Bolama is a city on Bolama Island in the Bijagos Islands of Guinea-Bissau. Due to its impressive array of decaying and crumbling colonial buildings, it has been described as the "colonial Angkor Wat".

Get in

Pirogues are leaving regularly from Bissaus Pidjiguiti harbour, the ride takes about three hours. Price: CFA 3500 (2023)

There are pirogues from Sao Joao for 300 CFA (2023). The road from Fulacunda to Sao Joao is in a very poor condition, but there are construction works on a better road as of August 2023. To get from Enxude to Sao Joao, you have to take a motorbike taxi or jump on the back of the truck/bus which leaves right after the ferry from Bissau (9000 CFA for foreigners) arrives in Enxude

See

Bolama Court

Bolama

Impressive and decaying colonial buildings from the time when Bolama was capital of Guinea-Bissau.

Do

There are some good beaches on the island, though you'll have to walk for some km's from town - or rent a bike or motorbike. Make sure to be there at high tide.

Eat

Restaurants are scarce, but there are some bars serving goat meat with bread. The Prodepa hotel can arrange food, if ordered in advance.

Drink

There is a nice little bar at the harbour, good place to enjoy a beer while watching life going on at the harbour.

Sleep

• NGO Prodepa (Projecto de Desenvolvimento da Pesca Artesanal) runs a nice and comfortable hotel close to the harbour. Has hot water and aircon.
• 1 Hotel Samaritana, ☏ +245 724 24 76. (updated Nov 2018)
• 2 Ga-Moria Hotel, ☏ +245 955 777 676. Ask for Bebelito, who works at Loja Verte. CFA 13,000 a double room. (updated Aug 2023)

Go next

Buba (via Sao Joao)