How to get there?
There are not many possibilities to fly to Guinea Bissau and things change regularly. I give here some options, but it is always worthwhile to search the internet for more. The possibilities and prices depend a lot on the period of your travel. The most expensive time being Christmas and New Year. Booking early is advisable for that period.
Direct flights to Bissau:
TAP flies 3x a week (on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) from Lisbon to Bissau.
You can buy TAP tickets at any travel agency. Sometimes TAP has special offers on the internet, but they are very rare to Bissau. The amount of weekly flights is subject to changes.
TACV (Cabe Verde) flies to Bissau once a week from Lisbon (over Dakar).
Flying to Gambia:
There are charter flights to Gambia from many places. Prices vary with the season. These tickets are easy to find at any travel agent or on the internet.
Travelling from Banjul to Bissau is possible in one day. Read the information your Ministry of Foreign Affairs gives on traveling through the Casamence. Crossing the rivers in Guinea Bissau has become easy since the construction of two bridges.
Flying to Senegal:
It is easy to find tickets to Dakar with all kinds of companies. Travelling over land from Dakar to Bissau can be done in one day, but is a lot more relaxed if you take your time. There are no more daily flights from Dakar to Bissau although rumours say that Air Senegal will make a new start (Februari 2011). There is a boat from Dakar to Ziguinchor. The trip from Ziguinchor to Bissau is fast and easy.
Practical information
Visa
Most EU citizens need visa for Guinea Bissau. The amount of Guinean Embassies and Consulates is not wide-spread. Visa can also be obtained in Ziguinchor at the Guinea Bissau consulate.
For most visa, your passport needs to be valid until six months after returning in your country of residence.
Vaccinations
Vaccination for Yellow Fever is compulsory. Anti malaria-medication is recommended.
Language
The official language of Guinea Bissau is Portuguese although it is spoken fluently only by a small elite. The language of communication between the (± 25) ethnical languages is Crioulo, a mixture between local languages and Portuguese. It is possible to get around with French (there are also quite some Senegalese immigrants in Bissau), and it is getting more and more easy to find people (especially youngsters) who speak a reasonable amount of English.
The official language of The Gambia is English; in Senegal it is French.
Best season
The best period to travel to West Africa in general is from November until March. Temperatures in Guinea Bissau are agreeable and it is dry during this period. In December and January the nights get quiet cool, although it never gets cold.
Time difference
Guinea Bissau has UTC time.
Money
Guinea Bissau and Senegal: CFA: 1 euro = ±650 CFA. (CFA may not be exported, so you will not be able to buy CFA outside the CFA-zone).
Since February 2011 it is possible to obtain money with a VISA creditcard in Bissau at BAO Bank. The ATM machine is often down, but during working hours one can obtain money with the creditcard at the countre. If you bring casch, Euros are strongly preferred over US dollars or any other currency. During Christmas and New Year, the country can run out of CFA and the rate can become bad. If you come from Senegal, change some extra money before crossing the boarder in order to avoid a bad rate.
Gambia: dalasi: 1 euro = ±32 dalasis
Water
In the city of Bissau, tap water is of good drinking quality. The same counts for other cities as Bafatá and Gabú. Nevertheless, to avoid problems, the drinking of mineral water, especially outside towns is recommended. You can buy local and imported mineral water almost everywhere. Tap water is getting more and more scarce in Bissau due to electricity failure.
Electricity
The mains voltage in Guinea Bissau is 220V and plugs equal those on the mainland of Europe. The supply of electricity thought is very bad till non existing. Even the capital has hardly had any electricity in the years after the war. Since 2011 things are getting a little better. Most hotels have a generator although only some have 24 hours electricity and water guaranteed. Bringing a torch light is no luxury. Because of the bad condition of roads, it is recommended to walk with a torch at night to avoid falling into unexpected holes in the road.
Senegal has the same power system. Power cuts are getting more and more frequent but in general the provisions are rather good.
Gambia has the English system. The voltage is 220 volt. You can take an international adapter with you. The interior of the country is not always equipped with Electricity.
Personal security
Guinea Bissau is one of the safest countries in Africa. This does not mean that criminality does not exist. Beware of pickpockets on crowded places (markets etc.). You are no special target as a white person.
From 20.00 pm it is dark outside. The streets are pitch dark by then because of the lack of electricity. Therefore it is recommended to avoid small, unknown streets and allies. The neighbourhood around the harbour and the quarter called Reino Gambeafada are often indicated as unsafe places.
