Guinea travel guide
Guinea Tourism | Guinea Guide
You're Going to Love Guinea
Whether after jungle adventures with local flora and chimpanzees, a cultural trip to mix with the locals, or a relaxing vacation on a white sand beach, Guinea has what it takes to make it happen.
What to do in Guinea
1. Go to the Beach at Cape Verga
Located along the coast halfway between Conakry and the norther border, Cape Verga has some of the most stunning beaches for relaxation during the day, with bars and clubs making it a good area for nightlife as well.
2. Marvel at Nature in Fouta Djallon
Those looking to go hiking or trekking will love visiting the highland in Fouta Djallon. Characterized by a variety of terrains, see canyons, waterfalls, peaks and grassland. Hike are available for all ages and difficulties.
3. Visit the Mosque at Conakry
This mosque is the 4th largest in the world and a must see when visiting Conakry. While here, make sure to catch some live local music, visit the cultural center Petit Musee, and hop on a ferry to explore the forests in Ile de Kassa.
4. Visit the Chimpanzees in Bossou
Through the Environmental Research Institute of Bossou, visitors can see the chimpanzees of the Bossou area. They are the most studied for their displays of particularly sophisticated behavior, such as using tools for cracking a nutshell open.
5. Climb Mount Nimba
Sitting at an altitude of 5,700 ft, Mount Nimba is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is located at the border of three African countries: Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire and Liberia.
When to visit Guinea
Guinea is one of the countries that receives the most rain in West Africa, with most of it falling between July and August. Aside from the wet season, the Harmattan dusty winds also need to be taken into consideration, as their season falls between December and March. The best time to visit is just between the wet and windy seasons, in the months of October and November.
How to Get to Guinea
Entry requirements
Anyone visiting Guinea will need to apply for a visa from their local embassy prior to traveling, as visas are not available at the airport or the borders. Proof of yellow fever vaccination will also need to be shown upon arrival.
Plane
Nonstop flights are available to and from Conakry from other African destinations and Europe, with airlines such as Royal Air Maroc, Air France, Brussels Airlines, Turkish Airlines and Emirates.
Car
Driving into Guinea is possible from Sierra Leone through Pamelap heading towards Conakry, from Senegal through Labe or Diaoube going to Koundara, or from Kedougou going towards Mali in Guinea, though this latter one is only available during dry seasons. A road is available from Liberia going through Yekepa towards Bossou.
Popular airports in Guinea
Popular airlines serving Guinea
Where to stay in Guinea
When staying in Conakry, there are a lot of accommodation choices for various budgets, including a lot of upmarket options. Heading out of the city, budget and mid-range accommodations are the most common, such as guesthouses.
Where to stay in popular areas of Guinea
Most booked hotels in Guinea
How to Get Around Guinea
Public Transportation
When it comes to local transportation in Guinea, there are no buses or trains, but a shared taxi system called Taxi Brousse. They are usually Peugeot 505 cars and the drivers try to fit in as many passengers as possible.
Car
Whether driving or getting a taxi, traveling by car is the only way to get around the country. Taxis are very affordable, and it is common to rent one for a full day especially if going on long distance trips. If renting a car, please keep in mind that rental prices tend to be high and can get to about 1,500,000 GNF (160 USD) per day. More reasonable rates can be found by renting from a private vehicle owner. However, make sure they are recommended.
The Cost of Living in Guinea
Eating out in Guinea will cost around 6,000 GNF (0.65 USD) for an inexpensive meal, while a mid-range meal will cost around 90,000 GNF (10 USD) per person. Most merchants deal with cash only and credit cards are rarely accepted, making it necessary to exchange enough money for the duration of the trip. This can be done at the airport or prior to the trip.