Sub Saharan Africa

Insurance

We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling, including cover for medical evacuation.  You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake.  For more general information see Travel Insurance.

If things do go wrong when you are oversees then this is How We Can Help.

Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.  More information about registering with LOCATE can be found here.

Representation
 
There is no British Embassy in São Tomé and Principe.  São Tomé and Principe is covered from the British Embassy in Luanda, Angola.
 
Money
 
Credit cards are accepted in a very limited number of places.  You should confirm with the hotel, restaurant etc that they will accept your card before incurring expenditure.  There are no ATMs.  Cash is available from the main bank in São Tomé with a visa card. Travellers’ cheques can also be exchanged there but are not generally accepted elsewhere.

In an emergency it may be possible to remit funds in an emergency via Western Union. Their website lists details of their agency on São Tomé.  You are strongly advised to check the latest position with your travel agent/tour company prior to travel, and to carry sufficient cash.