Summary
The remote and delightful tropical islands of Sao Tome and Principe are the perfect destination for adventurous honeymooners.
Highlights
- Arrive and stay in a relaxing beach resort.
- Explore the remote and romantic south of Sao Tome.
- Feel like filmstars at the fantastic Bom Bom Principe.
The Details
Your honeymoon in Sao Tome and Principe is sure to be an amazing adventure full of excitement, absolutely gorgeous places to stay and more than a little romance. You’ll stay in a mix of boutique and luxurious accommodation throughout your honeymoon.
We’ll talk through with you the sort of honeymoon you’d like to have – your ideal places to stay, the pace that’s right for you – the activites and guided time you’d like to include, and we’ll make a bespoke itinerary just for you.
These remote and delightful tropical islands are just the place to relax and get away from it all after the excitement of your wedding. The national slogan is ‘leve-leve’ which translates as ‘slow-slow’, making the friendly islands of Sao Tome and Principe the perfect destination for your honeymoon adventure.
Our example honeymoon itinerary here starts in Lisbon, with a stay in the boutique Solar do Castelo hotel, right next to romantic Castelo do Sao Jorge. We’ve included two nights here so that you have time to see the pretty city before your flight across Africa to the equatorial islands of Sao Tome and Principe.
You’ll probably find that the first question people ask when they hear you’re off to Sao Tome is “where?”. These secret islands are well and truly off the beaten track and virtually untouched by the rapid changes found elsewhere in the world. With tourism still in its infancy, you’ll discover remote islands lost in time.
Settle in and enjoy your position on the coast, at Club Santana. Our guides will show you the east coast with a guided day driving along the coastal road to see Sao Tome’s most famous blowhole Boca d’Inferno and one of the most beautiful white and sandy beaches of Sao Tome, Sete Ondas. You’ll discover the remote Lagoa Amelia crater on a guided walk in the primary rainforest.
Crossing to Principe on a tiny turboprop plane, look out of the windows to gaze at the Jurassic Park-style scenery. Principe is truly unspoiled, the majority of the island being of towering volcanic leaks clad in verdant primary rainforest. The northern coast is bejewelled with golden beaches that few people get to see.
On arrival on Principe, stay in a luxury estate house within the rainforest. Take a guided walk to a remote waterfall to swim in the plunge pool. Explore the northern communities with a guide.
The climax of your stay will surely be your time at Bom Bom resort. Bom Bom is blessed with three private beaches, one of which is situated on Bom Bom islet – to where you can walk across a wooden bridge, just above the warm equatorial waters.
In the evenings, stunning sunsets will take your breath away, and after your time here at these remote and charming islands, you may never want to leave!
Suggested Itinerary
This honeymoon plan works well starting on a Monday or a Friday, however we can tailor to fit any timetable you might have in mind. Today you'll fly from the UK to Lisbon. We'll transfer you to your boutique hotel the lovely Solar do Castelo, situated in the narrow streets of Lisbon's Alfama district, and right next to the famous landmark of the Castelo de São Jorge. Your stay is on a bed and breakfast basis - tonight, there are plenty of restaurant options within Alfama.
Your day is free to relax and explore romantic Lisbon. The Castelo de São Jorge is well-worth setting aside a morning or afternoon to see. The castle walls are surprisingly intact and great to walk around for views of the site and across central Lisbon. The museum tells you all about the history of settlement here. In the evening there are plenty of great restaurants in Lisbon - perhaps end your night in the Bairro Alto district, rubbing shoulders with the locals in the lively bars. The Bairro Alto starts to come alive later in the evening. Head to the bar A Capela for dancing!
We'll pick you up for your transfer to the airport and you'll fly across Africa to equatorial Sao Tome. On arrival you'll be met for your transfer to your hotel. We'll always talk with you about your hotel preferences - in this suggestion we've included a sea view room at Club Santana on Sao Tome's eastern coast. Stays at Club Santana include half board - tonight perhaps dine at Club Santana's beach restaurant.
You can relax today, to settle in to your Sao Tome honeymoon. Spend time on Santana's beach and in the pool, go snorkelling to see many tropical fish in the warm Equatorial waters.
Our guides will pick you up for a full day exploring Sao Tome's east coast. You'll see the amazing beaches and scenery and will visit plantation communities.
Our guides will meet you again and take you for a guided walk in the remote Obo National Park. Walk through primary rainforest to see the verdant Lagoa Amelia crater.
We'll transfer you to the airport for your flight to Principe. Your week on this true paradise island is split between a luxury estate house, and an idyllic beach resort. Check in to the Roca Sundy and enjoy the rooms, views, and walking the estate. Stays at Roca Sundy are also half board.
We've included a daily experience on Principe and you can choose from a range of activities locally. Perhaps today you could have a guided walk to see the Oque Pipi waterfall and take a swim in it's plunge pool.
You could have a guided walk from Roca Sundy to the amazing sweep of golden sand that's the Sundy Praia beach.
You'll check out and will transfer to Bom Bom resort. You could incorportate a tour of the north of the island to see plantations, stunning views, and the world's smallest capital city, Santo Antonio. Bom Bom resort is the most famous in the islands, with three private beaches and a walkway to Bom Bom islet. We've included a beachfront bungalow, literally two steps from the beach. Your stay at Bom Bom is bed and breakfast - Bom Bom dinners are a la carte and you can choose and pay directly on the day.
You could take a boat trip to the Bay of Needles to see the unbelievable views of Principe's towering mountains, clad in rainforest.
Principe has many endemic birds and you could add a bird watching trip.
You could take the hotel's kayaks and snorkelling equipment and see the remote beaches of the north coast.
Cross to Sao Tome. Stay in Omali Lodge for your last night. Omali has a restaurant where you can choose from the a la carte menu - your stay here is on a bed and breakfast basis. There's time either today or tomorrow to add a guided tour of Sao Tome city, perhaps including a visit to the Claudio Corallo chocolate laboratory, if you're interested ...
We've included late checkout so that you can use your room and the facilities until it's time to transfer to the airport. The flight to Lisbon is overnight.
Connect in Lisbon for your flight to the UK.
Best time to go
The tropical Islands of Sao Tome and Principe can be enjoyed during any month of the year. The most optimum months to visit are perhaps during the short dry season, between December and February, because this is a good time to see the turtles coming to shore to nest. The long dry season, between June and September, is the most settled. During the dry seasons the weather is usually warm and predominantly dry, but you can get some short downpours, and high humidity does mean that the skies are often overcast.
If you enjoy the intensity of short tropical downpours followed by clear blue skies, and an abundance of tropical foliage, then visit during the wetter months: October and November, and March to May.
Turtle nesting season runs from mid-November through to early February, with hatching generally occurring during March. October through to March are the optimum months for bird watching enthusiasts and there are a range of bird watching walks and excursions on offer. Humpback whale watching season is between late July and October, most of which falls in the long dry season, with the exception of October which is the wettest month on Sao Tome and Principe.
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Suggested places to stay
Lisbon, Portugal
Solar do Castelo
The Solar do Castelo is boutique hotel with a unique heritage.
Boutique Hotels Hotel
Principe, Sao Tome and Principe
Bom Bom Principe Island Eco Lodge
A luxury eco lodge with two private beaches and exclusive activities for guests.
Retreat
Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
Club Santana Sao Tome
A beach resort on Sao Tome offering water sports and scuba diving from the private beach
Retreat
Principe, Sao Tome and Principe
Hotel Roca Sundy
A beautifully restored cacao plantation house
Boutique Hotels
Sao Tome, Sao Tome and Principe
Omali Lodge
Comfortable boutique style hotel set in tranquil tropical gardens
Boutique HotelsGallery
From £7,195 per person
The price is based on two people sharing a double room, with included activities as described and includes flights from the UK. Local tourist taxes are included in the guide price.
For a personalised itinerary and full list of what's included, please get in touch.
