São Tomé is a concoction of untouched natural beauty with fine sandy beaches and crystal-clear water, dense tropical forests and a rich biodiversity. It´s the perfect destination for people in search of peace and quiet and adventure, thanks to its stunning lush green mountains, waterfalls, and abundant animal and plant life.
São Tomé’s tropical climate enables people to visit at any time of the year. The best time to make the most of this beautiful destination is the dry season, from June to September, when it´s cooler and rains less. The rainy season between October and May helps the vegetation thrive and turns the entire landscape even brighter and greener. Visitors can enjoy the serene beaches and go hiking in the midst of nature whatever the time of year.
Flying directly to São Tomé International Airport is the best way to get there, and the airport operates regular flights from several African and European cities. The airport is just a few kilometres away from São Tomé city centre, so getting to the island’s main attractions is no trouble at all. You can get around the island by taxi, rent a car, or even go exploring by bicycle if you fancy a more immersive experience.
São Tomé’s cuisine is a blend of African and Portuguese flavours. Fish and seafood are the key ingredients in the island’s food, like the traditional calulu. Try the mouthwatering local feijoada (bean stew). Cocoa and coffee, the island’s primary exports, add an exotic touch to desserts and drinks. Don’t forget to try the local banana cake and São Tomé chocolate.
São Tomé is a true sanctuary for biodiversity, with natural parks, tropical forests and nature reserves that are home to countless species of animals and plants. Nature lovers can explore Ôbo Natural Park, one of the island’s most iconic spots, and hike along the trails through the mountains, rivers and waterfalls, such as the famous São Nicolau Falls.
The history of this island is intrinsically linked to the Portuguese colonial age, which is plain to see in the architecture of its historic buildings and monuments. Visit the city of São Tomé and get to know the cathedral, the Fortress of São Sebastião, and the colourful local market. This destination is also famous for its former coffee and cocoa plantations, which you can visit and learn about how they shaped the region’s economy, providing a unique insight into the island’s colonial past and its historic significance.
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São Tomé and Príncipe is a small African island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the west coast of Africa and near the Equator. It consists of two main islands, São Tomé and Príncipe, of volcanic origin. It is known for its lush nature and enormous biodiversity, with tropical forests, volcanic peaks, dark sand beaches, and marine life. In 2012, Príncipe Island was classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and, with the inclusion of São Tomé in 2025, it became the first country in the world with its entire territory classified. The Lusophone heritage is prominent (Portuguese is the official language).
The Pestana Group operates two properties on the island. The Pestana São Tomé, a city hotel with a spa, is located on the beachfront in Ana Chaves Bay, about 1 km from the center and a few steps from the beach, with panoramic ocean views.
The island has an equatorial climate, hot and humid all year round, with average temperatures between approximately 22°C and 30°C. The best time is the dry season, from June to September, locally called "gravana," when there is less rain and milder temperatures – ideal for the beach, hiking, and outdoor activities. Outside of this period, the heat and humidity remain, with more frequent tropical downpours. Both the Pestana São Tomé and the Pestana Equador are open all year round.
You can arrive by air at São Tomé International Airport (TMS), a few kilometers from the center of the capital, with connections to African and European cities. Due to its proximity to the center, the transfer to the Pestana São Tomé, in Baía Ana Chaves, is quick. To reach the Pestana Equador, on Ilhéu das Rolas, you travel by road to Ponta Baleia, in the south of the island, and then by boat to the islet.
Highlights include Pico Cão Grande, a spectacular 663-meter volcanic peak in the Ôbo Natural Park (with trails, rivers, and waterfalls); the southern beaches with warm waters and a tropical setting; the historic cocoa and coffee plantations, which mark the landscape and colonial memory; and the colonial center of São Tomé city, with the Cathedral and the São Sebastião Fort, next to Ana Chaves Bay. From the Pestana Equador hotel, you can also visit the Equator line monument on Ilhéu das Rolas.
On the island, the most practical way is to rent a car (with or without a driver) or use taxis to explore the capital and the interior; there are also bicycles for short distances. The roads vary in condition, and a car with a local driver is recommended for more remote areas, such as the plantations and the south of the island. Access to Ilhéu das Rolas, where the Pestana Equador hotel is located, is exclusively by boat from Ponta Baleia.