Published: July 9, 2025
This report is intended to supplement the U.S. Department of State São Tomé & Príncipe Travel Advisory and São Tomé & Príncipe Country Information Page.
Embassy & Consulate Contact Information
There is no U.S. Embassy in São Tomé & Príncipe. The U.S. Embassy in Luanda Angola (Tel: +(244) 222-64-1000) oversees security for U.S. interests in São Tomé & Príncipe. The Embassy is located at Rua Presidente Houari Boumedienne, 32 Miramar, Luanda, Angola C.P. 6468 . There are currently direct flights between Luanda and São Tomé three days per week on TAAG Airlines.
OSAC Country Chapter(s)
São Tomé & Príncipe does not have an OSAC Country Chapter.
Contact OSAC’s Africa team with any questions.
São Tomé & Príncipe Travel Advisory
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory at the date of this report’s publication assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions in São Tomé & Príncipe.
Crime
The U.S. Department of State has assessed São Tomé as being a LOW-threat location for crime directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Crime “C” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for São Tomé & Príncipe.
The crime emergency lines in São Tomé & Príncipe are 2222222 or 113.
Violent crime directed toward expatriates or foreign tourists is infrequent. The most common crime expatriates report is theft of unaccompanied items. Crimes such as burglary, pickpocketing, and armed home invasion have occurred on the islands, particularly around the winter holidays. Some local gangs engage in robberies, hold-ups, and thefts, but not organized crime. Violent crime is rare, though there are isolated incidents of violence in the commission of robberies.
Kidnapping Threat
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Kidnapping “K” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for São Tomé & Príncipe.
There have been no recent high-profile kidnappings in São Tomé & Príncipe. Westerners have not historically been subject to kidnappings within the country.
Terrorism
The U.S. Department of State has assessed São Tomé as being a LOW-threat location for terrorism directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Terrorism “T” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for São Tomé & Príncipe.
São Tomé & Príncipe is an island nation with limited available travel, low immigration, and no history of transnational terrorism.
Political Violence and Civil Unrest
The U.S. Department of State has assessed São Tomé as being a LOW-threat location for political violence directed at or affecting official U.S. government interests.
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Civil Unrest “U” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for São Tomé & Príncipe. Civil unrest can develop quickly without prior notice, often interrupting logistics and services. Avoid demonstration activity, as even those planned to remain peaceful have the potential to turn violent.
Elections/Political Stability
São Tomé & Príncipe is a relatively peaceful democracy. It was a colony under Portugal and had a peaceful transition to independence. Over the last 15 years, there have been coup attempts; one in 2003 resulted in a special military unit disbanding. In 2018, an attempted coup against then Prime Minister Trovoada and President Carvalho ended without incident. Despite the coup attempts, the country has an overall history of peaceful transition of power. In the most recent Presidential elections, in 2016, there was no notable violence. On November 25, 2022, a group of civilians allegedly attempted a coup by entering an army barracks. They were all arrested and four died in custody, while the Public Prosecutor charged the only surviving member of the group with the crime of violently altering the rule of law in a qualified form. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Court of First Instance.
The general elections (Presidential, Legislative, Regional, and Local) will be held in the second semester of 2026, likely between August and October.
Protests & Demonstrations
When there is protest activity in the capital, it generally occurs in the Riboque neighborhood near the Vitoria F.C. soccer stadium, near government buildings, and at Independence Square. Local protesters may block roads. Common complaints include a lack of running water or electricity. After the arrival of police, prolonged discussions between residents and police sometimes involves local politicians as mediators.
On July 5, 2025, over 300 health professionals, including nursing assistants, stretcher bearers, drivers, archivists, and others employed at Ayres de Menezes Central Hospital, staged a demonstration at the Health Ministry. They were protesting the non-payment of their salaries for the past three years.
In May 2025, over 200 individuals protested the arrest of lawyer Miques João Bonfim. João Bonfim, who is facing allegations of sexual misconduct, is the legal representative of the sole survivor of the November 25, 2022, incident at the military barracks. A journalist covering the demonstration was subsequently suspended by the National Television network.
In December 2018, chronic power and water outages led to demonstrations and roadblocks on São Tomé, with the effect of cutting off parts of the island to the capital for several hours at a time. Local officials were able to defuse the situation, allowing fuel trucks to pass the roadblocks and deliver the diesel necessary to generate electricity for the island. Loadshedding of electricity and shortages of fuel remain an issue.
Anti-U.S./Anti-Western Sentiment
Most residents in São Tomé & Príncipe have a favorable view of U.S. nationals and of the United States.
Law Enforcement
The nationwide emergency number is 2222222. The National Police can also be reached at 113. The emergency fire services number is 112.
The public security police and judicial police maintain internal security. The army and coast guard are responsible for external security. The public security police and the military each report to the Ministry of Defense and Internal Affairs. The judicial police report to the Ministry of Justice, Public Administration, and Human Rights. Civilian authorities maintain effective control over the security forces. Members of the security forces are not known to commit abuses.
Police Response
In the event of an emergency, the local police are typically the first point of contact. However, police responses are slow, and investigations are seldom opened. Prosecutions are very slow, if they are even initiated. The National Police are responsible for traffic enforcement, security at major events, ensuring order, public tranquility, safety and the protection of people and property, and to prevent crime in general. The Judiciary Police are responsible for criminal investigations. The police and security forces often lack communications equipment, weapons and ammunition, and vehicles and gasoline, all of which limit their ability to respond to routine and emergency calls. Any response is limited generally to writing a report or taking statements.
Incidents of police or security force harassment or detention of foreigners are rare. Foreigners who become victims of police harassment should be polite and cooperative.
Travelers with Special Considerations
For specific traveler concerns in São Tomé & Príncipe, review the local laws and circumstances on the Department of State’s Country Information Page.
Rule of Law, Arbitrary Detention, Official Harassment, Corruption, & Transparency
The U.S. Department of State has not included a Risk of Wrongful Detention “D” Indicator on the Travel Advisory for São Tomé & Príncipe.
The law provides criminal penalties for conviction of official corruption, but the government generally does not implement the law effectively.
Officials sometimes engage in corrupt practices with impunity. The government continues several investigations of corruption allegations against former high-ranking officials, although none has been tried. The accused are kept under house arrest. Many citizens view the police as ineffective and corrupt, and fear retaliation if they report corrupt police.
Cybersecurity
There are no significant cybersecurity concerns for travelers to São Tomé & Príncipe.
Import/Export Restrictions
There is no prohibition or restrictions on imports. However, some products need import authorization from the competent authority. For instance, a chainsaw needs authorization from the Forestry Directorate, and the Poultry Directorate must authorize the import of pork.
The importation and use of satellite phones requires coordination with the Sao Tomean Regulation Authority for Communication.
A country-specific listing of items/goods prohibited from being exported to the country or that are otherwise restricted is available from the U.S. International Trade Agency website.
Additional resources and reports can be found in the OSAC Traveler Toolkit.
