1. Enjoy the "leve leve" living style
Visitors to São Tomé often comment that life here seems to take place at a slower pace — a speed known locally as leve, leve —, and the best way to experience this culture is to relax and slow down with it.
Put distance between you and the rest of the planet. While you are here, you can delight on gourmet chocolate, sip some of the world's best coffee, savor fresh fruits and great seafood and get away from anything that resembles hustle and bustle. It's time to join the cult of quiet.
2. Have a beach all to yourself!
The common feature of all the Saotomean beaches is that they are basically empty and are not crowded.
Thus, they are ideal for those who seek complete relaxation in a natural environment. You can rest on the beaches for hours at a stretch, without any disturbance. Occasionally, one might encounter the local children and enjoy a friendly chat with them. An excellent pastime in the beaches is watching the fishermen setting out to the sea with their fishing boats. If you like to have a beach for your self, this is the right place for you!
3. Meet and cach up with new friends
This island is very popular among bird watchers and biologists because of its many endemic species and the vast areas of unspoiled nature, ideal environment to easily spot exotic especies of birds, marine turtles, wale and dolphins.
Relative to their size, São Tomé and Príncipe are the islands with the greatest number of endemic birds globally. Given the remarkable number of endemics, São Tomé and Príncipe rank high on any African birder’s must-visit list.
In most parts of the world turtles use the cover of darkness for protection as they lay and hatch their eggs. But in the Sao Tomé, quiet beaches surrounded by impenetrable indigenous forest still allow them a degree of safety, even in daylight. They feel so unthreatened that they still come ashore to lay their eggs in warm sands.
4. The "Circuit des Arts"
Discover and meet the artists and the fine crafts professionals of Sao Tomé.
On São Tomé Islands, you'll find inspiration anywhere you cast your eyes. Using a variety of materials, talented artists fashion unique creations that will fulfill anyone's wishes. Plan a visit to artesan atelier, art galleries or even open air expositions and be sure to pick up that special item that will be a fond and unique reminder of your stay and the envy of many.
Artists and artisans from various artistic disciplines open their studio door, while giving you the opportunity to discover the natural beauty of our country.
Don't forget to stop at the permanent exhibition at the CACAU house where artist and artisan display pieces of artwork from their recent creations. You should also take time to visit the São Sebastião Fort, a 16th century well preserved Portuguese colonial fort, now used as a museum hosting a religious art collection and artifacts from the colonial times.
Campfire coffee in the wild
Wild about swimming
At one with nature in Sao Tome