Healthcare in Guinea-Bissau is rudimentary and limited to the capital, Bissau. It is expressly pointed out that medical treatments are generally only available against payment in advance. Taking out travel health insurance with repatriation insurance is therefore strongly recommended. An individual first-aid kit should be taken with you and protected according to the temperatures on the way. Check directoryaah for more information.
Notes vaccinations
[1] A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers. According to the WHO, the country has yellow fever infection areas. Therefore, regardless of country regulations, vaccination is strongly recommended for all travelers. [2] A vaccination certificate against cholera is not an entry requirement. However, cholera occurs sporadically (Bissau, Cacheu region, Gabu, Biombo and Oio). Careful food and drinking water hygiene measures should therefore always be carried out. Since the effectiveness of the vaccination is disputed, it is advisable to seek medical advice in good time before starting the journey. [3] Year-round malaria protection nationwide, including cities. The predominant more dangerous form Plasmodium falciparum (90%) is said to be resistant to chloroquine. Recommendation: Mosquito repellent and prevention through medication. [4] Nationally, there is a high risk of intestinal infections. Careful drinking water and food hygiene must therefore be ensured. Water should generally either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before it is used for drinking, brushing teeth and making ice cubes, or it should be bought packaged. When buying packaged water, you should make sure that the original packaging has not been opened. Unpasteurized milk should be boiled. Only mix dry and canned milk with sterile water. Dairy products made from unboiled milk should not be consumed. Meat and fish dishes should only be well cooked and served hot. Eating raw salads and mayonnaise should be avoided. Vegetables should be boiled and fruits should be peeled. Warnings are given against eating and buying food from cheap street restaurants and markets.
Other risks
Schistosomiasis pathogens are found in some ponds and rivers, so swimming or wading in inland waterways should be avoided. Well-maintained swimming pools with chlorinated water are harmless. Filariasis caused by insects occurs nationwide. Travelers reduce the risk of transmission if they use an effective insect repellent. Hepatitis A is widespread, hepatitis B is highly endemic. A vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended, for long-term stays also against hepatitis B.HIV/AIDS is widespread and a great danger for everyone who takes the risk of infection: Unprotected sexual contacts, unclean syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a significant health risk. Epidemic outbreaks of meningococcal meningitis can occur from December to May. To protect yourself, you should get vaccinated and avoid large crowds. There is a low risk of infection for sleeping sickness. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. rabies occurs. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. If you are bitten, get medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. should be vaccinated and avoid large crowds. There is a low risk of infection for sleeping sickness. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. rabies occurs. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. If you are bitten, get medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. should be vaccinated and avoid large crowds. There is a low risk of infection for sleeping sickness. Careful mosquito protection measures are recommended. rabies occurs. Carriers include dogs, cats, forest animals and bats. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. If you are bitten, get medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. If you are bitten, get medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide. Vaccination is recommended for backpackers, children, occupational risk groups and for longer stays. If you are bitten, get medical attention as soon as possible. Tick bite fever occurs nationwide.
Money
Currency
1 CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc* = 100 centimes. Currency code: CFA Fr, XOF (ISO code). Banknotes are in denominations of 10,000, 5000, 2000, 1000 CFA Fr. Coins come in denominations of 500, 200, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1 CFA Fr. Note: [*] The CFA Franc (XOF) is issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest ( BCEAO, State Bank of West African States) and used by the 8 members of the African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo. The Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (BEAC, CFA Franc (XAF) issued by the State Bank of Central African States is not legal tender in Guinea-Bissau. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.
Credit cards
Only accepted by larger hotels. Details from the issuer of the relevant credit card.
ATMs
Bank cards With the credit card and pin number, money can be withdrawn at some ATMs in Bissau. To be on the safe side, travelers should always have an alternative source of money such as cash. Further information from banks and credit institutes. Attention: Travelers who want to pay with their bank customer card abroad and withdraw money should find out from their bank about the possibility of using their card before starting their journey.
Travelers cheques
Travelers checks are generally not accepted in Guinea-Bissau.
Bank opening hours
Mon-Fri 08.00-12.00 and 15.00-18.00 (July-October: Mon-Fri 07.30-14.30).
Foreign exchange regulations
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. There are no import restrictions for foreign currencies, declaration obligation. The export is limited to the amount declared upon entry.
Currency Exchange
US dollars are recommended as they are the easiest to exchange. If the national currency is exchanged back, exchange rate losses must be taken into account.
