GUINEA-BISSAU
Projeto Luta "Struggle"
My project will focus on the Struggle. The Struggle of the people, the Struggle of a nation where political and institutional fragility is increasingly taking hold. The Struggle of those named the weakest, the Struggle to smile in times of uncertainty. Here, I will tell the stories of Everyone. I will conduct various interviews through which I aim to share to All the Struggle behind the smile of the Guinean people.
Arriving in Bissau
Lisbon is the only city outside the African continent with direct flights to Bissau, operated by EuroAtlantic Airways and TAP Air Portugal.
The Google Flights is the search tool I regularly use to check ticket prices, purchasing them directly on the airlines' websites. With the FlightConnections, you can see all direct flights to the airport you want to fly to.
Health
Don't risk yourself or your (h)wealth. Step outside the usual. Sandra Monteiro Insurance Mediation offers the best options to help you save money on your travel insurance. They compare different insurance providers and choose the one that offers the best coverage at the best prices.
- Mandatory Vaccine: Yellow Fever.
- Recommended Vaccines: Hepatitis A and Typhoid Fever.
- First Aid Kit: antimalarial tablets, insect repellent, sunscreen , antidiarrheal medication, band-aids, disinfectant (hand sanitizer), headache tablets.
Visa
Portuguese citizens need a visa to enter Guinea-Bissau. If you plan to stay up to 45 days in the country, the visa costs around €60 (€70 for urgent processing). For stays of 90 or 180 days, the fees are respectively €90 (€110 urgent) or €180 (€210 urgent).
You can obtain your visa at the Embassy of Guinea-Bissau in Lisbon or at the Consulates located in Aveiro, Porto, and the Algarve. If you are not from Portugal, please contact the Embassy of Guinea-Bissau located in your country.
Weather
The average minimum temperatures in Guinea-Bissau range between 20°C (January) and 26°C (October), while the average maximum temperatures range between 30°C and 32°C. The climate is hot and humid, with two distinct seasons:
- Rainy Season (mid-May to mid-November): more frequent and intense rains in the months of July and August.
- Dry Season (between December and May): December and January are the coolest months.
Other Informations
- Money: the official currency is the CFA Franc. You can check the current exchange rate at XE.com. There are some ATMs with Visa in Bissau, but they don’t always work. So, consider bringing some cash with you.
- Internet: Holafly offers unlimited virtual internet packages (eSIM). If your phone is not compatible with eSIM, you can buy a local SIM card upon arrival in the country.
- Time Zone: GMT+0 (the same in winter, one hour behind in summer compared to mainland Portugal).
- Capital: Bissau.
- Typical Dishes: Caldo de Mancarra; Caldo de Tcheben; Cafriela; Calado de Citi; Futi.
Sustainable Tips
If you’re traveling to a country without potable water, you don’t need to keep relying on plastic bottles. There are bottles with filters that eliminate 99.99% of bacteria, viruses, and heavy metals: you save money and avoid waste. More Tips? Wash your clothes in an eco-friendly way during your trip and choose hemp backpacks, a durable and environmentally friendly material.
Sometimes, we really have to take the plane, but that doesn’t mean we can’t reduce the impact in other ways. Be sustainable and believe this: small choices make a big difference.
Did You Know That...
…there are no cinemas in the country?
…the country is one of the world’s largest cashew producers?
…it has over 20 ethnic groups, each with its own language and culture?
