The entire country is tiny, with a population of fewer than 200,000—about the size of a small Chinese island. There are barely 100 Chinese residents here, and only one tour guide (which, honestly, is plenty [wink]).
1. Attractions
The island is divided into southern, northern, and central routes. We spent three days exploring, but to be honest, none of the destinations are far apart. The central route features a visit to a coffee processing plant (entrance fee required), followed by an afternoon dolphin-watching trip at sea.
Spotting dolphins depends on your luck, but we were fortunate enough to see not only dolphins but also flying fish! On the southern route, there’s the famous Devil’s Eye attraction, where you can take a primitive little boat to “check in” at the center of the world—a quirky experience! The northern route boasts a must-visit cave and the chance to try spider crab, which isn’t mind-blowing in flavor but offers a unique culinary adventure.
2. Transportation
Our tour guide provided free pick-up and drop-off services. During the day, we rented a car with a driver, though technically, you can drive yourself using a Chinese license. On the second day, we decided to drive ourselves—it was surprisingly manageable. However, local taxis are outrageously expensive.
On our first day, we took a taxi to the supermarket, and for a mere five-minute ride, it cost us 10 euros. Suspecting we’d been overcharged, we asked the hotel front desk to negotiate on our behalf (the local language is Portuguese).
3. Food
The standout dishes here are Portuguese seafood rice and egg tarts. Jackfruit is the local staple, sold everywhere along the roadside, but its appearance looked so unappetizing that I didn’t dare to try it. Most restaurants don’t speak English, so I relied heavily on Google Maps to find highly-rated spots and ordered by pointing at pictures. Opting for pricier eateries, I found the costs quite steep—even higher than in Portugal [facepalm].
4. Local Products
This is a nation largely dependent on UN aid, and most things here feel rather basic. The only souvenirs worth taking home are coffee and chocolate, though neither left a particularly impressive taste [facepalm]. At the airport duty-free shop, I stumbled upon some breadfruit chips, which turned out to be surprisingly delicious—my personal favorite discovery!
5. Safety
It’s incredibly safe here—you can wander around freely even at night. For Africa, this makes it a great tourist destination, though it does get dull if you stay too long. There’s absolutely no nightlife to speak of, so boredom might set in after a few days.
