Significant safety concerns; travel only if you have a clear reason to go. Civil liberties are tightly restricted and political expression can carry risk.
Regional breakdown
Bissau, the capital, is where most visitors spend their time. It is also the main crime hotspot. The official advisory guidance flags pickpocketing and opportunistic theft as common in the city, especially in markets and around transport hubs. Bissau itself has been declared free of landmines, which makes it the easiest part of the country to move around in. Outside the capital, the picture changes. The official advisory guidance points to unexploded ordnance still present in Bafatá, Oio, Biombo, Quinará and Tombali. These are rural regions where security forces are thin and roads are poor. The official advisory guidance tells travellers to stay on paved roads in these areas and to ask local guides before walking on verges, tracks or farmland. The Bijagós Archipelago, a popular draw for fishing and wildlife trips, sits off the mainland and has its own logistics. Boat transfers can be slow, weather-dependent and lightly regulated. Anyone heading to remote islands or inland regions should plan for limited phone signal. Few medical facilities and long travel times back to Bissau if something goes wrong.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance reissued its Guinea-Bissau advisory on 11 December 2025. It stays at Level 3, Reconsider Travel. The risk indicators are now Unrest, Health and Other. The Crime indicator was dropped in this update and Other was added, but the overall level did not move. The reissue followed political unrest in November 2025, which the US specifically calls out in the text. The official advisory guidance page was last updated on 10 December 2025. The most recent change was new information for dual nationals returning to the UK, added to the entry requirements section. The official advisory guidance does not use a numbered level system. Neither government has issued an ordered departure for staff.
What travellers should know
There is no US embassy or consulate in Guinea-Bissau. Consular help for travellers is run Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, which means emergency support can take time to reach you. travellers should also expect limited in-country assistance and check what their insurer covers before travelling. Comprehensive medical and evacuation cover is important, because the official advisories both describe local health infrastructure as inadequate for serious cases. Guinea-Bissau runs largely on cash. ATMs are few and card acceptance is patchy, so plan currency in advance and use official exchange points. Avoid driving at night, watch for poor road surfaces, and take extra care during the June to October rainy season when routes flood. Steer clear of demonstrations, military sites and government buildings, particularly during periods of political tension. Drug offences and drink-driving carry severe penalties, including prison terms in tough conditions. Carry ID at all times when driving or using taxis, and keep an eye on local media for sudden changes.