São Tomé and Príncipe Tour: 8 Days
8-day small-group tour of São Tomé and Príncipe with flights from Lisbon, half board, the crossing to Rolas Islet and lunch by chef João Carlos Silva.
The trip
Once you have booked, these guides help you prepare: complete guide to São Tomé and Príncipe, best time to visit, visa and documents, flights from Lisbon.
Before you book this Sao Tome and Principe tour
First-time travellers usually want to know which vaccinations are required, how much money to bring and where to stay in Sao Tome and Principe. If you would rather see Príncipe island too, there is a 9-day island-to-island circuit. For the full picture of the archipelago, start with the Sao Tome and Principe destination guide.
Itinerary
Day by day
Day 1
Arrival in São Tomé | Tour Begins
Check-in at Lisbon Airport for the scheduled flight to the archipelago. On arrival, you are met by our resident guide and transferred straight to the hotel. On this first day we go with you to change money (Euros into Dobras) and stay on hand throughout the tour. Accommodation: Roça Santa Luzia. Meals: dinner included.
Day 2
Coffee Route | Into the Heart of the Island
Wake up at Roça Santa Luzia, surrounded by gardens and rainforest. We set off at 10:00 for the centre of the island — São Tomé's breadbasket — climbing to 800 metres, where the farms that feed the whole country are found. We stop in the town of Trindade to see the local market, the church and the town hall, pass through Roça Monte Café (with the option of visiting its museum) and have lunch at the Almada Negreiros Museum, set in the former Roça Saudade. On the way back, a visit to the striking Cascata Milagrosa waterfall. Accommodation: Roça Santa Luzia. Meals: breakfast, lunch and dinner included.
Day 3
Tropical Route and the Paradise Beaches of the South
South along the Coconut Route. Our first stop is the mouth of the Abade river, the largest open-air laundry in the world. We continue to the historic Roça Água Izé to understand the legacy of cocoa growing, then pause at the Boca do Inferno blowhole for a fresh coconut water. The route runs on through volcanic landscapes to the viewpoints over Pico Cão Grande and the Malanza river. We arrive at an eco-resort in the south, set into the forest a few metres from beaches where the sea sits between 27°C and 29°C. Accommodation: Ecolodge Inhame (bungalows). Meals: breakfast and dinner included (lunch at leisure).
Day 4
Rolas Islet | The Equator Monument in Gago Coutinho's Footsteps
After breakfast, a boat crossing over the warm waters of the Gulf of Guinea to Rolas Islet. The day is given to exploring the islet, crossing the Equator line and standing in both hemispheres of the planet at once, at the monument built at the request of Admiral Gago Coutinho. There is the chance to have grilled fish or octopus for lunch at a local restaurant on the islet (booked in advance with your guide). Return by boat at the end of the day. Accommodation: Ecolodge Inhame. Meals: breakfast and dinner included.
Day 5
Free Day on the Paradise Coast of the South
A day entirely free, at the islands' own leve-leve pace. From the lodge you can walk to idyllic beaches nearby, such as the well-known Praia Piscina, or simply enjoy the sea and the forest around the eco-resort. Accommodation: Ecolodge Inhame. Meals: breakfast and dinner included.
Day 6
Food Route | From Pico Cão Grande to Chef João Carlos Silva
We begin the journey back to the capital, stopping at the Cauê river viewpoint and at a hidden beach looking out at the towering Pico Cão Grande. The road passes palm plantations and the Ribeira Peixe waterfall beside a fishing beach. At São João dos Angolares we stop at the roça for a gourmet tasting lunch prepared by chef João Carlos Silva, known across Portugal for the television series Na Roça com os Tachos. We then continue to the capital. Accommodation: Hotel Omali. Meals: breakfast and gourmet lunch included.
Day 7
Cocoa Route, Baobabs and the Story Behind the Novel "Equador"
Exploring the north of the island. We visit a cocoa cooperative in the district of Lembá to follow the whole artisanal process — fermenting, drying and sorting bean by bean, done by the women of the community (local fee of €4 per person). The route carries on along the Baobab Route — São Tomé's micondós — towards the iconic Lagoa Azul for a swim, and on to Praia dos Tamarindos. Lunch at a local restaurant and a visit to the village of Morro Peixe, ending at the historic Roça Agostinho Neto, immortalised in Miguel Sousa Tavares's novel Equador. Accommodation: Hotel Omali. Meals: breakfast and lunch included (dinner at leisure in town).
Day 8
Cultural Tour of São Tomé City | Return Flight
A final day given to the capital. A guided visit to the São Sebastião Fort Museum and a panoramic tour of the main avenues, Independence Square, the Cathedral, the Presidential Palace and the local markets for handicrafts. At a time to be agreed, transfer to São Tomé Airport for the flight to Lisbon. Meals: breakfast included.
Day 9
Arrival in Portugal
Arrival at Lisbon Airport early in the morning (around 05:30), where our services on this São Tomé and Príncipe tour come to an end.
What's included
- Flights
- 7 nights' accommodation
- Half board + special lunches
- Chef's lunch at the Almada Negreiros Museum
- Gourmet tasting lunch at Roça São João dos Angolares with chef João Carlos Silva
- All touring and transfers in a 4x4 with a specialist driver-guide
- Boat crossing to Rolas Islet
- Visit to the São Sebastião Fort Museum
- Cultural tour of São Tomé city with chocolate tasting
What's not included
- Entrance fee at the cocoa cooperative on Day 7 (approx. €4 per person)
- Lunches on Days 3, 4, 5 and 8
- Dinner at leisure in town on Day 7
- Entry to the Monte Café Roça Museum, €3 per person
- Tips, personal expenses and drinks outside the included meals
- Tourist tax, paid at the airport on arrival, €2.10 per person per night
Frequently asked questions
All your questions answered
No visa is required for Portuguese and European Union citizens on tourist trips of up to 15 days. You only need a passport valid for at least 6 months from your return date. Tip: if you plan to add the extension to Príncipe Island and go beyond 15 days in total, our team handles the extension process on the islands.
There are no compulsory vaccinations for travellers coming directly from Portugal or Europe. Yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are arriving from a country where the disease is endemic. Travel clinic: a pre-travel appointment is advisable, to review malaria prophylaxis and routine vaccination boosters. On the islands: drink bottled water only and use insect repellent, especially at the end of the day.
The Euro (€) is accepted almost everywhere, but local ATMs do not take foreign cards. It is essential to bring cash in Euros for all personal spending. Local currency: the official currency is the Dobra (STN). On the first day of the tour, your private guide goes with you to change money in safe places. Credit cards: accepted only at the larger hotels, with additional fees. How much cash should I bring for personal spending? We suggest a minimum of around €200 per person per day to cover lunches at leisure and drinks outside the included meals on this tour. There are always small pieces of local craftwork worth buying.
Wi-Fi in the hotels is free but can be unreliable. The most effective way to have data on your phone throughout the tour is a local SIM card. Our guide helps you buy and set one up on the first day.
São Tomé and Príncipe has a pleasant tropical climate all year round, with sea temperatures between 27°C and 29°C. Dry season (gravana): June to September — the best window for walking, forest hikes and exploring the roças. Gravanita: December to February — sunny days with little rain. Wildlife: turtles nest between November and March; whales are seen between July and October.
The trick is to travel light and practical. Pack: Cool cotton or linen clothes and a swimsuit. Comfortable walking shoes and beach sandals. Strong insect repellent and biodegradable sunscreen. A small daypack for excursions and boat trips.
Notes
A reserva confirma-se com o pagamento do sinal indicado nesta página, por pessoa. A viagem confirma-se com um mínimo de 2 participantes. Cancelamentos até 60 dias antes da partida sem custos; entre 60 e 30 dias, 30% do valor; menos de 30 dias, 60% do valor. Preços por pessoa em quarto duplo.