Every year in November, after the rains, Bissau is struck by a swarm of flying crickets. They bash into walls and lights, while locals try to clear them away with hoses and brooms
Taken from The Traveller's Handbook.
Guinea-Bissau holiday experts at WEXAS will tailor-make all aspects of your itinerary to create a Guinea-Bissau holiday, personal to you.
Guinea-Bissau tailor-made holiday highlights
BissauRelaxed and pleasant capital. Although not abundant with sightseeing opportunities, it has some interesting architecture and a good museum, the Museum of African Artefacts. This houses some interesting exhibits of traditional sculpture, pottery, weaving and basketware. Close by, the colourful central market has a lively ambience.
Bijagos ArchipelagoGroup of islands infrequently visited by foreigners, some uninhabited. Of these, the island of Bolama - once the country's capital - has some fine beaches. The fiercely independent Bijagos people still retain a degree of autonomy from the federal government. Bubaque, a former Portuguese favourite accessible by motorised pirogue, is another option. Elsewhere, sport fishing and wildlife are the major draws, with the the southern Orango group being home to saltwater hippos, and the eastern Joao Vieira group a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles.
JemberemWildlife spotting in an area of unspoilt tropical rainforest. It's central to a community-based conservation project, the Cantanhez Natural Park, set up to protect birds, monkeys and chimpanzees. This lush and sacred forest is best navigated with a guide. You can arrange such a tour through the local chief.
GabúGuinea-Bissau's eastern capital is also the Fula and Muslim capital. It has an animated commercial centre thanks largely to its trade with nearby Guinea and Senegal.
BubaTransport hub of the south, with some pleasant swimming beaches and waterfalls nearby. The Falls, on the Rio Cirubal, turn to mere rapids in the dry season, but at other times are extremely popular during weekends and school holidays.
People & place
Guinea-bissau facts
Capital: Bissau
Language: Portuguese.
People: Balante, Fulani, Malinke.
Religion: Indigenous beliefs, Islam and a minority of Christians
Size (sq km): 36,125.
Population: 1,472,780.
Population density/sq km: 40.7.
Etiquette
Casual wear is widely accepted. Social customs should be respected, especially in Muslim areas. If photographing military or police installations, request permission first.
Shopping
Locally made artefacts and carvings.
Food & drink
Spicy chicken and fish dishes, jollof rice (rice with tomato puree, spiced meat and vegetables), cassava, yams and maize. Cashew nut rum.
International Airports
Bissau - Osvaldo Vieira (OXB) 11 km from the city.
Internal travel
A few internal flights, some serving the outlying islands. Minibuses and bush taxis are used for main routes and trucks (kandongas) for more off-track driving. Most towns are accessible by ship, riverboats or ferry. A small proportion of the roads are all-weather.
Red tape
Visas
Required.
Vaccinations
BCG, Cholera, Diphtheria, Hep. A, Malaria, Meningitis ACWY Rabies, Typhoid, Y. Fever3.
Driving requirements
International Driving Permit recommended. A temporary licence is available on presentation of a valid UK licence.
Reps in UK/US
UK/US reps in Guinea-bissau
UK: Mavegro Int. CP 100, Bissau, tel 201 224, fax 201 265, email mavegro@gtelecom.com (the British Consulate, which can only provide limited assistance). The British Embassy in Dakar (see Senegal) usually deals with enquiries relating to Guinea-Bissau. US: The US Embassy in Dakar (see Senegal) deals with enquiries relating to Guinea-Bissau.
Currency
Communauté Financiare Africaine franc (CFA) = 100 centimes.
Finance
Very limited use of credit cards, traveller's cheques rarely accepted.
Business hours
0730-1230, 1430-1830 Monday-Friday.
Safety & life expectancy
Safety information
History of political instability. Landmines present in some areas. Fighting between troops from Guinea-Bissau and Senegalese separatist rebels along the northern border has made this area unsafe. Seek advice before travel.
Life expectancy
Life expectancy: M 45.37, F 49.04.
Useful websites for travel
www.guineabissau.com, www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/guinea-bissau/.
Local media
No English-language newspapers. One, state-owned TV channel. And one Portugese owned one.
Tourist boards
n/a.
Guinea-Bissau tailor-made holiday ideas
Bissau
Relaxed and pleasant capital. Although not abundant with sightseeing opportunities, it has some interesting architecture and a good museum, the Museum of African Artefacts. This houses some interesting exhibits of traditional sculpture, pottery, weaving and basketware. Close by, the colourful central market has a lively ambience.
Bijagos Archipelago
Group of islands infrequently visited by foreigners, some uninhabited. Of these, the island of Bolama - once the country's capital - has some fine beaches. The fiercely independent Bijagos people still retain a degree of autonomy from the federal government. Bubaque, a former Portuguese favourite accessible by motorised pirogue, is another option. Elsewhere, sport fishing and wildlife are the major draws, with the the southern Orango group being home to saltwater hippos, and the eastern Joao Vieira group a breeding ground for endangered sea turtles.
Jemberem
Wildlife spotting in an area of unspoilt tropical rainforest. It's central to a community-based conservation project, the Cantanhez Natural Park, set up to protect birds, monkeys and chimpanzees. This lush and sacred forest is best navigated with a guide. You can arrange such a tour through the local chief.
Gabú
Guinea-Bissau's eastern capital is also the Fula and Muslim capital. It has an animated commercial centre thanks largely to its trade with nearby Guinea and Senegal.
Buba
Transport hub of the south, with some pleasant swimming beaches and waterfalls nearby. The Falls, on the Rio Cirubal, turn to mere rapids in the dry season, but at other times are extremely popular during weekends and school holidays.
