Príncipe

Ideal stay

A week

The vibe

Green, volcanic, almost untouched

From our guides

1. 01

   Praia Banana

   A short palm-backed crescent on the east coast, reached down a forest track from the plantation above. Small, sheltered and usually deserted.

2. 02

   Pico Papagaio

   A forested volcanic peak rising behind Santo António, climbed as a demanding half-day walk with a guide through dense, wet forest.

3. 03

   Roça Sundy and the plantations

   Colonial-era cocoa estates, some restored and some ruined, where the hospital, chapel and workers' quarters still stand around a central yard.

4. 04

   The northern bays

   Sheltered coves and a small islet at the island's northern tip, where the water is calmest for swimming and snorkelling.

5. 05

   Endemic birdlife

   The island holds species found nowhere else, including its own kingfisher, golden weaver and drongo, all seen easily along forest tracks.

6. 06

   Turtle nesting

   Green and hawksbill turtles nest on the southern beaches between about November and February, with monitored night visits available under guide supervision during the season.

1. Fly to

   São Tomé (TMS)

   Nearest airport to Príncipe, about 157km away as the crow flies.

2. Then

   To Santo António

   Reach São Tomé (TMS) by air from Lisbon or Libreville, then take the thirty-five-minute domestic flight to Príncipe (PCP); the airstrip is a few minutes from Santo António.

3. On the ground

   Getting around

   One rough road runs south past the plantations to the beaches, and lodges provide 4x4 transfers or boats; Banana Beach is reached through the Bom Bom resort.

Public transport: Effectively none. Shared taxis serve the main road occasionally, and everything else is arranged through your lodge.

A small number of eco-lodges and restored plantation houses, plus simple guesthouses in town. No chains, no resorts, and most lodges include meals and transfers by necessity.

• Best base overall

  Santo António

  The island's tiny capital, with guesthouses, the market and access to the rest of Príncipe by road. It is very small and simple, and nothing about it is polished.

  Find stays in Santo António →
• Best for couples

  Praia Banana and Belo Monte

  The north-east, where a restored plantation house sits above the famous beach. Beautiful, isolated and expensive, with full board because there is nowhere else to eat.

  Find stays in Praia Banana and Belo Monte →
• Quietest

  Praia Abade and Sundy

  Northern beaches and plantation estates with a handful of rooms and forest on every side. You will need a driver, and the road turns to mud in the rains.

  Find stays in Praia Abade and Sundy →
• Best value

  São Tomé city

  The main island's capital, far cheaper and with more choice, connected by a thirty-five minute flight. Sensible for the start and end of the trip, given how few Príncipe beds exist.

  Find stays in São Tomé city →

Worth knowing before you book: The internal flights are small and sell out, so book them before your international ticket. June to September is the dry gravana season, and lodge capacity across the island is tiny.

Getting there

Flights reach São Tomé from Lisbon and a few African hubs. The connection to Príncipe is a short flight on a small aircraft and should be booked first.

Cash or card

The dobra is the currency and cards are barely accepted outside the main hotels. Bring euros to change and enough cash for the week.

Health

Malaria prophylaxis is advised, yellow fever vaccination may be required, and medical facilities on the island are basic.

Pack this

Insect repellent, walking shoes that cope with mud, a dry bag and any medicines you might need. Shops carry very little.

Timing

June to September is the drier gravana. The wetter months bring greener forest, fewer visitors and rougher tracks.