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.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Pano di Terra
Handwoven strip cloth in bold geometric patterns, produced by Manjaco and Papel weavers. Each piece takes days to complete on a traditional narrow-band loom.
Price: $10-40
Where: Bandim Market, Bissau Velho craft stalls
Bijago Carved Masks
Ritual animal masks (shark, hippo, buffalo) carved from mafumeira wood by Bijago artisans of the archipelago. Authentic ceremonial pieces also available in decorative tourist versions.
Price: $15-80
Where: Bubaque Island market, Bandim Market crafts section
Bolanha Woven Baskets
Tightly woven baskets and trays made from palm and pandanus leaves by women in rural villages around Bissau. Colorful patterns reflect local ethnic traditions.
Price: $5-25
Where: Bandim Market, roadside vendors near Quinhamel
Fulani Silver Earrings
Large twisted silver hooped earrings worn by Fula women, hand-crafted by silversmiths in Gabu and Bafatá. Distinctive West African aesthetic and excellent quality.
Price: $8-30
Where: Gabu Market, Bandim Market jewellery section
Malinke Leather Bags
Handstitched leather bags, sandals, and pouches produced by Malinke craftsmen in eastern Guinea Bissau. Natural dyes give earthy tones characteristic of Sahelian craftsmanship.
Price: $12-45
Where: Gabu Market, Farim Thursday Market
Kora and Balafon
Miniature and full-size koras (21-string harp-lutes) and balafons (wooden xylophones) crafted by Mandinka musicians. Playable instruments that also serve as unique decorative pieces.
Price: $20-150
Where: Bissau Velho artisan workshops, Bandim Market
Roasted Cashew Nuts
Guinea Bissau is one of the world's largest cashew exporters and locally roasted cashews make an ideal edible souvenir. Available salted, spiced, or plain.
Price: $2-10
Where: Bandim Market, street vendors throughout Bissau
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Bandim Market
The beating commercial heart of Bissau, sprawling across several city blocks. Sells everything from fresh fish and tropical produce to textiles, electronics, and traditional crafts.
Where: Bandim, Bissau (largest market in the city)
Hours: 6AM-7PM daily
Bissau Velho Craft Market
Smaller, more tourist-oriented market in the historic quarter offering curated crafts, woven cloth, carved masks, and jewellery from various ethnic groups. Easier for bargaining.
Where: Old Town waterfront, Bissau Velho
Hours: 8AM-6PM daily
Farim Thursday Market
One of West Africa's most authentic rural markets, drawing Fula, Mandinka, and Papel traders from across the region. Livestock, textiles, leatherwork, and local produce.
Where: Farim Town, Oio Region (150km north of Bissau)
Hours: 6AM-4PM Thursdays only
Gabu Central Market
Major market in Guinea Bissau's second city, dominated by Fula and Malinke traders. Excellent for silver jewellery, leather goods, and fabrics reflecting Islamic West African aesthetic.
Where: Gabu Town, Gabu Region
Hours: 7AM-6PM daily, busiest Sundays
Bubaque Island Market
Small island market selling fresh fish, tropical fruit, local crafts, and Bijago woven goods. Saturday morning sees the liveliest trade with inter-island boat arrivals.
Where: Bubaque Town, Bubaque Island, Bijagos
Hours: 7AM-2PM daily, Saturday busiest
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Avenida Francisco Mendes
Bissau's primary shopping street lined with small shops selling clothing, electronics, household items, and imported goods. Also home to money changers and phone repair stalls.
Best for: Everyday goods, SIM cards, money exchange
Bissau Velho (Old Town)
The atmospheric colonial quarter has small boutiques and craft workshops selling Guinean art, woven cloth, and traditional items. Best area for authentic handmade souvenirs.
Best for: Traditional crafts, artwork, Bijago souvenirs
Avenida Amilcar Cabral
Central avenue with pharmacies, bakeries, small clothing shops, and service businesses. Less touristy than Old Town but convenient for practical shopping needs.
Best for: Pharmacy, fresh bread, basic clothing
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Shopping Center Bissau
The closest Guinea Bissau has to a modern shopping centre, located on Avenida Francisco Mendes. Small number of shops selling clothing, electronics, and imported goods with air conditioning.
Hours: 9AM-8PM Monday-Saturday
Mercado de Santa Luzia
Covered market on Estrada de Santa Luzia offering a more organized shopping environment than Bandim Market. Good selection of household goods, fresh produce, and local snacks.
Hours: 7AM-7PM daily
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected for all non-food items in markets - start at 40-50% of the asking price and settle around 60-70%
Always greet vendors warmly in Kriol (Bom dia / Boa tarde) before beginning to negotiate
Don't show excessive enthusiasm for an item before negotiating or the price will rise
Walking away slowly often results in a better final offer being called after you
Prices at Bissau Velho craft stalls are more fixed than Bandim Market - negotiate gently
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Genuine antique masks and colonial-era artifacts may require export permits - ask vendors for documentation if unsure. Cannot export live wildlife or protected species.
Tax Refund: No VAT refund scheme exists in Guinea Bissau for tourists.
Duty Free: Visitors may import 200 cigarettes, 1 litre of spirits, and reasonable personal items duty-free into Guinea Bissau.
Shipping: International shipping from Bissau is unreliable. Carry all purchases as checked luggage. DHL operates from Bissau for small packages to Europe.