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Sao Tome and Principe - Consular Information Sheet
September 14, 1999
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Sao Tome and Principe is a developing
nation, comprising the islands of Sao Tome and Principe and located
off the west coast of Africa. Facilities for tourism are limited
but adequate.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport is required. A visa is
required and must be obtained in advance. Travelers should obtain
the latest information and details from the Permanent Mission
of Sao Tome and Principe, 400 Park Ave., 7th Floor, New York,
N.Y. 10022, telephone (212) 317-0533. Overseas, inquiries should
be made to the nearest Sao Tomean diplomatic mission.
MEDICAL FACILITIES: Medical facilities in Sao Tome and
Principe are extremely limited. Many medicines are not available.
Doctors and hospitals often require immediate cash payment for
health services. The Medicare/Medicaid program does not provide
for payment of medical services outside the United States.
It is advisable to check with your own insurance company to
confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision
for medical evacuation. Ascertain whether payment will be made
to the overseas hospital or doctor or whether you will be reimbursed
later for expenses that you incur. Some insurance policies also
include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition
of remains in the event of death. Useful information on medical
emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is
provided in the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs'
brochure, Medical Information for
Americans Traveling Abroad, available via its home page at
http://travel.state.gov
and autofax service at 202-647-3000.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions may
be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
international travelers hotline at telephone 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747);
fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299); or by visiting the CDC Internet
home page at http://www.cdc.gov.
INFORMATION ON CRIME: Incidents of crime occur. The loss
or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately
to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate,
which is in Libreville, Gabon. U. S. State Department pamphlets
Tips
for Travelers to Sub-Saharan Africa provide useful information
on protecting personal security while traveling abroad and on
travel in the region in general. Both are available from the Superintendent
of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC
20402.
ROAD SAFETY/AUTOMOBILE TRAVEL: National roads are limited.
Some roads may be impasable without a four-wheel-drive vehicle.
While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions
which differ significantly from those in the United States. The
information below concerning Sao Tome and Principe is provided
for general reference only and may not be totally accurate in
a particular location or circumstance.
Safety of Public Transportation: Public transportation is not
available.
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Fair
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Non-existent
CURRENCY INFORMATION: Credit cards are rarely accepted.
Travelers checks can be cashed at major local banks. U.S. dollars
are widely accepted at tourist establishments.
DRUG PENALTIES: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws
of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties for possession,
use or trafficking in illegal drugs are strictly enforced. Convicted
offenders can expect jail sentences and fines.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial
air service by local carriers at present, or economic authority
to operate such service, between the U.S. and Sao Tome and Principe,
the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed
the Sao Tomean civil aviation authority for compliance with international
aviation safety standards for oversight of Sao Tome's air carrier
operations. For further information, travelers may contact the
Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873,
or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/.
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some
foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of
air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific
carriers, travelers may contact DOD at 618-229-4801.
CHILDRENS ISSUES: For information on international adoption
of children, international parental child abduction, and international
child support enforcement issues, please refer to our Internet
site at http://travel.state.gov/children's_issues.html
or telephone (202) 736-7000.
U.S. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATION: There is no U.S. Embassy
in Sao Tome and Principe. U.S. citizens in Sao Tome and Principe
needing assistance may contact the U.S. Embassy in Libreville,
Gabon, located on the Boulevard de la Mer. U.S. citizens traveling
or living in Sao Tome and Principe are encouraged to register
at the U.S. Embassy in Libreville. The mailing address is B.P.
4000, Libreville, Gabon, telephone numbers (241) 76-20-03/4 or
74-34-92.
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