Santo António is the main settlement of Príncipe Island in São Tomé and Príncipe. It has about 2,600 residents (2012), which is about one-third of the population of the island.

Understand

Palace of the Regional Government

Príncipe is wilder, greener and less inhabited than São Tomé. Birds like mannikins and drongos, whales, and turtles thrive here.

History

Santo António was founded in 1502, and became a centre of sugarcane cultivation. In 1695, the Fort of Ponta da Mina was built at the entrance of the bay of Santo António. The town and fortress were destroyed by French privateers in 1706.

Climate

Santo António has a tropical savanna climate, with little temperature variation year round. The average temperature is 24.8 °C. The average annual precipitation is 1872 mm, with the least precipitation in July and the most in October.

Get in

• 1 Príncipe Airport (PCP  ^IATA). This airport only receives domestic flights from São Tomé International Airport operated by STP Airways, which is on the list of carriers banned from operating into the European Union (July 2019). (updated Feb 2021)

Buy

The supermercado sells fish hooks and beer, but not much else.

Eat

Assembleia Legislativa Regional

• Rosa Pão, near waterfront in town. Dishes featuring lots of fish/seafood and rice. Daily 8AM-11PM. +239 991 6621

Sleep

• Bom Bom Island Resort, ☏ +239 225 1114. 20 bungalows, and a restaurant. €280-410. (updated Aug 2019)
• Residencial Apresentacao, 14 rua Oua 23, Santo António, ☏ +239 996 4860. Owner speaks English. Breakfast, air conditioning and wifi. €50–75. (updated Nov 2023)

Go next

• Ribeira Izé, the ruins of a slaving station built in the 15th century.
• São Tomé