Plan a winter trip to Príncipe Island. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
Príncipe Island — TL;DR
Bom Bom Islet Resort is an eco-luxury resort and private islet in Príncipe, located off the coast of São Tomé and Príncipe; HBD Príncipe's renovation of the Bom Bom hotel is part of efforts to create a model of luxury tourism and agriculture that benefits local communities.
Príncipe Island at a glance
What are the best things to do in Príncipe Island? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Príncipe Island trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Príncipe Island? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Príncipe Island — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a…
When is the best time to visit Príncipe Island? June to September (dry season), for the best conditions to explore Príncipe Natural Park's rainforests and enjoy the on-site dive centre.
Where should I stay in Príncipe Island for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Príncipe Island? Guests typically fly into São Tomé, then take a short connecting flight to Príncipe Island; once there, a short transfer connects to Bom Bom Islet Resort, with guided excursions and the on-site dive centre providing access to Príncipe Natural Park…
Príncipe Island overview
June to September (dry season), for the best conditions to explore Príncipe Natural Park's rainforests and enjoy the on-site dive centre.
Guests typically fly into São Tomé, then take a short connecting flight to Príncipe Island; once there, a short transfer connects to Bom Bom Islet Resort, with guided excursions and the on-site dive centre providing access to Príncipe Natural Park and surrounding reefs.
São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (Db), pegged to the euro
Portuguese (official); Forro and Principense creoles are spoken locally.
GMT (UTC+0)
Príncipe Island's Bom Bom Resort continues to position itself as a model of community-benefiting eco-luxury following its full 2025 renovation under French designer Didier Lefort, with HBD Príncipe's organic garden and locally grown ingredients anchoring a distinctly African fine-dining identity; the resort's guided Príncipe Natural Park excursions and sea turtle conservation work reflect a broader movement toward conservation-integrated luxury tourism on Africa's Gulf of Guinea islands.
Where to eat, drink & do in Príncipe Island
Príncipe Island neighborhoods
Bom Bom hillside bungalows Thatched bungalows nestled into lush tropical gardens on the hillside.
Bom Bom beachfront bungalows Beachfront bungalows redesigned under French architect Didier Lefort's supervision.
Príncipe Natural Park A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve rainforest offering guided excursions to waterfalls and endemic bird life.
Practical info for Príncipe Island
Getting around in Príncipe Island? Guests typically fly into São Tomé, then take a short connecting flight to Príncipe Island; once there, a short transfer connects to Bom Bom Islet Resort, with guided excursions and the on-site dive centre providing access to Príncipe Natur
When to go in Príncipe Island? June to September (dry season), for the best conditions to explore Príncipe Natural Park's rainforests and enjoy the on-site dive centre.
What's changing now in Príncipe Island? Príncipe Island's Bom Bom Resort continues to position itself as a model of community-benefiting eco-luxury following its full 2025 renovation under French designer Didier Lefort, with HBD Príncipe's organic garden and locally grown ingredi
Seek out On-site dive centre in Príncipe Island? A dive centre offering access to Príncipe's reefs, a lesser-known complement to the resort's rainforest excursions.
Base yourself in Bom Bom hillside bungalows in Príncipe Island? Thatched bungalows nestled into lush tropical gardens on the hillside. Known for hillside eco-luxury bungalow privacy.
Frequently asked questions about Príncipe Island
What are the best things to do in Príncipe Island? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Príncipe Island trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Príncipe Island tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Príncipe Island? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Príncipe Island — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Príncipe Island? June to September (dry season), for the best conditions to explore Príncipe Natural Park's rainforests and enjoy the on-site dive centre.
Where should I stay in Príncipe Island for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Príncipe Island? Guests typically fly into São Tomé, then take a short connecting flight to Príncipe Island; once there, a short transfer connects to Bom Bom Islet Resort, with guided excursions and the on-site dive centre providing access to Príncipe Natural Park and surrounding reefs.