Driving in São Tomé island is the best way to explore and it is fairly easy as there is only one main road that almost circle-navigates around the whole island. There is typically very little traffic, however, some of the area's roads are in poor condition, but in general, it is ok and doable. Cars are available from around $55 a day, but scooters are also a great option starting at approximately $20 a day. It is also possible to rent a car with a driver for an extra fee.

By Bus or Taxi

In São Tomé, there are some minibuses you can take but these are not the most efficient for sightseeing. The minibusses used are mostly hand-me-down buses from Portugal. They are not very useful for tourists as they connect population centers, not tourist sites.

Yellow taxis are also available to take you around but these might not be the most convenient for day trips, especially if you would like to explore some remote areas where a 4X4 car is recommended. The station for taxis and buses is located next to the market area in the capital city.

Most taxis are shared trips. A one-way trip usually costs around $3.30-$5.50. It is possible to hire a taxi without sharing by paying for the rest of the seats.