Things to see and do São Tomé And Príncipe

José is a dynamic guide, much in demand for his in-depth knowledge of the island. He can put together an attractive program for you to discover the subtleties of his native land, by car or 4x4. What's more, he speaks excellent French, so you'll be able to make the most of your visits, and his company is very welcome. José, like many Santomeans, is also a farmer in his spare time. He can also show you around his verdant fields where he grows vanilla and pepper, among other crops.

This art centre, founded by the famous João Carlos Silva, is a must-see in the city. Located in a renovated former factory, it features works by local artists, including paintings by Olavo Amado. A permanent exhibition of old photographs sheds light on the history of the island and its roças. In the adjoining café, a large Portuguese library offers a good selection of literature. This dynamic place regularly organizes film screenings and theme nights, sometimes with live bands

You will be able to admire this magnificent waterfall of more than 30 meters high, very impressive, especially in the rainy season. The area is still not very busy and the less chilly can even get into the water in this little paradise by taking the stairs and the small wooden bridge that crosses the river. If you continue the road after the waterfall, you will arrive at one of the most beautiful rocas of the area, now inhabited by the inhabitants of the village. You can also consider a hike to Bombaim (6 hours walk).

Created in 1997, the garden is located at an altitude of 1,120 metres. It is full of trees, orchids, rare or endangered plants and exotic birds. It is possible to visit it with a French and English speaking guide. It is also a place of information on the flora and particularly the orchids with some explanatory panels, maps and photos. All the hikes in the Obô Natural Park start from there. You will find guides on the spot.

Claudio Corallo, Italian by birth but living in Africa since 1974, welcomes visitors after the closure of his artisan chocolate factory to share his passion for coffee and chocolate. In a series of stages, visitors learn all about the subtleties of cocoa, from cultivation to processing. In this chocolate factory, which resembles an artist's studio and is the antithesis of an agri-food factory, the agronomist lets visitors discover and taste his work, and the visit is punctuated by numerous explanations (in French, Portuguese, English and Italian) and tastings. You'll discover some unusual flavours: chocolate with grapes macerated in cocoa alcohol, ginger, orange, pepper and coffee, grown in the center of the island near Monte Café or on the island of Príncipe. For purists: chocolate with 70%, 80% or 100% cocoa. It's possible to buy chocolates and coffee after your visit: even if you're not tempted, stay and listen to this true enthusiast, who remains close to his visitors, and perhaps he'll share with you the recipe for his light, tasty chocolate mousse...

Claudio Corallo's chocolates can now be found in many of the country's boutiques, from Ckdo to the airport, in France (L'arbre à café, rue du Nil, Paris) and in other countries. Products can be ordered online, with fast, direct delivery to your home. A unique taste and sensory experience not to be missed!

The cathedral is located on the site of a small chapel that was destroyed and rebuilt during the Portuguese, Spanish and Dutch occupations of the 16th and 17th centuries. Its construction began in 1576, during the reign of the pious King Sebastian I. The church was elevated to the dignity of a cathedral by the diocese and named Our Lady of Grace in 1534. Its frontispiece was broken in 1784 and it was rebuilt in 1814. In 1956, it was renovated in a revivalist style. You can admire some beautiful blue mosaics.

It was the largest cocoa and coffee plantation still in operation almost 10 years ago. The ruins of the former hospital (each roça had its own hospital at the time) still house the factory and storeroom. At the time of our report, the plantation had been abandoned and visits were still suspended. For some time now, however, there has been talk of a resumption of activities. Find out more on site. You'll be able to discover the whole process of separating and processing cocoa and palm oil.

In a rehabilitated colonial style building, a small museum traces the history of coffee making from the time of the splendour of the roça Monte Café. You can discover a machine from that time which was used to wash, sort the coffee beans according to their size and the whole selection process until the roasting. It is very simple, the visit in French is short but interesting. When you leave the museum, your guide will make you taste a cup of the coffee produced on the spot. And just for the taste of it, it's worth the trip up to the museum!

There are 2 double rooms in Trindade.

This small facility serves as a reception point for tourists visiting the south. It will find all the information you want to visit and visit the region, but not just: You can also dine there (local kitchen for 4 €). Prevent the night before dinner for lunch and morning meal.

A group of young people work the coconut, bamboo and sand to make objects and jewellery. The finishes are impeccable and some original objects (coffee cups, jewelry box).

Takes care of customers since the airport transfer and organizes custom-made tourist circuits.

On your way to the centre or the south, you wander along the small winding roads, and suddenly there it is: Monte Pico, a mountain, so gigantic and so steep, whose rounded tip is hidden in the clouds. At 2,000 metres high, it is both a challenge to overcome and an invitation to discover. A challenge, because its steep slopes can be perilous for those who come ill-prepared. The dense virgin forest that surrounds it preserves its indomitable, even fearsome side. A jewel, because from the top of the peak, on clear days, one enjoys a spectacular view. A climb up the mountain will delight hikers and birdwatchers.

The excursion lasts two days. We leave from the Bom Successo Garden, the park's entrance point. We walk all day to camp at the foot of the mountain in the evening. In the morning, we get up very early to start the climb while it is still cool. We then take advantage of the magnificent spectacle of the sunrise. We go back down on the other side to Ponta Figo, where a car will have to pick us up. You can also sleep at the roça Bombain to have a little more comfort and leave early the next morning.

This hike is not an easy one, so it is necessary to prepare yourself a week in advance. It is necessary to be in good physical condition and to have a good guide. You can go with your own guide from São Tomé, all of them do excursions there, but you can also contact guides on the spot.

Juliette and Francesco, a French and an Italian vanilla grower, open the doors of their workshop, where the delicate scent of this prized spice wafts through the air. During a 45-minute tour, you'll learn all about vanilla, from the orchid that produces the green bean to its hand-pollination, fermentation and drying. The tour is very interesting, and it's easy to see why vanilla is so expensive. On your return from the experimental garden, let yourself be tempted by an exquisite vanilla-arranged rum!

Not far from the museum, this small souvenir shop is a nice place to do some shopping, while showing solidarity with the local craftsmen. It offers objects and products made by Santomeans in the framework of a social project of Santa Casa da Misericordia. You can find local organic products, colorful clothes, jewelry, paintings, sculptures and original pieces. In this artisans' cooperative, the prices are fixed and reasonable and the locals are paid a fair price.

This old palm oil factory has been brought back to life thanks to the Missao Dimix association, which has turned it into a place of artistic education for the island's children. Here, they learn about the transformation of plastic through the works they create. Between the colonial-era machines, you can buy creations by local artists at fixed prices or browse through a few books in the library. Nice exhibition of period photos.

A tourist information centre which at least has the merit of existing, the two agents on the spot not being the best people to provide you with detailed information. However, you will be able to glean some information. The only interest of the place: there is a fairly complete map of the island with some practical indications, sold cheaper than anywhere else, as well as some postcards. One of the hostesses speaks a little French, which is something!

If you'd like to find out more about São Tomé's marine life, this is a worthwhile visit. Through explanatory panels translated into French and other languages, you'll discover the different species of turtle, dolphin and fish that roam the coast. From here, we also organize observations of turtle egg-laying (October to February) and release, in cooperation with the Programa Tatô association. It's also possible to take to the open sea to see dolphins and whales (minimum 2 people).