Packing list for São Tomé and Príncipe, travel insurance for São Tomé and Príncipe and taking your belongings

What to bring to São Tomé and Príncipe: brief

To pack and check

• Documents and money: a passport valid for at least another 6 months. Some EU travelers do not require a visa for stays of up to 15 days, but always check the current rules. The local currency is the dobra (STN), but euros are accepted in some places. ATMs are limited and do not always work, so bring enough cash (euros) for your entire trip.
• Clothing: light, airy clothing (for example, linen or cotton) for the tropical climate, and long, thin clothing can be pleasant against mosquitoes and sun. A light, good raincoat or poncho is handy, as tropical showers can be quite heavy.
• Shoes: flip-flops or sandals for visits to beaches and villages. Good walking shoes are useful if you visit the rainforest, volcanic areas, or remote beaches. 
• Care and hygiene: reef-safe sunscreen with a high SPF. São Tomé and Príncipe is located practically on the equator. That means strong sun.
• Women: do you use tampons, menstrual cups, or specific menstrual products? Bring sufficient supplies. On the smaller islands, the selection is limited and products are not always available.
• Packing and protection: a waterproof bag for electronics and documents. A rain cover for your backpack is also a good idea.
• Insects and animals: a good mosquito repellent (preferably with DEET or picaridine).
• Sleeping and lying: although most accommodations have them, a mosquito net can be pleasant when staying in simple accommodations.
• Medicines and travel first aid kit: a first aid kit with plasters, ORS, painkillers, disinfectant, and anti-diarrhea medication. Not all medicines are readily available.
• Outdoors and handy items: sunglasses, a cap or hat, and a reusable water bottle with a filter.
• Technology and equipment: Type C and F sockets. Dutch plugs fit just fine. A headlamp or flashlight and a power bank can be useful if you are staying outside resorts, as power outages can occur quite often there.

To consider

• A snorkel set.
• Water shoes for rocky beaches.
• Quick-drying towel.
• Waterproof phone case.

Are there mosquitoes in São Tomé and Príncipe?

• Mosquitoes occur in significant numbers year-round, especially in damp areas, around the rainforest, and in stagnant water.
• Although the government has significantly reduced the number of infections, malaria still occurs in São Tomé and Príncipe. Other mosquito-borne diseases also occur.
• Mosquito protection is therefore important, especially during sunrise and sunset.
• More about protection against mosquitoes and insects or malaria.

Are there sandflies in São Tomé and Príncipe?

• There is little specific information regarding major sandfly problems in São Tomé and Príncipe.
• However, small biting flies that cause similar symptoms may occur on beaches, in mangrove areas, and in damp coastal locations. An insect repellent containing DEET or picaridine usually offers sufficient protection.
• More about sandflies and sand fleas.

Can you buy DEET, or other insect repellents, in São Tomé and Príncipe?

• Yes, but the selection is limited, especially outside the capital!
• In the capital, São Tomé, insect repellents are available at pharmacies and a few supermarkets, but perhaps not in the form you would prefer.
• Therefore, bring enough of your favorite insect repellent with you.

Can you buy a joint or weed in São Tomé and Príncipe, or bring it to São Tomé and Príncipe?

• No, cannabis is illegal in any form. The police and customs crack down hard on foreigners involved with drugs.
• Possession of even a small amount can lead to very severe penalties.