Transportation in Guinea-Bissau

Shared taxis and minibuses are the everyday arteries here, cheap, crowded, and the quickest way to feel the pulse of Bissau. They leave when full, so patience is part of the fare. For comfort, a private taxi is a moderate splurge and the only real option after dark. Agree the price before you shut the door, as meters are non-existent. Renting a car is possible but pricey, and the roads outside the capital can swallow an afternoon in potholes. Landing at Osvaldo Vieira International, ignore the swarm of freelance drivers in the arrivals hall, they'll quote double. Walk past them to the small official taxi stand just outside. The cars are older but the rates are fixed and fair. If you're on a tight budget, wait by the main road outside the airport gate for a shared minibus heading to Bissau's center, it's a fraction of a taxi. But only runs until early evening.