What actually happens to travelers here.
Drink bottled or properly treated water. Skip ice at budget venues and street vendors. Brush your teeth with bottled water where tap is questionable.
Verify requirements at your destination's embassy. Vaccination must be administered 10+ days before travel and is documented on a yellow International Certificate of Vaccination.
Routine care is available in major cities; complex trauma, cardiac, or surgery typically requires air evacuation to a regional hub. Travel insurance with $250K+ evacuation coverage is essential.
The system.
System: Extremely limited public healthcare. Hospital Nacional Simao Mendes in Bissau is the main facility but suffers chronic shortages of staff, equipment, and medication. Rural areas have minimal health posts. Most serious cases require evacuation to Dakar, Senegal or Lisbon, Portugal.
Quality: ★☆☆☆☆ Very Limited
Healthcare quality is very poor. Facilities lack basic supplies and reliable electricity. Portuguese is the official language but many staff speak only Crioulo. Foreign patients should seek evacuation for anything beyond basic treatment.
Guinea-Bissau is not a medical tourism destination. Patients requiring specialist care are evacuated to Dakar (Senegal), Lisbon (Portugal), or other European capitals.
Where to actually go.
Main national hospital. Very basic facilities. Portuguese and Crioulo spoken. Limited emergency capability.
Private clinic with slightly better standards. Portuguese spoken. Best option for non-emergency care in the capital.
Government facility. Limited English. Bring a translator app.
Finding what you need.
Access: Limited
Hours: Pharmacies in Bissau open 8am-6pm weekdays, 8am-1pm Saturday. Virtually no pharmacies outside the capital.
Prescription rules: Prescription enforcement is minimal. Availability is the main barrier — most medications are simply unavailable. Bring all needed medications with documentation in Portuguese if possible.
Very few pharmacies exist, almost all in Bissau. Medication supply is unreliable and counterfeit drugs are a serious concern. Bring all necessary medications from home. Portuguese is needed for pharmacy interactions.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- oral rehydration salts
- chloroquine
- basic antibiotics
- antiseptic cream
Useful pharmacy phrases
- I need headache medicine: Preciso de medicamento para dor de cabeça
- I have a stomachache: Tenho dor de estômago
- I have allergies: Tenho alergias
- Where is the nearest pharmacy?: Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
- I need a doctor: Preciso de um médico
Chains you'll see
- Farmácia Central — Green cross sign (Bissau city center)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Paracetamol
Most commonly available analgesic - ibuprofen → Ibuprofeno
Available at larger pharmacies in Bissau - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Loperamida
May not be consistently available — bring from home
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications, ideally translated into Portuguese. Keep medications in original labeled packaging. Bring generous extra supplies as replacements are unavailable.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Opioids
Carry a doctor's letter in Portuguese. Keep medications in original packaging.
Bring documentation from prescribing physician.
If something breaks.
Availability: Extremely limited. Only basic dental care available in Bissau.
Cost range: $10-50 for basic procedures
Dental facilities are very basic. There are very few trained dentists in the country. Bring dental emergency supplies.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $50-100/week
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is absolutely essential. Evacuation to Dakar or Lisbon can cost $30,000-100,000+. Ensure your policy covers conflict zones and has a 24-hour assistance line.
Filing a claim
Obtain itemized receipts in Portuguese from any provider. Most facilities require cash payment upfront. Save all documentation for reimbursement claims with your insurer. Contact your insurance assistance line before seeking care if possible.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $10-30 |
| ER visit | $20-60 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $30-80 |
| Ambulance | $20-50 (if available) |
Costs are low but facilities are extremely basic. Cash payment expected. Private clinics charge more but offer marginally better care.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Dakar, Senegal
Secondary destination: Lisbon, Portugal
Typical cost band: $30,000-100,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, International SOS, MedJet
Medical evacuation is essential for any serious condition. Ensure insurance covers air ambulance. Evacuation to Dakar is fastest; Lisbon offers the best Portuguese-speaking care.
What to get done before you fly.
Required
- Yellow Fever
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Meningococcal
- Rabies
- Malaria prophylaxis
- Routine vaccinations
Yellow fever vaccination is required for all travelers. Malaria is endemic throughout the country — prophylaxis is essential. Cholera outbreaks occur periodically.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Not safe — bottled only — Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Guinea-Bissau. Use only bottled or purified water for drinking and brushing teeth. Avoid ice unless you know it was made from purified water. Boil or treat water if bottled water is unavailable.
Food safety
Eat only thoroughly cooked food served hot. Avoid raw salads, unpeeled fruits, and street food unless freshly prepared. Seafood and rice dishes from reputable restaurants are safer options. Be cautious with dairy products.
In crisis abroad.
English / international line: International Association for Suicide Prevention: https://www.iasp.info/resources/Crisis_Centres/
English-speaking therapists: No English-speaking therapists available locally
Mental health services are virtually nonexistent. There are very few trained mental health professionals in the country. Consider telehealth services or evacuation if needed.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility infrastructure is extremely limited throughout Guinea-Bissau.
Hospital accessibility: Hospitals lack wheelchair ramps and accessible facilities.
Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Roads are unpaved and difficult to navigate.
Travelers with mobility needs should arrange private transport and consider whether the infrastructure can support their requirements before visiting.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No mask requirements in place.
Testing availability: Very limited COVID testing availability. Main hospitals in Bissau may offer testing.
Healthcare capacity for COVID treatment is extremely limited.
Guinea-Bissau travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- WHO International Travel and Health
- UK Foreign Office Travel Advice
- US State Department