Laid‑back paradise between two golden beaches
Bom Bom offers barefoot luxury in forest-fringed beachfront bungalows on Príncipe, blending wellness, adventure and environmental stewardship.
Location: Nestled on Ilhéu Bom Bom, a tiny island just off northern Príncipe, the resort spans two secluded sandy beaches amid lush rainforests. Situated within the UNESCO-designated Príncipe Biosphere Reserve, it offers direct access to pristine Atlantic waters and teeming biodiversity. Close enough for a short boat trip to the main island, yet remote enough for true escape.
Rooms: The resort comprises 18–20 thatched bungalows - beachfront, pool-, garden-, and sea-view - built from local materials and thoughtfully placed within the tropical vegetation. Each features a private veranda, air-conditioning, ceiling fan, en-suite bathroom, minibar and safe. Many offer serene views over powder‑white sand and swaying palms.
Amenities: Bom Bom features an inviting infinity swimming pool, spa, gym, and timber spa pavilion. The on-site restaurant sits on an islet reachable via wooden walkway, serving seasonal, locally sourced cuisine set against ocean vistas. Shared airport transfers, Wi‑Fi, gym and spa access are included, along with a daily guided experience.
Activities: One guided activity per day is included. Options range from beach‑side yoga, snorkelling, kayaking, island hikes, bird and turtle watching, whale spotting, to cultural visits and rainforest excursions. A dive centre offers PADI certification and scuba trips, while off‑road drives reveal secret viewpoints and coastal scenery
Sustainability: Bom Bom was Africa’s first Biosphere Responsible Tourism certified hotel. It supports local employment (68 local staff), sources produce and fish locally, and contributes €25 per guest night to conservation through the Principe Trust. Built on screw‑in platforms, it recycles glass in construction and aims to reduce dependency on diesel
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Best places to stay in São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe Trip Inspiration
When to visit São Tomé & Principe
Find out the best time to visit São Tomé & Principe with our month-by-month guide.
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
January
The short dry season continues through to March. This is a great time for exploring Obo National Park on Sao Tome, as well as scuba diving, hiking and seeing turtles nesting and hatching. Bird watching is superb for those who want to see the bright breeding plumage.
February
The dry weather continues throughout February, meaning hiking in Obo National Park on Sao Tome is particularly good, although the heat can be quite intense. Scuba divers will delight at the water clarity, whilst those down at the beach may catch the end of the turtle nesting season. Bird watchers will enjoy seeing the bright breeding plumage of local species.
March
The long wet season begins with daily rain showers and intense humidity. However the rain doesn't last all day, and the showers leave behind clear blue skies, making this an ideal time for photography. March is good for orchid spotting too.
April
The wet season continues with daily rain showers and high humidity. Hiking becomes tricky on the muddy terrain. April is actually a great time to visit as it's not quite as hot as in February and March, and the rain showers clear the clouds leaving sunny blue skies, which is ideal for photography. Orchids are flourishing at this time of year
May
May sees the end of the long wet season with daily rainfall showers and intense humidity. It's a good month for orchid spotting and photography, but hiking remains difficult on the muddy terrain.
June
The main dry season runs from June through to the beginning of September. It's the perfect time for hiking, exploring beaches and swimming in the turquoise sea. This is the hottest time of year, but the cloudy skies offer some protection from the sun.
July
July is the heart of the long dry period, defined by the absence of rain, and the presence of cloudy skies, which will give some respite from the heat. Hiking and swimming is particularly good at this time of year.
August
The dry season continues into August, an ideal time for beaches, swimming and hiking the trails around the islands. There's no rain, but no blue skies either. Humpback Whales, Killer Whales and dolphins begin migrating along the north east shores. August is a month of Saints' feast days with several cultural celebratory events where the streets come alive with open air food stalls, music and entertainment.
September
September sees the dry weather period drawing to an end. It's still a good time for hiking, walking along the beaches and taking a tip in the ocean. Temperatures are still soaring, but the cloudy skies offer some protection from the heat. It's a great time for whale and dolphin watching as they migrate along the north east shores.
October
October is a bit of a mixed bag, with the short wet season beginning in earnest. Hiking becomes more difficult but it doesn't rain all day, so it's still a good month for most island activities. The whale and dolphin migration continues along the north east coastline.
November
In recent years November has been the month with the highest rainfall, heralding the beginning of the short wet season. Skies are grey, but the bird nesting season begins which is good news for bird watchers, and from mid-November turtles start nesting on the beaches.
December
December sees the beginning of the short dry season. There's still a bit of rain around, but nothing to really disrupt activities. It's a great time for bird watching and seeing the bright breeding plumage, and the turtles continue to nest on the beaches.
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