Guinea-Bissau Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare System
Guinea-Bissau has one of the least developed healthcare systems in the world, with severe shortages of medical personnel, equipment, and medications. The country has limited hospital facilities, mostly concentrated in Bissau, with minimal services available in rural areas.
Hospitals
Hospital Simão Mendes in Bissau is the main referral hospital but has very limited capabilities. Private clinics exist in Bissau with slightly better conditions but still fall short of international standards. Medical facilities in the Bijagós Islands and rural areas are extremely basic or non-existent.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies (farmácias) are available in Bissau but have limited stock. Many medications, especially specialized drugs, are unavailable. Bring all necessary prescription medications with you, along with copies of prescriptions and generic names.
Healthcare Tips
- Bring a comprehensive medical kit including antibiotics, antimalarials, pain relievers, and any prescription medications you might need
- Carry sufficient supplies of all prescription medications for your entire trip plus extra in case of delays
- Identify evacuation routes and options before traveling to remote areas
- Keep your embassy contact information readily available for medical emergencies
- Consider scheduling a pre-travel consultation with a travel medicine specialist
- Drink only bottled or purified water and avoid ice in drinks
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft occur in Bissau, particularly in crowded areas, markets, and near the port. Thieves often target tourists who appear distracted or display valuable items.
Armed robberies can occur, particularly after dark. While less common than petty theft, incidents have been reported targeting both locals and foreigners, sometimes involving weapons.
Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability, military coups, and civil unrest. Political demonstrations can escalate quickly and have sometimes resulted in violence, roadblocks, and disruption of services.
Road conditions are poor throughout the country with potholes, unpaved roads, and lack of lighting. Traffic rules are poorly enforced, vehicles are often poorly maintained, and accidents are common. Many roads become impassable during rainy season.
Malaria is endemic throughout Guinea-Bissau year-round, with high transmission rates. Other diseases include dengue fever, yellow fever, typhoid, cholera, and various waterborne and foodborne illnesses.
The waters off Guinea-Bissau are part of the Gulf of Guinea, where maritime piracy and armed robbery at sea have been reported. This primarily affects commercial vessels but can impact tourist boats.
Guinea-Bissau is a known transit point for international drug trafficking, particularly cocaine from South America to Europe. While this primarily involves organized crime, it contributes to corruption and occasional violence.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals posing as police officers stop tourists and demand to see documents, then claim there are problems and request bribes or 'fines' to be paid immediately in cash.
Taxi drivers, vendors, and service providers quote inflated prices to foreigners, sometimes 5-10 times the normal rate, knowing tourists are unfamiliar with local prices.
Unofficial money changers offer attractive rates but use sleight of hand, counterfeit bills, or miscounting to shortchange tourists. Some work in pairs to distract victims.
Unlicensed individuals approach tourists offering guide services at low prices but provide poor service, take tourists to shops where they receive commissions, or abandon clients in remote areas.
Online listings show properties that don't exist or are significantly misrepresented. Some operators demand full payment upfront then provide substandard accommodation or disappear.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
General Safety
- Register with your embassy upon arrival and provide your itinerary
- Keep photocopies of important documents separate from originals
- Share your itinerary with family or friends and check in regularly
- Learn basic Portuguese phrases for emergencies
- Keep emergency cash in USD or Euros hidden separately from your main wallet
- Carry a fully charged phone with local SIM card and important numbers saved
- Be aware that ATMs are limited and often out of service; carry sufficient cash
Accommodation Safety
- Choose hotels with security measures such as guards, secure entrances, and safes
- Keep room doors and windows locked at all times
- Don't open doors to unexpected visitors; verify identity through hotel staff
- Store valuables in hotel safes, not in rooms
- Know emergency exits and evacuation procedures
- Avoid ground floor rooms if possible for added security
Transportation Safety
- Use registered taxis or arrange transportation through your hotel
- Avoid public transportation due to poor safety standards and overcrowding
- Keep car doors locked and windows up while driving
- Don't travel between cities after dark
- Carry a spare tire and basic supplies when driving outside Bissau
- Be prepared for police checkpoints; have documents ready
- Consider hiring a driver who knows local conditions rather than self-driving
Health Precautions
- Take antimalarial medication as prescribed, starting before arrival
- Use insect repellent containing at least 30% DEET
- Sleep under insecticide-treated mosquito nets
- Wash hands frequently or use hand sanitizer, especially before eating
- Avoid raw foods, salads, and unpeeled fruits
- Only drink bottled water from sealed containers
- Avoid swimming in freshwater rivers and lakes due to schistosomiasis risk
- Ensure all vaccinations are up to date including yellow fever (required), hepatitis A and B, typhoid, and routine vaccines
Money and Valuables
- Carry only what you need for the day; leave excess cash and valuables secured
- Use money belts or hidden pouches for cash and documents
- Divide money and cards among different locations on your person
- Be discreet when accessing money; don't count cash in public
- Notify your bank of travel plans to avoid card blocks
- Keep small denomination bills for daily purchases
- Be aware that credit cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels
Communication
- Purchase a local SIM card for reliable communication
- Keep your embassy's 24-hour emergency number programmed in your phone
- Download offline maps as internet connectivity is unreliable
- Learn key phrases in Portuguese and Kriol (local creole language)
- Inform someone of your whereabouts when traveling to remote areas
- Consider carrying a portable charger or power bank
- Be aware that internet access is limited and slow outside major hotels
Cultural Sensitivity
- Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially outside tourist areas
- Ask permission before photographing people, religious sites, or military installations
- Respect Islamic customs during Ramadan and in predominantly Muslim areas
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Use right hand for greetings and eating, as left hand is considered unclean
- Remove shoes when entering mosques or homes
- Be patient and respectful as concepts of time may differ from Western expectations
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers can visit Guinea-Bissau safely but should take additional precautions. While harassment is less common than in some other West African countries, women may experience unwanted attention, particularly in urban areas. Solo women travelers should be especially vigilant. The country is predominantly Muslim with conservative social norms, though not as strict as some other Islamic nations.
- Dress conservatively with shoulders and knees covered; loose-fitting clothing is recommended
- Avoid walking alone, especially after dark; use trusted transportation
- Consider wearing a wedding ring or mentioning a husband to deflect unwanted attention
- Be firm but polite in declining unwanted approaches or invitations
- Sit near other women or families on public transportation when possible
- Book accommodations in reputable hotels with good security
- Avoid isolated beaches and remote areas without a trusted companion or guide
- Be cautious about accepting drinks from strangers
- Trust your instincts; remove yourself from uncomfortable situations
- Connect with other travelers or join group tours for added security
- Keep your phone charged and accessible with emergency contacts saved
- Consider hiring a female guide if available for cultural sites and markets
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Same-sex sexual activity is legal in Guinea-Bissau, and there are no specific laws criminalizing homosexuality. However, there are also no legal protections against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
- Exercise extreme discretion regarding sexual orientation and gender identity
- Avoid public displays of affection with same-sex partners
- Do not discuss LGBTQ+ topics openly with locals unless you are certain of their acceptance
- Research accommodations carefully; request rooms with appropriate bedding arrangements
- Be aware that local attitudes may be hostile; prioritize personal safety
- Connect with international LGBTQ+ travel networks for current on-the-ground information
- Consider traveling as 'friends' or 'colleagues' rather than as a couple
- Have contingency plans if you encounter discrimination or hostility
- Keep embassy contact information readily available
- Be particularly cautious in rural areas where attitudes are more conservative
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with extensive medical coverage and emergency evacuation is absolutely essential for Guinea-Bissau. The country's healthcare system cannot handle serious medical emergencies, and evacuation to Senegal, Morocco, or Europe may be necessary for adequate treatment. Medical evacuation can cost $50,000-$100,000 or more. Additionally, the country's political instability means trip cancellations or interruptions are possible. Without proper insurance, you could face catastrophic expenses or be unable to access necessary medical care.