Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
FESTIVALS & EVENTS
Guinea-Bissau's main event is Carnaval (
Click here
). The biggest party happens in Bis-
sau, but Bubaque has the more interesting masks and costumes.
HEALTH
A certificate with proof of yellow-fever vaccination is required for all travellers.
INTERNET ACCESS
Wi-fi is increasingly common in hotels and restaurants in Bissau. Roaming is possible on
phones and iPads, but connections are generally slow. Don't count on internet access out-
side the capital.
MONEY
Some ATMs in the capital accept international visa cards. Try the Malaika Hotel or the
ATM opposite the Kalliste Hotel.
The unit of currency is the West African CFA franc.
POST
The postal service is slow. You're better off posting mail home from Senegal or The Gam-
bia.
PRACTICALITIES
»
Radio
National radio and TV stations broadcast in Portuguese. Most interesting for travellers is Radio Mavegro
FM (100.0MHz), which combines music with hourly news bulletins in English from the BBC.
»
Newspapers
Newspapers come and go quickly in Bissau. If you sit at one of the city's cafes or restaurants, a
vendor will quickly offer you the latest options. If you can read Portuguese or Crioulo, it's worth checking out the
Friday editions for the serialised fiction.
»
Electricity
Supply is 220V and plugs are of the European two-round-pin variety.
»
Language
Portuguese is the official language, though the tongue that unites Bissau-Guineans of diverse ethnic
groups is the soft and rhythmic Crioulo. French is also fairly widely spoken.
PUBLIC HOLIDAYS
Islamic feasts, such as Eid al-Fitr (at the end of Ramadan) and Tabaski, are celebrated.
Guinea-Bissau also celebrates a number of public holidays.
New Year's Day
1 January
Anniversary of the Death of Amílcar Cabral
20 January
Women's Day
8 March
Easter
March/April
