Travel Summary
- A presidential election took place on 28 June 2009 and a new President was sworn in in September. While the country remains calm for the moment, there are significant political tensions. If you are in Guinea-Bissau you should take precautions and closely monitor developments through the local media. You should avoid demonstrations or rallies, which have the potential to become violent.
- There is no British Embassy in Guinea-Bissau. The British Ambassador to Guinea-Bissau resides in Dakar, Senegal. However, the British Honorary Consul, Mr Jan Van Maanen, can offer limited consular assistance. See the General (Representation in Guinea-Bissau) section of this advice for more details.
- If you are thinking of travelling to Guinea-Bissau by road you should note that we advise against all road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda (an area of Senegal to the northwest of Guinea-Bissau) except on the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skirring, which is often used by groups of tourists during daylight hours. See the FCO Travel Advice for Senegal for more details.
- Very few British nationals visit Guinea-Bissau each year. We are not aware of any British nationals who required consular assistance in Guinea-Bissau in 2008 but document and cash theft has been experienced.
- There is a general threat from terrorism in Guinea-Bissau. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
- We recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and the “Travel Insurance” page of our website.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is a general threat from terrorism in Guinea-Bissau. Attacks cannot be ruled out and could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.For more general information see the “Terrorism Abroad” page of our website.
Crime
Crime rates in Guinea-Bissau are not high but Guinea-Bissau is an extremely poor country in a severe economic crisis. You should take precautions. Do not carry valuables in public. For more general information please see the “Victims of Crime Abroad” page on our website
Political Situation
Guinea-Bissau has a history of political instability. A presidential election took place on 28 June 2009. This follows the assassination of the President on 2 March 2009 and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces on 1 March 2009. On 5 June 2009 a candidate for the presidential election, the former interior minister, was also killed. A government communiqué states that he was killed as he resisted arrest for charges related to planning a coup d'etat. While the country remains generally calm for the moment, these incidents illustrate the significant political tensions and fragility which persist in Guinea-Bissau.
You should closely monitor daily developments through the local media. Political rallies should be avoided and if a demonstration or disturbance is taking place, you should leave the area as quickly and safely as possible.
Guinea-Bissau Country Profile
Local Travel
In 2006 there were clashes between factions of Senegalese separatist groups and the Bissau-Guinean armed forces in areas near the border with Senegal in the northwest of Guinea-Bissau. Land mines remain a problem in areas of Guinea-Bissau and de-mining operations are continuing. The capital city of Bissau was declared “mine-free” in June 2006 by the national de-mining centre (CAAMI), which is responsible for de-mining operations and maintains lists of known minefields. Outside of the capital city, you should take local advice and stick to paved roads.
If you are thinking of travelling to Guinea-Bissau by road should note that the Casamance region of south-western Senegal (an area between the southern border of Gambia and the north-western border of Guinea-Bissau) remains affected by incidents involving presumed separatist groups and by incidents of banditry. We advise against all road travel in the Casamance region to the west of Kolda other than on the main road from Ziguinchor to Cap Skirring, which is often used by groups of tourists during daylight hours. If you travel on this road, we advise that you do so only during daylight hours and that you monitor the local security situation before travelling. You should read the Travel Advice for Senegal for more details.
Road Travel
Traffic is generally light in Guinea-Bissau but road conditions (including in the capital) and driving standards are poor. Because of unseen hazards, you should avoid road travel at night and you should take suitable precautions in the rainy season (June to October) when road and driving conditions can become particularly poor. For more general information see Driving abroad.
Air Travel
You should reconfirm onward/return flights 72 hours in advance.
The European Commission has published a list of air carriers that are subject to an operating ban or restrictions within the European Union. You should check the following link to see whether this will affect your travel - European Commission Transport - Air.
For more general information see Airline security.
Local laws and customs
You should not become involved with drugs of any kind. There are heavy penalties for those convicted. Local prison conditions are harsh. You should carry ID (passport or residence permit) at all times, particularly when driving or taking a taxi, when the likelihood of having to produce it is high. We are not aware of any laws against homosexuality in Guinea-Bissau. It is generally tolerated by society if couples are discreet. For more general information for different types of travellers see the Your trip pages of our website.
Entry requirements
Visas
British nationals require a visa to enter Guinea‑Bissau. Guinea‑Bissau does not have an Embassy in London. Visitors can contact the Guinea‑Bissau Embassy in Paris at 94 Rue St Lazare (tel: +33 9 452 61851). Guinea‑Bissau also has Embassies in neighbouring countries, including Senegal, which issue visas.
Passport validity
We recommend that your passport has at least six months validity when you apply for a visa to enter Guinea-Bissau.
Travelling with children
Single parents or other adults travelling alone with children should be aware that some countries require documentary evidence of parental responsibility before allowing lone parents to enter the country or, in some cases, before permitting the children to leave the country. For further information please contact the Guinea-Bissau Embassy in Paris at 94 Rue St Lazare (tel: +33 9 452 61851).
Health
Medical facilities in Guinea‑Bissau are extremely limited.
Malaria and other tropical diseases are common, especially during the rainy season (July-October).
Water is often unsafe. In June 2008 cholera broke out in Tombali province. It has since spread to other areas, including Bissau, resulting in over 200 fatalities. If you take sensible precautions you are unlikely to be affected. You should take particular care with uncooked foods and you should drink or use only boiled or bottled water and avoid ice in drinks. If you suffer from diarrhoea during a visit to Guinea-Bissau you should seek immediate medical attention.
In the 2008 Report on the Global AIDS Epidemic the UNAIDS/WHO Working Group estimated that around 15,000 adults aged 15 or over in Guinea Bissau were living with HIV; the prevalence rate was estimated at around 1.8% of the adult population. This compares to the prevalence rate in adults in the UK of around 0.2%. You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. For more general information on how to do this see HIV and AIDS.
You should seek medical advice before travelling to Guinea Bissau and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date. For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention you should visit the websites of NaTHNaC and NHS Scotland's Fit For Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.
For more general health information see Travel health and Swine Flu pages.
General
Insurance
We recommend that you take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance. This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, accidents, cancelled flights and stolen cash, credit cards, passport and luggage. 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 overseas then this is How we can help.
Consular 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 in Guinea-Bissau
There is no British Embassy in Guinea-Bissau. The British Honorary Consul, Jan van Maanen, is the first contact for consular issues. The nearest British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal does not issue passports. However, it will accept applications, and forward them to the High Commission in The Gambia for issue, but the process can take up to five weeks. If applicants are prepared to pay the cost of a courier, the process can be completed in two weeks or less.
Money
Guinea-Bissau is very much a cash economy. Credit cards are rarely used and ATM facilities are sparse. The CFA Franc is the local currency.
Contact Details
The British Embassy in Dakar is responsible for Britain’s relations with Guinea-Bissau. There is a British Honorary Consul in Bissau, Mr Jan van Maanen, who can provide only limited assistance; (tel +245 3201224/+245 6622772/+ 245 7201234). British nationals are advised to register with the Honorary Consul on arrival in Bissau.
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