiest and most enlightening way to experience Guinea-Bissau and its people. Come without vaccinations or suitable insurance. Malaria is present in Guinea-Bissau, and a Yellow Fever certificate must be shown on entry. Visit your GP six weeks or so before travelling and make sure you take out insurance that covers emergency treatment and repatriation, too.

Guinea-Bissau travel guide