Sao Tome and Principe is an island nation off the western coast of Africa. it is the smallest Portuguese speaking country. The country is made of two islands, Sao Tome and Principe. São Tomé is the larger southern island and lies slightly north of the equator. An extinct volcanic mountain range is part of both islands.

Traveling info

All visitors traveling to Sao Tome and Principe are required to have a valid passport. Entry requirements vary depending on visitors nationality. Citizens of most developed countries enjoy the luxury of visa-free travel whilst all others must obtain a visa. Nationality also varies in the approval and handing out of visa. Some may obtain a visa upon arrival whilst others must apply for a visa online or in an embassy or a consulate. Visitors who wish to drive in STaP may do so using their national driving permit. An international driving permit is recommended however it is not required. IDP holders must beware that it cannot be used alone and must always be complemented by the original driving document.

Traveling hazards

Streets in the city of São Tomé are paved, but large potholes are common. Major roads outside of town are also paved. Pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, and animals on the roads can be a major hazard. Outside of the city of São Tomé, there are no sidewalks or shoulders along the sides of roads. In rural areas outside of the capital city, drivers are expected to honk the car’s horn periodically as a warning signal of their approach. There is no street lighting outside of the capital. Some roads may be impassable without a four-wheel drive vehicle. Only a few miles of improved roads exist on the island of Príncipe, the conditions are similar to those found on São Tomé. Although taking taxis is fairly safe, it is advisable to rent a car instead. If you must take a taxi, make sure that the taxi has seat belts and negotiate the rate before entering the taxi.

Environmental hazards

Despite being an African nation, Sao Tome and Principe are safe from the large animals of the continent. The only venomous snake on the islands is the Forest Cobra “Cobra preta”, of São Tomé, fairly common in most inland habitats. There are no records of any shark attacks on the islands however such incidents may have gone unreported. There are however reports of attacks in the surrounding countries which means such incidents cannot be ruled out.
Although there are numerous natural hazards occurring in STaP, earthquakes, and floods cause the most damage and carry the biggest death toll. These natural hazards also occur the most. Other natural hazards are droughts and storms.

Health hazards

The government of São Tomé and Príncipe requires proof of yellow fever vaccination upon arrival if you are traveling from a country with risk of yellow fever.
Apart from the yellow fever vaccine, there are several vaccinations which are recommended. These are the routine vaccines aka MMR vaccine, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and rabies vaccines. There is a risk of contracting Malaria in STaP and unfortunately, there is no approved vaccine against it. There are however alternative ways to protect against contracting malaria. There is medicine on prescription which should be available to anyone after consulting their local general practitioner. Visitors may also use mosquito repellents and install mosquito nets in the windows of their accommodation if not already done so. The healthcare system in STaP consists of both public and private healthcare sectors. Free healthcare is available to all citizens of the country. The infrastructure of the healthcare system in the country is poor. There is a shortage of medicine and medical supplies. There is routinely a lack of medical personnel, and medical professionals normally have limited training and sometimes they are unable to deliver basic healthcare services. Private healthcare is also available in STaP, however, the costs are quite expensive. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for any healthcare treatments or services rendered. In general, medical facilities in STaP are limited, and the level of care offered is relatively low. There are two hospitals in the country, one on each Island, and other medical facilities include health centers and health posts, which are geographically accessible to the general population. However, in the case of serious illnesses, emergencies and for many medical conditions, patients are required to travel to nearby countries like Gabon, Portugal or South Africa for treatments.
In case of an emergency dial 112.

Crime

Violent crime directed toward expatriates or foreign tourists is infrequent. The most common crime reported by expatriates is theft of unaccompanied items. Crime may increase around the winter holidays. Pickpocketing and petty theft are more common in markets, on the streets, and near hotels. Caution should be taken when visiting popular Sao Tome night spots, due to the potential for crime. Most hotels in Sao Tome city and resorts on the outlying islands have 24-hour guards, locking doors, and safes in each room that match security standards found in Western countries. There are some local gangs that are involved in robberies, hold-ups, and thefts but no organized crime. Violent crime is rare, though there have been isolated incidents of violence in the commission of robberies. There is no risk of terrorism in STaP. Narcotics are illegal and mere possession is a criminal offense.

Summary

Although STaP is not a very popular destination, it is considerably safer than a lot of mainland African countries. Those tourists that visit the islands can experience incredible water attractions for visitors as well as stay in great quality resorts. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
http://evisa.st/visa-policy.html
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/sao-tome-and-principe