Equatorial Guinea is made up mainly of two parts: the volcanic island of Bioko, where Malabo, the long-time seat of government and main arrival point, looks across the Gulf of Guinea towards Cameroon, and Río Muni on the mainland, whose main city is Bata. Most visitors travel for work in the oil and gas sector, but the country also has rainforest in Monte Alén National Park, turtle-nesting beaches at Ureca in the south of Bioko and the 3,000-metre Pico Basilé above Malabo. It is the only country in Africa where Spanish is an official language. Equatorial Guinea is outside the EU's Roam Like at Home area, so European SIM cards are charged their operator's roaming rates.
Key facts for Equatorial Guinea
- EU roaming: not covered by Roam Like at Home
- Local networks: varies by plan
- Emergency numbers: police 666 404040 or 666 303030; ambulance 3101
- Embassies: in Malabo
Visa and arrival
Most visitors need a visa. British travellers can apply online, with processing in about 72 hours, then print the e-visa letter and receive the visa on arrival; it is also possible to apply in person at an embassy beforehand. At the airport, make sure the officer actually issues the visa and stamps your passport, because travellers whose passports were not properly processed have been delayed or threatened with detention. Your passport needs 6 months of validity after arrival, a yellow fever vaccination certificate is required, and you may be given a health questionnaire about recent travel to Ebola-affected countries.
ID checks and roadblocks
Always carry your passport or residence permit, or copies, wherever you go: checks have increased, and failing to show ID can lead to arrest. Police and military roadblocks are common, and you may be asked for documents and the reason for your trip. If someone in uniform asks for money, you can request a ticket listing the alleged offence, to be paid at a local court. Photographing government or military buildings and airports is illegal, and the security forces react quickly to any political protest, so avoid rallies and crowds. Business travellers should know that anyone involved in a commercial dispute can be prevented from leaving the country, sometimes for long periods, and can even end up in detention.
Malabo, Bata and getting around
Crime ranges from pickpocketing and mugging to carjacking and armed robbery, with higher risks in outlying parts of Malabo and Bata after dark. Avoid travelling by road at night. Passengers have been robbed and assaulted in taxis in both cities, mainly at night, so use pre-booked taxis or ride apps, ask your hotel to arrange transport and do not share a taxi with strangers. Most main roads on Bioko and in Río Muni are paved, but public transport on the mainland is very limited, and before booking a domestic flight it is worth checking the UK Air Safety List. Ships in the Gulf of Guinea have suffered armed attacks, so take great care at sea.
Health and money
Medical care is poor outside La Paz hospital in Malabo, emergency facilities are very limited and serious cases usually mean evacuation to Europe, so take out insurance that covers it. Malaria, dengue and Zika are present, schistosomiasis is a risk in fresh water, and Pico Basilé is high enough for altitude sickness.
Payments are in Central African CFA francs. Only a few large hotels take credit cards, cash machines in Malabo and Bata are few, and only some accept foreign cards, while local banks change euros, US dollars and British pounds. Bring enough cash in euros for your stay.
Getting connected
A travel eSIM installed before departure works from the moment you land at Malabo International Airport. Telcomia's regional and World plans do not include Equatorial Guinea, so choose a country plan, and add a separate plan if you continue to Cameroon or Gabon. Coverage is strongest in Malabo and Bata, so download maps before heading into rural areas. Keep your home SIM active for bank codes, with data roaming off.
Local SIM cards are sold in Malabo and Bata, and registration requires your passport.
Consular protection: who to call in Equatorial Guinea
- For the police, call 666 404040 or 666 303030; for an ambulance, 3101. Emergency lines and response are unreliable, so you may have to arrange your own transport to a clinic.
- Spain has an embassy in Malabo and a consulate-general in Bata, and France, Germany and the US also have embassies in Malabo, while the UK covers the country from its high commission in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The Telcomia app gives the address and phone number of your own country's mission.
- EU citizens whose country is not represented in Equatorial Guinea can go to any other EU embassy, such as Spain's, which must help them in the same way as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- Spanish is the main official language, alongside French and Portuguese, and the Telcomia app has emergency phrases in Spanish.
Equatorial Guinea travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about Equatorial Guinea
Is Equatorial Guinea covered by EU roaming?
No. Your operator applies its own roaming rates, because the country is outside Roam Like at Home.
Do I need a visa?
Most visitors do. Apply online or at an embassy, and check that your passport is stamped on arrival.
Which networks does a Telcomia eSIM use in Equatorial Guinea?
It depends on the plan, with 4G where available.
Can I use a regional or World plan?
No. Regional and World plans do not include Equatorial Guinea, so you need a plan for the country itself.
The short version
Get the e-visa letter and the yellow fever certificate before you fly, install a country plan at home, carry your passport everywhere, use pre-booked taxis, stay off the roads at night, bring euros in cash, and save 3101 and the police numbers.
See plans for Equatorial Guinea →
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