How to Find Cheap Hotels in Guinea Bissau

A former Portuguese colony, Guinea Bissau spent a decade struggling with civil unrest and conflict. Today, Guinea Bissau has a multi-party democratic government. The country's people represent numerous different ethnicities and there is a general absence of ethnic turbulence. However, there are incidences of border fighting between the country's troops and Senegalese rebels. Guinea Bissau is considered a party-friendly place to stay with a variety of cheap accommodations.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport
• Visa
• Internet access for making reservations

Know Your Destination

1. The official language is Portuguese. However, Crioulo is also spoken.
2. The official currency of Guinea Bissau is the West African CFA franc.
3. Tribal religions dominate in Guinea Bissau, followed by Islam.
4. Guinea Bissau experiences a rainy season from June to October; rain is heaviest along the coast. Humidity rules in April and May, with temperatures hovering in the low to mid 90s. Otherwise, daily temperatures average in the mid 80s.
5. Be sure your passport is current, since it is necessary to enter the country. A visa is required as well and should be obtained in advance.

Organize Transportation

6. Enter Guinea Bissau through the country's only airport. The airport is located 8 miles from the city of Bissau, the capital, and offers taxis and minibuses to the heart of the capital.
7. Consider traveling overland from neighboring countries. Bush taxis are available for border crossings.
8. Get around in Guinea Bissau via minibuses and bush taxis.
9. Travel on rural roads in trucks called kandongas.
10. Consider traveling by canoe during the rainy season.

Choose Cheap Accommodations

11. Give your wallet a break. Accommodations are relatively inexpensive in Guinea Bissau. The lowest-priced rooms are in the range of $10 to $25; splurging may mean spending $50 to $80.
12. Stay in the capital to be close to businesses. You'll find a selection of hotels with a range of modern amenities here.
13. Consider renting a privately offered room if you will be venturing far from the capital. Most private rooms are low in price.
14. Consider a hotel on the Bijagoes Islands to experience tropical beauty up close.

Tips & Warnings

• Members of nations belonging to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) do not need visas.
• The water may be unsafe for consumption. Drink bottled water.
• Yellow fever, hepatitis A, typhoid, tetanus and malaria are present in Guinea Bissau. Get immunized before you travel and consider taking medication to prevent malaria.
• Double check to be sure border crossings are safe before you travel overland to Guinea Bissau.