How many towns to visit: I advise
four to six towns in total. Transport is slow and expensive, checkpoints eat time, and after that number the stops start to look alike. Two on Bioko and three or four on the mainland covers the main contrasts without rushing.
Which kind suits you: Choose
island towns if you want colonial architecture, restaurants, cash machines and easier logistics. Choose
mainland towns if you want forest-edge markets, cheaper food, border-country atmosphere and almost no other foreigners. Travelers short on time or comfort should lean island. Those with patience and Spanish or French should add the mainland interior.
Budget: This is not a cheap country. Expect
US$80 to 150 a day at a mid-range level. Hotels run about 35,000 to 90,000 XAF (US$60 to 150) a night, and basic guesthouses …
read more 👉 How many towns to visit: I advise four to six towns in total. Transport is slow and expensive, checkpoints eat time, and after that number the stops start to look alike. Two on Bioko and three or four on the mainland covers the main contrasts without rushing.Which kind suits you: Choose island towns if you want colonial architecture, restaurants, cash machines and easier logistics. Choose mainland towns if you want forest-edge markets, cheaper food, border-country atmosphere and almost no other foreigners. Travelers short on time or comfort should lean island. Those with patience and Spanish or French should add the mainland interior.Budget: This is not a cheap country. Expect US$80 to 150 a day at a mid-range level. Hotels run about 35,000 to 90,000 XAF (US$60 to 150) a night, and basic guesthouses on the mainland sit at the lower end. Meals at local restaurants cost 3,000 to 8,000 XAF (US$5 to 14). Shared taxis within a town are about 500 to 1,000 XAF (under US$2), intercity minibuses 3,000 to 10,000 XAF (US$5 to 17), and a domestic flight between the island and mainland roughly US$100 to 200 one way. Most town sights are free, and a private driver or guide is about 30,000 to 60,000 XAF (US$50 to 100) a day. Bring euros or dollars to change, since cards are accepted unevenly.Safety and etiquette: Violent crime is low, but petty theft and opportunistic police stops occur. Carry your passport, visa and a copy of your entry stamp, and stay calm and polite at checkpoints. Do not photograph government buildings, the presidential palace, military posts, airports or officials, and ask before photographing people. Greet shopkeepers and officials before any request. Dress modestly, particularly in smaller towns, and avoid political conversation. Malaria is present, so take prophylaxis, and bring a yellow fever certificate.