So much to discover!
Sao Tome and Principeit is the ideal tourist destination for those who love nature. Imagine yourself in the middle of hidden valleys, in a tropical forest full of birds’ voices or climbing old volcano craters. Observe dozens of endemic birds such as the Parrot of Príncipe, Tomé Gágá, Truqui, Merlo or Tchin-Tchin-Xolo. Swim with Dolphins, watch whales and then rest on truly wild beaches. See the turtles and dive into the underwater landscapes. Discover the ruins of dependencies of extinct agricultural companies, find hidden villages or lines of iron swallowed by the tropical green. Look for waterfalls and mystical ponds, learn about the “° Obo” spices and breathe the fresh air of the ocean and dense vegetation. And although our nature is wild, our country is safe.So São Tomé and Príncipe is the perfect country for those who want to know Africa – pure, simple but calm.Enjoy your vacation in an environment of true tranquility.

Protected forest
About a third of São Tomé and Príncipe is a protected nature reserve – the “Ôbo” (indicated on the map). This natural park was implemented with the help of the European Union and is part of a broader set of environmental protection across Central Africa, including the protection of forests, flora, fauna and the aquatic environment . Beginning of our “Ôbo” park is a botanical garden, which is distant from the city in the cloudy mountains. Here you can find endemic and medicinal plants, as well as trees, orchids, flowers and ornamental plants from both islands. The botanical garden is also the beginning for mountaineering trails or bicycle hikes. Local guides assist in these hikes.

The natural park contains primary forest , the highest peaks in the country, a diverse virgin nature and incredible views. Colorful birds, lizards and elusive monkeys are the main animals of São Tomé and Príncipe. Coffee, cacao and sugar cane plantations cover large parts of unprotected areas. The northern areas of both islands are generally very dry with Baobab trees , cactus and steppe grass, while the southern areas have a humid tropical climate . In the high mountains you can feel a cool climate. These diverse options in distances of a few minutes make São Tomé and Príncipe a truly healthy destination.

A mixture of continents
São Tomé e Príncipe was born from a colonial heritage, in which agricultural gardens and the slave trade dominated economic life for centuries, since the first discovery in the 15th century. Agricultural companies were scattered in all areas of the islands, with their own infrastructure from ports to employees’ houses, from railway lines to hospitals. In the plantations around these fields, sugar cane, coffee and cacao were grown. With the exception of 2 years of occupation by the Netherlands, São Tomé and Príncipe was a colony of Portugal, until 1975, when it gained independence in a peaceful manner. Our tradition and culture is based on a mixture of commerce, agriculture, slavery, fishing and maritime navigation, with strong influences from Portugal, Africa, Brazil and Europe.

Natural richness
The places where you can feel the whole culture of São Tomé and Príncipe are the Roças . Dozens of these agricultural companies are distributed throughout the country. Some of these Roças are small country houses, others resemble hidden cities with a center of castles in the middle of the rainforest . The largest Roças usually had their own port and a small rail network. Names like Monte Café or Rio d’Ouro (today Roça Agostinho Neto) give an idea of ​​the profits that were made here.

Roça Monte Café: In the central high mountains of São Tomé. With coffee and cocoa plantations nearby. Roça Água Izé: Still producing and exporting large numbers of tons of cocoa, exported to all of Europe. Roça Agostinho Neto: Famous for the gigantic hospital in the shape of a castle. Connected with an old railway line to the port of Fernão Dias, place of celebrations of struggle for Independence. Roça Sundy: The place where Einstein’s Theory of Relativity was proven during a solar eclipse.

Festivals and dances of São Tomé and Príncipe
In São Tomé and Príncipe unique events, songs and dances were born from our mixed traditions. Auto de Floripes and a street theater, at the same time carnival and dance: The story has its origins in Europe in medieval times and follows influences from Portugal and Charlemagne. Tchiloli is a theatrical performance, mixing African cultures with colonial influences, including stories of love, betrayal and tragedy. Dance of the Congo is another unique event, for example visible at the party in the City of Neves, with actors and dancers on the streets, some of them on stunning stilts . Musicians and dancers from Bulaué and Cape Verde music, for example, in the fields, de further increase Santomean cultural diversity.

São Tomé City (São Tomé City): Our capital city. It starts directly next to the airport. And it starts well: With a long beach. Even more: avenues of palm trees, a colonial center, two municipal markets, the famous “Praça de Taxis”, cafés and pastries inspired by Portugal, the important Cathedral and a “light-light” lifestyle.

Santo António: Capital of the autonomous region of Príncipe, post office, regional government, the small port and views of the Atlantic.

Trindade: Center of the mountainous area of ​​the island of São Tomé and base point for the beginning of mountaineering walks.

Guadalupe: City in the always dry area of ​​São Tomé and crossing paths to several beaches in the north of the island.

São João dos Angolares: Mystically formed city, with stories from centuries originated from a shipwrecked slave ship. Land of our hero, King Amador.

Ribeira Afonso: Fishing village, site of the famous 3-day “Santo Izidro” party.

Água Izé : One of the largest Roças and agricultural companies of the time, comparable to Roça Monte Café and Roça Agostinho Neto.

Roça Sundy: This place has something unique in the world: Einstein’s theory of relativity was proved here for the first time.

Ribeira Peixe: Very small village, but also very beautiful, with a small turtle protection station.

Micolo: Fishing village next to a volcanic black sand beach and close to Fernão Dias:site of annual Independence parties and memories of the Batepá Massacre.

Neves: The most industrial city in the country, with its beer factory of German origin.

All things to do in Sao Tome and Principe

ECUADOR
Visit Ilhéu das Rolas, with a gigantic pool, luxury hotel and beautiful beaches – all directly in Ecuador. Yes, there is a monument to take pictures too.

COCOA AND CHOCOLATE
Stroll through forests of cocoa trees. Know the acidic taste of fresh fruits and the smell of dry cocoa. Then visit Claudio Corallo’s chocolate factory.

ALBERT EINSTEIN
Did you know? It is here, in São Tomé and Príncipe, that Albert Einstein’s theory of relativity was proven. And on your next vacation you can sleep, where his team slept.

WILD FOREST
About a third of the country is nature protected. You can walk through wild forests and foggy mountains, where small villages and fields are hidden.

COLONIAL HERITAGE
Stroll through the old center of the capital city, where you will find a mixture of colonial features, lively markets, restaurants and prestigious avenues.

ENDLESS BEACHES
It starts 500m from the airport: Praia Lagarto. And it continues throughout the country: Praia Piscina, Banana, Jalé, Café, etc. There is a different beach for each day of the trip.

DIVING (LITTLE)
Go to Lagoa Azul. Always in the morning the sun’s rays paint the water a turquoise color. Take your snorkel and enjoy the aquatic life in this calm natural bay.

DIVING (VERY)
We have several PADI certified diving centers. Dive into clear, warm waters, with several hotspots close to all the islands.

LEARN
In one of the most beautiful areas of the capital city, you can visit the National Museum. Inside an old fortress you will learn about slavery and the country.

FEEL
You can’t leave the country without feeling life in the markets and without having bought Jaca, Vanilla, Ôbo Pepper, Osami, Mosquito Leaves or Cinnamon.

AT THE SEA BY BOAT
You can surf or do sport fishing. Or canoeing in the mangroves. Or go around the islands discovering pristine beaches by boat.

GO TO THE LIMIT
There are easy hikes in our forests. But you can also try to know Pico de São Tomé. Two days of pure nature. But only with local guide.

Some of the dates and festivals in São Tomé and Príncipe: January: New Year’s bath on the beaches, King’s Day Amateur, Santo Izidoro in Ribeira Afonso, breadfruit, turtle spawning, short dry season Gravanita, whale watching. February: short dry season Gravanita, National Day of remembrance of the Batepá Massacre in Fernão Dias. March: Blooming orchids. April: Blooming orchids, breadfruit. June: Frutas Mangostane, World Music Day in the City of São Tomé. July: Frutas Mangostane, Independence Day, Nossa Senhora Perpetuá in the village of Conde, Santa Maria in Madalena.

August:Orchids flourish, Ototó Palma wine party, Floripes Dance Auto Dance and cultural events on the island of Príncipe. September: Blooming orchids, Nossa Senhora de Nazaré in Trindade. October: Season of fresh mangoes, Our Lady in Guadalupe. November: Fresh mangoes. December: Whale watching, Christmas, turtle spawning. All year: palm wine, cocoa (every 3 months), coconut.

São Tomé and Príncipe offers hotels, lodges and guest houses of all types, and all levels of comfort. The accommodations are on four islands: São Tomé Island, Ilho do Príncipe, Ilhéu Bom-Bom and Ilhéu das Rolas.

In the city ​​of São Tomé you can for example stay in a modern congress hotel, with a swimming pool, bars and club. Or stay in a luxury hotel , on the beach 2 or 3 minutes from the airport. Or rest in a small guest house directly opposite the President’s Palace.

Outside the city, it has hotels directly beside the sea, with private beaches and private parks. We have unique eco-lodges with privacy of only 5 or 10 rooms. Or rest in one of several restored mansionsdas Roças and feel the history at a sailing dinner.

On Príncipe Island there are tent lodges, colonial-style mansions or a hotel in the place where Albert Einstein’s team once hosted , while proving the Theory of Relativity. Holidays in São Tomé and Príncipe are unique experiences.