Luxury meets conservation in a UNESCO biosphere
Sundy Praia offers eco-luxury in forested beachfront tents on Príncipe Island, blending conservation, culture and personalised service.
Location: Sundy Praia is nestled on the north-west tip of Príncipe Island, within a UNESCO biosphere. The hotel is hidden in lush rainforest behind a secluded sandy beach, offering direct access to Atlantic waters and teeming wildlife. Guest experiences include turtle nesting, whale watching and guided rainforest trails.
Rooms: The lodge features 15 spacious tented villas, designed in the style of traditional fishermen’s huts. Villas feature four-poster beds, stone-carved baths, generous terraces and air conditioning; select three-bedroom suites include private plunge pools. Interiors display local craftsmanship, organic textiles and open shutters for ocean and forest views.
Amenities: The property includes an infinity pool, wellness centre, and wellness treatments (such as coffee-bean chiro massages). Dining takes place at the OKA Sundy restaurant beneath a vaulted bamboo-and-thatch pavilion. Guests receive a welcome massage, daily breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus house drinks and airport transfers.
Activities: One guided experience per day is included: 4×4 and boat excursions, plantation tours, forest walks, birdwatching, whale and turtle watching, snorkelling, scuba diving, stargazing and community visits - all organised onsite.
Sustainability: Sundy Praia embodies eco-conscious principles: villas are built on screw-in platforms to avoid concrete, recessed into the canopy and hidden by design. Waste is fully sorted; all glass is upcycled into building aggregate. On-site organic farm supports local produce, fish is boat-caught, and toiletries are refillable. The €25 nightly guest contribution funds conservation, community, craft apprenticeships and education. Local staff (60% from Príncipe, 40% from São Tomé) support cultural events and skill workshops, such as basket weaving.
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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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