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Visa-freePristine natureDeserted beachesCocoa & chocolateOff the beaten path

São Tomé & Príncipe

The forgotten chocolate islands of the Gulf of Guinea

Capital
São Tomé
Currency
São Tomé dobra (STN) — bring cash; euro and US dollar accepted in hotels
Flight from Lomé
From Lomé (varies)
Time difference
GMT (UTC+0) — 1 hour behind Cameroon

São Tomé & Príncipe is among the destinations a Togolese passport reaches without a visa. The forgotten chocolate islands of the Gulf of Guinea Here: visa, real budget, best seasons and what to do — departing from Togo.

Formalities

The visa, step by step

Visa-free
Allowed stay
up to 90 days
Cost
Free
Processing
Immediate on arrival

How to apply

No visa for a short tourist stay: show a valid passport and a return ticket on arrival.

Required documents

  • Passport valid 6 months
  • Return ticket
  • Yellow fever certificate

Good to know

  • •Visa-free tourist stay; confirm the exact allowed duration before departure.
How much it costs

A one-week budget

Backpacker
390 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight
Comfort
1 110 000 FCFA
/ week, excl. flight

Round-trip flight from Douala / Yaoundé

480 000 FCFA–840 000 FCFA

Flights from Lomé (ASKY, Ethiopian, Air Côte d'Ivoire…), depending on the destination.

Indicative round-trip price: it varies widely by season, layover and how early you book.

Where the money goes (backpacker estimate)

🏨150 000 FCFA
🍽️90 000 FCFA
🚕72 000 FCFA
🎟️108 000 FCFA
Hostel
15 000 FCFA–30 000 FCFA
Mid-range
39 000 FCFA–78 000 FCFA
Nice hotel
108 000 FCFA–210 000 FCFA
Tailored

Budget simulator

Comfort level
Estimated total budget
870 000 FCFA
Must-sees

What to do there

1

The paradise deserted beaches

White-sand Praia Banana, Praia Jalé (a major turtle-nesting site) or Praia Grande: palm-fringed beaches with turquoise waters, among Africa's best-kept secrets.

2

Pico Cão Grande

A 663 m volcanic spire bursting out of the primary rainforest in the south of the island, one of the world's most spectacular volcanic necks. Best viewed from the lookout near Praia Grande.

3

The roças (cocoa plantations)

Former colonial estates, half-majestic and half-swallowed by jungle, with manor houses and period machinery. Guided visit to Roça Agostinho Neto and single-origin chocolate tasting at the source.

4

Príncipe Island

The smaller island, 60% of which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve: hidden beaches, waterfalls, forests and marine life in completely untouched nature.

5

Obô National Park

The dense rainforest of the central highlands, its hiking trails and endemic birds, with the option to climb Pico de São Tomé (2,024 m).

6

São Tomé city and Ana Chaves Bay

Portuguese colonial architecture, Fort São Sebastião (national museum), the municipal market and the seafront promenade.

Itinerary

One week, day by day

  1. D1

    Arrival in São Tomé, settle in and explore the capital's first streets

  2. D2

    Colonial capital: Fort São Sebastião, municipal market and Ana Chaves Bay

  3. D3

    Highlands: Bom Sucesso garden and Obô National Park

  4. D4

    Southern coast: Pico Cão Grande lookout and Jalé turtle beach

  5. D5

    Day trip to Príncipe Island: Praia Banana and snorkeling

  6. D6

    Northern roças: Roça Agostinho Neto, chocolate tasting and west coast

  7. D7

    Free morning in São Tomé, last shopping and airport transfer

✓

Travel checklist

A printable list (or save as PDF) so you forget nothing.

Travel checklist — São Tomé-et-Principe

Before you leave

What to pack

Visa sources: en.wikipedia.org

Indicative data (June 2026), reliability moyenne. Visa rules, prices and timelines change: always confirm with official sources before booking.

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