Independence Square, Malabo

Entry requirements vary by passport. Check the requirements for your specific passport on the Equatorial Guinea page at Yoogo.

The official currency is the Central African CFA franc (XAF), which is pegged to the euro. Equatorial Guinea operates predominantly as a cash economy: credit cards are rarely accepted outside a handful of large hotels, and ATMs are available in Malabo and Bata but are often unreliable, so it is advisable to arrive with sufficient cash.

Most visits to Malabo and Bata pass without serious incident when travellers take standard precautions such as avoiding displays of valuables and travelling in groups after dark. Road conditions outside the two main cities can be poor, and emergency services are limited across much of the country.

Shared taxis are the most practical option within Malabo and Bata, with fares typically around 500 XAF per ride on established routes. Domestic flights connect the two cities several times a week, and passenger ferries run between them as well as to Douala in Cameroon. Outside the main cities, road quality varies considerably and four-wheel-drive vehicles are often necessary.

The dry seasons, broadly December to February and June to August, offer the most comfortable travel conditions with lower rainfall. The wet seasons from March to May and September to November can make road travel more challenging, particularly in the interior of Rio Muni, though the landscapes are lushest during this period.

Equatorial Guinea has three official languages: Spanish, French, and Portuguese, with Spanish being the most widely spoken, particularly in urban areas and for official purposes. A number of Bantu languages, including Fang on the mainland and Bubi on Bioko Island, are spoken by significant portions of the population. English is not widely understood outside international business circles.

Vaccination against yellow fever is required for entry if you are arriving from a country where the disease is endemic, and is broadly recommended for all travellers. Malaria is present throughout the country year-round, so antimalarial medication is advised regardless of itinerary. Hepatitis A, typhoid, and routine vaccinations are also commonly recommended; consult a travel health clinic well before departure.

Tipping is not a deeply embedded formal custom in Equatorial Guinea, though it is welcomed in restaurants, by hotel staff, and for guides when service has been good. A modest gesture of around 5 to 10 per cent of a restaurant bill or a small cash tip for a guide is appropriate and appreciated. In rural areas and local eateries, tipping is less common.