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Practical information Guinea-Bissau
Area : 13948 sq.mi - Population 1503182 hab.
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Practical information Guinea-Bissau
Area
13948 sq.mi
Flights
Duration of flight from London-Bissau via Lisbon (Portugal) and Dakar: 8 hrs. Bissau is 2,870 mi from London.
Jet Lag
Population
1503182 hab.
Airports
Bissau's Osvaldo Vieira international airport is located
7 miles away from the city. The taxi ride lasts about 30 minutes and costs around 30 FRF.
7 miles away from the city. The taxi ride lasts about 30 minutes and costs around 30 FRF.
Security
After several months of fighting, the country's situation seems to be stable. However, the biggest prudence is recommended to visitors, in cities but also in the countryside. The north of the country is highly inadvisable due to problems in Kasamance, and this also goes for the southern region, where troops are stationed on both sides of the border with Guinea. Security conditions are satisfactory in the Bijagos archipelago.
Languages
The official language is Portuguese, the vernacular language is Crioulo, a Creole based on Portuguese and African languages. Peul, Balante and Malinké languages are also spoken here.
Requirements
Passport valid for at least 6 months. A visa is essential. To get a visa at the consulate, bring 2 identity photos, and fill in two forms.
What you need to know:
since 25th August 2004, the passport price has been reduced by 60% by the Bissau-Guinean authorities. An 80% decrease in travel permits and safe-conducts also occured. The passport, which initially cost 25,000 CFA francs (around £30), is now issued for the cost of 10,000 CFA francs (around £12). The cost of its renewal decreased by half (from 10,000 to 5,000 CFA francs).
The cost of a stay permit went from 7,500 to 1,500 CFA francs (£9 to £2), and the cost of a safe-conduct from 2,500 to 500 FCFA (£3 to less than £1).
What you need to know:
since 25th August 2004, the passport price has been reduced by 60% by the Bissau-Guinean authorities. An 80% decrease in travel permits and safe-conducts also occured. The passport, which initially cost 25,000 CFA francs (around £30), is now issued for the cost of 10,000 CFA francs (around £12). The cost of its renewal decreased by half (from 10,000 to 5,000 CFA francs).
The cost of a stay permit went from 7,500 to 1,500 CFA francs (£9 to £2), and the cost of a safe-conduct from 2,500 to 500 FCFA (£3 to less than £1).
Religion
65% of the inhabitants are Animist, 30% are Muslim (Peuls and Malinkés) and 5% are Christian.
Currency
The currency is the CFA Franc (XOF), which consists of 100 Centimes. Small amounts of US Dollars are easier to exchange than other currencies. Credit cards are hardly ever accepted and travellers cheques very rarely. Bank opening hours: from 7:30am to 2:30pm, Monday to Friday.
Local transportation
By plane : private airline companies serve the city of Bissau or Bubaque island (Bijagos archipelago) leaving from Dakar. The price is very costly.
By boat: this means of transportation serves many cities, either by on the sea (Bissau to Bolama, Bubaque island) or by river ways (Bissau to Bafatá), with stops in small towns. The continental part of the country is striated between many rivers and rias, a very good means of communication.
Long-distance buses and taxis will bring you to your destination by road. The road network extends over 2,700 miles but only 8% of them are suitable for vehicles. During the rainy season, this means of transportation can be dangerous.
By boat: this means of transportation serves many cities, either by on the sea (Bissau to Bolama, Bubaque island) or by river ways (Bissau to Bafatá), with stops in small towns. The continental part of the country is striated between many rivers and rias, a very good means of communication.
Long-distance buses and taxis will bring you to your destination by road. The road network extends over 2,700 miles but only 8% of them are suitable for vehicles. During the rainy season, this means of transportation can be dangerous.
Health
Vaccination against yellow fever is required. Recommended vaccines are the ones against diphtheria, tetanus, poliomyelitis, hepatitises A and B, and meningitis. An anti-malaria treatment is strongly recommended, and anti-mosquito products and mosquito nets can complete this treatment. Do not swim in stagnant water and only drink sterilised or bottled water (with the cap taken off in front of you). Do not eat raw or half-cooked food (meat, fish, vegetables, fruits...) and take all precautions to avoid "traveller's dysentery". The country's sanitary conditions are very basic and health services are impoverished.
Electricity
Voltage is 220 V. An adaptor is not needed.
Flood of tourists
Taxes and tips
Telephone
To call Guinea-Bissau from the UK: dial 00 + 245 + personal phone number you wish to call.
To call the UK from Guinea-Bissau : dial 00 + 44 + personal phone number you wish to call (without the first 0).
To reach an operator, dial 114. It is difficult to receive international calls and phone services are very expensive.
To call the UK from Guinea-Bissau : dial 00 + 44 + personal phone number you wish to call (without the first 0).
To reach an operator, dial 114. It is difficult to receive international calls and phone services are very expensive.
Customer Service :
00 33 (0)8 99 700 207
(£1.35 the call and £0.34 per minute thereafter)
Easyvoyage group:
© 2001-2012 Easyvoyage - 71 rue Desnouettes - 75015 Paris France - Tel: 00 33 (0)1 44 25 94 00 - fax: 00 33 (0)1 44 25 94 01
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