Travel Vaccines and Advice for Guinea-Bissau

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for Guinea-Bissau. The PHAC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Guinea-Bissau: COVID-19, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, cholera, yellow fever, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required for entry to Guinea-Bissau. Ensure you are vaccinated before leaving for your trip.

Guinea-Bissau falls in what is known as the ‘meningitis belt’. This means from December to June, travellers and residents are at risk of contracting meningitis. A meningitis vaccine is recommended if travelling during this time frame.

See our vaccinations page to learn more about these infections and vaccines. Ready to protect yourself? Book your travel health appointment today by calling or schedule online now.

Yes, there are a handful of mosquito-borne diseases in Guinea-Bissau that you should be aware of before travelling.

• Yellow Fever – An often deadly virus, you must be vaccinated against the disease to enter the country.
• Malaria – While there is no malaria vaccine, antimalarial medication serves the same purpose. Speak with a travel health specialist to learn which type of antimalarial is right for you.
• Zika – This virus can cause birth defects. Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should avoid travel to the region. Mosquito repellents and netting are the best way to avoid the virus.

A visa is required for all business and tourism purposes. All Canadians are required to present a visa valid for 3 months beyond the expected departure date.

Guinea-Bissau Entry Requirements
Do I Need A…	For My Trip to Guinea-Bissau?
Passport
Tourist Visa
Business Visa
Vaccinations

Sources: Embassy of Guinea-Bissau and Canadian Travel and Tourism

Be sure to have your valid passport, visa, and return ticket (or ticket to another country) on-hand when exiting the country.

Visit the Canadian Travel and Tourism website for more information on entry and exit requirements.

Guinea-Bissau has a tropical climate and remains hot and humid all year. It’s wet season with heavy winds and rain is June to November. The dry season is then December to May with little temperature fluctuation. The temperatures can vary with altitude changes and your proximity to the coastline. Here is what you should expect in a few key areas of the country:

• Bissau – This city has a tropical savanna climate with more rain than most climates of its type. During its wet season, high humidity makes heat discomfort extreme. Early in the year the temperature can reach over 37 degrees. Make sure you pack to accommodate the heat.
• Cacheu – This area is low-lying coastal region with many rivers, swamps and rain forests. It has a hot tropical climate with the two seasons: wet and dry. There’s more rainfall the closer you are to the coast, with up to 300 centimetres.
• Bafatá – It’s the second largest city in Guinea-Bissau. It has the same average temperature range as the rest of the country with similar wet and dry seasons. Think around 26 to 29 degrees for temperatures and an average rainfall of 100 centimetres.

There are no travel warnings for Guinea-Bissau. But, there is a high crime rate and lack of law enforcement resources.

Travellers should be aware of their surroundings. Take extra precaution when visiting due to political turmoil. The main crimes include pick-pocketing, petty-theft, and minor assaults.

There are land mines scattered throughout the country. Exercise caution when driving at night and try to stay on well-traveled roads as much as possible.

If you plan on using taxis, inform the driver that you do not want more patrons picked up along the route. The taxis in Guinea-Bissau are like a bus service where each passenger pays for a seat and not the route. There is also an increase in narcotics trafficking, which has led to the increase in criminal activity.

Penalties for drug possessing, using, or trafficking are severe with the increase in drug-related crimes. Anyone convicted can expect both a heavy fine and a long jail sentence.

Made up of an archipelago of 15 main islands, the Bijagós Islands of Guinea-Bissau are about 50 kilometres off the coast. They are all covered with lush vegetation and have sandy beaches. Each island has different features that make them unique. There are many other possibilities of camping and other ecotourism.

Many islands have French-owned fishing lodges. For example, Keré is a tiny island between Caravela and Carache. While no one lives on the island, there’s a single hotel and fishing trips are the feature experience.

On the island of Orango it’s possible to see freshwater hippos. It has the largest population of marine hippos and there are boat trips available to see them up close. On some islands there are even turtle nesting grounds. João Vieira-Poilão Islands National Park has the best spots for seeing turtles. You’re able to see rare green turtles, hawksbill, leatherback, and olive ridley turtles.

Here are some essential items to consider for your trip to Guinea-Bissau:

• Small Umbrella/Raincoat — If you’re travelling during the wet season bring rain gear. You want it to be both comfortable and easy for you to carry around with you all day.
• Swim Suit — Depending on where you’re staying, you may need a swim suit. If you’re staying in one of the coastal cities you’ll have access to beautiful tourist free beaches.
• Hat/Sunscreen — With its tropical climate, the weather can often put a damper on your plans. Make sure you pack a hat to help keep the sun off your face and keep you cool, as well as sunscreen to protect your skin. It’s the little things that can make the regularly hot and humid temperatures more bearable and make your vacation enjoyable.

Canada has no resident office located in Guinea-Bissau. The embassy in Senegal handles all services for Canadians travelling to this country.

Canadian Embassy to Senegal
Rue Galliéni x Amadou Cissé Dia
Dakar, Senegal
Tel.: +221 33 889 4749

Stay safe abroad with Passport Health. Call or book online now and start travelling safely today!