Guinea-Bissau Taxis and Car Rental

Taxis are available within the cities of Guinea-Bissau, but the toca-toca or minibus is the most popular choice for intra-city travel. Taxis may be rented for further destinations, but sept-places (seven-seated Peugeot) and candongas (large vehicles that can carry up to 10-20 passengers) are also common. Of course, nothing beats the comfort of a private cab.

If you can find a local contact that rents cars in Guinea-Bissau, having a vehicle can be a convenient way to get around the city. Most of the time, though, this service is only available in the capital. A temporary driver's license must be obtained from the local authorities. The permit is fairly easy to get as long as you have a valid driver’s license from your home country.

Guinea-Bissau Water Taxis

The islands are accessible via riverboats and ferries. You can also take the cheap, but rather unsafe pirogues that leave from Porto de Bandim or Porto Pidjiguiti. Ferries that operate between Bissau and Bubaque are available on hand, though schedules are irregular and often depend on the tides. Other areas with ferry services include Bolama, Catio, Bafatá, and Catio.

Guinea-Bissau Trains and Buses

Guinea-Bissau does not have an established rail system, but the long-distance bus services are fairly reliable. In addition to toca-tocas that ply the city streets, buses serving long routes are available. The main bus station in Bissau can be found at the back of Banco Central dos Estados de África Ocidental (BCEAO), right on airport road. If you are heading to the Prabis or Biombo areas, however, you will need to go to the second bus station located in Estrada de Bor. The buses do not have fixed schedules and leave whenever they are full. Take note that most locals travel early in the morning, causing cars to fill up more quickly during rush hours.