Because Equatorial Guinea has undergone many years of international isolation, its tourism industry is very undeveloped, with limited hotel space available in *Malabo and *Bata. Tourist attractions are the colonial quarter in Malabo, the southern part of the island Bioko where you can hike to the Iladyi cascades and to remote beaches to watch nesting turtles. A certificate of vaccination against yellow fever is required.

You are likely to face harassment by police forces curious of what you are doing in the country as a “tourist”. Equatorial Guinea’s government is authoritarian and has one of the worst human rights records in the world, consistently ranking among the “worst of the worst” in Freedom House’s annual survey of political and civil rights.

Equatorial Guinea is the only sovereign African state in which Spanish is an official language.

For visitors, Equatorial Guinea is infamous for its high prices and hard-to-get visas for most. This is nominally a police state, akin to Turkmenistan and North Korea (minus the minders and organized persecution of its inhabitants). As a result, tourist infrastructure is sparse and it is not a high priority for the government.

Taking photos of any government properties is strictly prohibited without permission. Don’t photograph airports, government buildings, or anything of military or strategic value. Locals, including children, are generally averse to foreigners taking their picture. As a general rule, don’t bring a camera while walking around town as this can lead to trouble with the police.

A permit from the Ministry of Information and Tourism used to be necessary to take photographs in public, and whilst this requirement has been lifted police may still attempt to fine or even arrest persons trying to take photographs.