Guinea Bissau offers pristine beaches, unique wildlife, and the stunning Bijagos Archipelago. This West African gem features 88 islands, saltwater hippos, and vibrant Creole culture, making it one of Africa's most untouched destinations.
Local currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF). 1 USD ≈ 620 XOF (2024). Pegged to Euro at 655.96 XOF/EUR..
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Guinea Bissau.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $10-18 (guesthouse shared or basic private room)
- Budget
- $18-40 (budget guesthouse private room)
- Midrange
- $50-100 (mid-range hotel, island lodge)
- Luxury
- $140-300+ (Hotel Ceiba, Azalai, Cajou Lodge, Ponta Anchaca Resort)
Food
- Street
- $1-4 (street vendor snacks, market food, grilled corn)
- Local
- $4-10 (sit-down local eatery, rice plates, fried fish)
- Midrange
- $10-25 (Coqueiros, Restaurant Bisssau, La Gondola lunch)
- Fine
- $25-60+ (Pôr do Sol, Ceiba Restaurant, La Gondola dinner)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.35-0.85 (chapa minibus within Bissau)
- Taxi
- $2.50-8 (yellow taxi for city rides)
- Airport
- $3-15 (taxi from airport to center)
- Daytrip
- $5-20 (shared sept-place taxi to nearby towns)
Activities
- Museum
- $5 (Ethnographic Museum)
- Sites
- $5-40 (fort entry to national park fees)
- Tour
- $30-80 (guided day tours to Cacheu, Cantanhez)
- Excursion
- $80-200 (Bijagos island boat excursions)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Guinea Bissau costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$175-245/week (guesthouse, local food, chapas, self-guided sightseeing)
Midrange traveller
$420-700/week (mid-range hotel, mix of restaurants, taxi transport, guided day trips)
Luxury traveller
$1260-2100+/week (luxury hotel, fine dining, private transfers, island charters)
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Use chapas (minibuses) for all city transport at $0.35-0.85 per ride instead of taxis
Eat where locals eat - informal rice-and-fish plates at market eateries cost $3-5 and are filling and authentic
Buy cashews, fruit, and snacks at Bandim Market instead of hotel shops - prices are 50-70% lower
Travel in November-April dry season for stable weather without paying seasonal premiums
Book the ferry to Bubaque Island ($16-25) rather than the light aircraft ($80-120) to save significantly on island travel
Negotiate all taxi and pirogue prices before departure - never accept the first price given
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Bandim Market Exploration
Wander Bissau's enormous market absorbing the sights, sounds, and smells of everyday Guinean commerce. Free to enter and one of West Africa's most authentic market experiences.
Bissau Velho Walking Tour
Explore the atmospheric Old Town streets on foot, passing the Presidential Palace, cathedral, and waterfront without any entry fees.
Joao Landim Bridge Sunset Walk
Walk across Bissau's modern bridge at sunset for panoramic views of the Rio Geba estuary and the city skyline completely free of charge.
Bissau Port Morning Visit
The working fishing port with colorful pirogues and morning maritime activity is free to walk through and offers superb photography opportunities.
Quinhamel Fish Market
The dawn fish landing at Quinhamel fishing village is completely free to witness. Take a shared chapa from Bandim for $0.85 each way.
Beach Days at Quinhamel
The beaches around Quinhamel are free to access and offer swimming and relaxation just 20km from Bissau.
Gabu Grand Mosque Exterior
Admire the facade of Gabu's principal mosque and observe daily life in Guinea Bissau's second city at no cost.