São Tomé & Príncipe

Recommended Vaccinations For São Tomé & Príncipe

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended. Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against the disease.

For Some Travellers

Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR) Vaccine

One dose of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) is recommended to infants 6 to 11 months prior to international travel.

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) Vaccine

A BCG vaccine is recommended for all unvaccinated adults and children under 16 years of age, staying in the country for more than 3 months. A tuberculin skin test is required prior to administering vaccination for all children from 6 years of age.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

The yellow fever vaccination is not recommended for this country. However, this country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Recommended Medications For São Tomé & Príncipe

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include atovaquone-proguanil, mefloquine or doxycycline. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxime-pyrimethamine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for São Tomé & Príncipe

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in São Tomé and Príncipe.

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya may occur in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in São Tomé and Príncipe through contaminated food or water. Infection can still occur at tourist destinations and resorts.

Dengue Fever

Dengue fever may occur in this country.

For Some Travellers

Leishmaniasis

There is a risk of acquiring Leishmaniasis in the country. The infection is transmitted by the bite of infected phlebotomine sandfly.

Malaria

All areas of São Tomé and Príncipe are at high risk for malaria.

Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever

There is a risk of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in São Tomé and Príncipe.

African Tick Bite Fever

There is an increased risk of this disease in this country.

Hanta Virus

There is a risk of acquiring hantavirus in São Tomé and Príncipe through contaminated food or by coming into contact with someone infected with the virus.

Measles

There is a risk of exposure to measles in the country.

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis occurs in São Tomé and Príncipe. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

West Nile Fever

The virus is transmitted to animals, birds and humans by mosquitoes. Symptoms include fever, headache, tiredness, body aches, nausea, and skin rash.

Rift Valley Fever (RVF)

Commonly spread via contact with domesticated animals infected with the virus. These include cattle, buffalo, sheep, goats, and camels, among others.

Schistosomiasis

This disease is present in São Tomé and Príncipe and is acquired through contact with fresh water, such as swimming, bathing, or rafting. Well-chlorinated swimming pools and contact with saltwater in oceans or seas will not put travellers at risk for schistosomiasis.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in São Tomé and Príncipe. Travellers to São Tomé and Príncipe are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Yellow Fever

There is a low risk for yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for travellers 1 year of age and older arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and for travellers having transited more than 12 hours through an airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in São Tomé and Príncipe, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in São Tomé and Príncipe. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are also at higher risk.

Safety & Security in São Tomé & Príncipe

Personal Safety

Sao Tome and Principe maintains low crime rates compared to other regional destinations. Petty theft occurs in crowded areas like markets, entertainment venues, and beaches. Pickpocketing and bag snatching happen particularly around Sao Tome city center and popular beaches. Armed robberies and burglaries are reported more frequently than pickpocketing, though serious violent crime remains rare. Visitors can generally walk around the capital safely during the day and night. The country has no current terrorism threats. Scams targeting tourists include inflated taxi prices, ATM rigging, and overcharged services. Negotiate taxi fares before entering vehicles. Withdraw money inside banks rather than street ATMs to reduce scam risks. Beaches and nightclubs near coastal areas require extra caution, as most petty crimes occur in these locations. While locals are friendly and welcoming, some may view tourists as easy targets for financial gain. Civil unrest occasionally occurs in the capital related to economic difficulties and political disputes over development investments. Corruption can be an issue, with occasional bribe requests possible. Photographing the Presidential Palace, military installations, and government buildings is strictly prohibited. If confronted during an attempted robbery, surrender property rather than resist. Report all incidents to police. Avoid displaying expensive jewelry, large cash amounts, or valuable electronics. Beaches are generally unsupervised with potentially strong ocean currents.

Extreme Violence

Violent crime rates remain low in Sao Tome and Principe. The country experiences minimal extreme violence, with armed robberies and violent crime being relatively rare occurrences. Visitors can safely walk around most areas, including the capital, during day and night. While armed robberies and burglaries have been reported, they occur less frequently than in neighboring regional countries. Isolated incidents of robberies turning violent happen occasionally, but these lack organized quality. Local gangs engage primarily in petty crime like robberies, hold-ups, and theft rather than serious violent activities. There is no indication of mafia-style groups or significant organized criminal networks operating in the country. The country has no recent history of terrorism, though attacks cannot be entirely ruled out. Sao Tome and Principe is considered a peaceful destination with currently no terrorism threat. A failed coup attempt occurred in November 2022, resulting in four assailants killed by security forces, but this represents an isolated incident in an otherwise stable democracy. The country is generally regarded as maintaining strong political institutions despite this event. Murder rates are low, with historical data showing homicide rates fluctuating between 2.81 and 8.05 per 100,000 population in the late 2000s and early 2010s. Drug trafficking by foreign criminal actors occurs through the islands, with citizens sometimes recruited as drug mules, but this poses minimal direct threat to tourists.

Political Unrest

Sao Tome and Principe holds regular competitive elections and has undergone multiple democratic transfers of power between rival parties. The country is generally regarded as a stable democracy in a region often marked by violent transfers of power. Political institutions are relatively strong, though corruption and bad governance have fueled popular discontent. Civil unrest can occasionally occur, particularly in the capital city. Economic difficulties and political disputes over handling of investments and development can lead to protests and demonstrations. In September 2022 elections, demonstrators blocked access to polling stations to protest lack of drinking water, and protesters burned tires outside election commission headquarters in response to delayed results. In January 2025, the president dismissed the government and prime minister, citing prolonged absences and failure to address economic challenges, giving the ruling party 72 hours to form a new government. Freedom of assembly is generally respected, though organizers must give authorities two days’ notice before public gatherings. In August 2023, the government suspended freedom of assembly for 15 days during a summit. Demonstrations can impact local services, transportation, and traffic. While protests are typically not violent, tensions can escalate. Vote buying by political parties remains a problem during elections. Corruption and lack of transparency in government persist as ongoing issues. A failed coup attempt in November 2022 saw four assailants killed, but the country restored stability quickly and maintains its democratic framework.

Areas To Avoid

Sao Tome and Principe has no specific areas that travelers must avoid entirely. The country is one of the more peaceful places in Africa. However, certain locations require increased caution. Avoid shady alleys, notorious neighborhoods, remote areas, and city outskirts, particularly after dark. Beach areas require extra vigilance as most petty crimes occur in these locations. Deserted beaches and beach fronts should be avoided after dark. Nightclubs, pubs, and bars near beaches warrant particular caution, especially when visiting alone. Outside the capital, nighttime travel is not recommended due to pitch darkness and lack of infrastructure. Suburbs and slums should be avoided. When trekking in Obo National Park or exploring lesser-known areas, travel with a guide due to lack of phone service and long distances to nearest towns. Remote areas away from main routes make getting help difficult in emergencies. Infrastructure does not always meet international standards, with some bridges and roads in poor condition, especially after heavy rain. Completely isolated beach locations away from main routes should be avoided unless others know your plans. The ocean can be unpredictable with strong currents. Rural areas are more conservative and may present challenges for certain travelers. The capital city of Sao Tome has areas where increased caution is needed, particularly in crowded public areas like markets where pickpocketing occurs. Overall, the islands are considered safe with no war zones or extremely dangerous regions, but common sense precautions apply throughout.