What is the capital of Guinea-Bissau?
The capital of Guinea-Bissau is Bissau.
Why visit Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau is in Western Africa, Africa, with Bissau as its capital. Use this guide for trip planning — best time, budget ranges, cities and practical tips.
This Guinea-Bissau travel guide covers the best time to visit, top cities, sample routes, budget ranges and how to travel to Guinea-Bissau — including visa requirements.
Most first-time trips to Guinea-Bissau work in 7–10 days: fly into Bissau, then move only as far as your energy allows. A practical first loop is Bissau → Missira → Reino de Bandim → Contumo → Bairro Militar → Gabú. Mid-range travellers typically budget $35–95 per person per day on the ground (flights extra). Best time: The dry season offers the best wildlife viewing and travel comfort. This route, cost band and city shortlist are Global Itinerary’s own planning layer — not a copy of another guidebook.
Capital
Bissau
Population
1.9M
Currency
F CFA · West African CFA franc (XOF)
Languages
Portuguese, Upper Guinea Creole
Timezone
Africa/Bissau · UTC+00:00
Calling code
+245
History
Guinea-Bissau has a rich history shaped by its position in Africa and the cultures of Western Africa, leaving a legacy visible in its landmarks, cities and traditions today.
Culture
Culture in Guinea-Bissau is expressed through its food, festivals, music and daily rhythms — a warm invitation to experience local life first-hand.
Plan with confidence
Know before you go
Getting in & visas
Visa
No Guinea-Bissau embassies have websites to obtain entry info. To complicate matters more, there are no Guinea-Bissau embassies in the US or UK. Visa-seekers are advised to visit the GB Embassies in either Dakar, Senegal; Lisbon, Portugal; or Paris, France (tel: +33 1 48 74 36 39) for visa information.
Money & costs
The West African CFA franc (XOF) is used by Guinea-Bissau. It is also used by Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. While it is a separate currency from the Central African CFA franc (XAF), the two currencies are used interchangeably at par throughout all countries that use the CFA franc (XAF & XOF).
Getting around
In Bissau minibuses called toca-toca work for transports within the city. There are also regular taxis. For inter-city travel there are sept-places, (seven-seat Peugeot) and candongas, big commercial vehicles carrying ten to twenty passengers. Prefer sept-place or at least try to get the front seats. It is also possible to rent taxis to other towns and cities.
Language
Portuguese is the official language and the language used for writing; however, a Portuguese creole is the language spoken among the locals as the lingua franca. There are several local languages such as Fula, Balanta, Mandinka, Pepel, Bijago, etc., but you will always find people from other African countries (Gambia, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Mauritania, Nigeria) who speak English and French. You can buy a Creole/English dictionary at the WEC Mission which is in Caracol, and in the Mavegro super…
Staying safe
Guinea-Bissau has one of the highest rates of petty and violent crime on the continent, which should not be underestimated, a lack of much law enforcement, and a very dysfunctional government. The country is home to several drug kingpins and a large volume of narcotics passes through remote islands and airstrips en route from South America to Europe. Until 2019, the country had the onerous distinction of never having an elected president complete a full 5-year term in office and there have been dozens of coups and attempted coups as well as numerous assassinations of officials and military lea…
Health
Before visiting, make sure you have the yellow fever, hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid vaccinations up to date. Malaria prophylaxis is highly recommended: consult a doctor for advice on which type to choose. Depending on the length and purpose of your stay, also consider vaccinations for hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis and tuberculosis.
Staying connected
There are numerous internet cafés in the center of Bissau, but ask around, more of them are hard to spot from outside. Other options are Lenox or go wireless in Restaurant Phoenicia or hotel Bissau Palace.
Local etiquette
Muslims are mostly tolerant of others in this country, if your presence is considered to be temporary. There are a few radicalized mosques in the country, so it is advised that you do not venture into these areas. The Christian minority is tolerated, but under constant surveillance by Guinea-Bissau activists and Government officials.
Practical guidance for Guinea-Bissau is summarised from Wikivoyage (CC BY-SA). Always confirm official visa, health and safety requirements before you travel.
Getting around & staying connected
Cheapest ways to travel in Guinea-Bissau
Ride apps & transport
- 1Bolt
Estonian rival to Uber, typically 10–20% cheaper; also e-scooters and bikes.
- 2Yango
Yandex's international brand — cheap cars across Africa and the Middle East.
- 3inDrive
Name your own fare and let nearby drivers accept or counter — great for tight budgets.
Ride-hailing coverage varies here — check whether these apps are live in your city before relying on them.
Cheapest SIM for foreigners
Local prepaid SIM
Buy a tourist SIM from an official operator kiosk at the airport (bring your passport) — usually the cheapest data.
eSIM (Airalo / Holafly) lets you get online the moment you land — handy if you don't want to queue for a SIM.
Prices and app coverage change often — figures are indicative for 2026, so confirm the current tourist plan in the app or at the airport kiosk.
Plan your trip
A route through Guinea-Bissau
A suggested loop connecting Guinea-Bissau's major cities by proximity — a practical order for a multi-city trip.
Where to go
Top cities in Guinea-Bissau
In pictures
Guinea-Bissau gallery
Location
Find it on the map
Plan your trip
Travel cost for Guinea-Bissau
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Guinea-Bissau
Estimated total (USD)
$1,935
≈ $968 per person · $276 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $70/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Guinea-Bissau's mid-range daily budget ($35–95 per person on the ground). Flights are a separate estimate and vary by origin.
Good to know
Guinea-Bissau travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Guinea-Bissau?
The dry season offers the best wildlife viewing and travel comfort.
Is Guinea-Bissau worth visiting?
Yes — travellers visit Guinea-Bissau for its landscapes, cities and culture. Start with Bissau, then explore the top regions on this Guinea-Bissau travel guide for a realistic itinerary.
Do I need a visa to travel to Guinea-Bissau?
Visa rules for Guinea-Bissau depend on your passport — use the visa checker on this site for a nationality-specific answer. Use our Guinea-Bissau visa checker for rules by nationality before you book flights.
How much does a trip to Guinea-Bissau cost?
Budget roughly $35–95 per person per day for mid-range travel in Guinea-Bissau, not including long-haul flights. Costs vary by season and how much you move between cities.
Is Guinea-Bissau safe for tourists?
Check current travel advice for Guinea-Bissau before you go.
Keep exploring
