Money

There are no international ATMs, and only a few high-end hotels accept credit cards, with two of them offering limited cashback, which means they run your credit card for a set amount and send it over to you in cash. The best solution is to bring cash in euros.

Bring euros-denominated cash, as the dollar is becoming increasingly scarce. Because the Dobra can only be used within the country, you must exchange euros for dobras upon arrival and dobras for euros upon departure.

Foreign exchange is usually done through unregistered brokers (the cheapest), banks, or hotels. Do not be thrown off if money changers approach you on the street in Sao Tomé city; this is a common practice that is completely legal. Simply agree on a rate, calculate the amount, and count your money. You must utilize the bank in Principe.

Although you can use the euro practically anyplace, you will almost always be given change in dobras and only dobras. Spending euros is also often more expensive, as an exchange fee is tacked on in some way. If coming for a week or more and going through Sao Tomé city, the ideal method is to carry 50 euro bills with you and exchange them for a week's worth of dobras at a street broker when you arrive. Keep reading to know more interesting things about Sao Tome and Principe.

Currency: Dobra (Db)