Africa

Equatorial Guinea

At a glance

Language

The only African country where Spanish is official. On the island of Bioko, hearing West African pidgin mixed with Spanish was one of my most memorable parts of the experience. It is probably the only country in the world with this mix.

Movement

Bioko is small enough to see in a couple of hours, but travelling outside Malabo is easier with authorisation because of the many checkpoints on the island. You can get the authorisation at the Ministry of Tourism or through a tour agency.

First impression

Malabo feels a bit empty, but orderly and secure, with some of the best roads you will find in the region.

Atmosphere

Tourism is still limited, so many places feel quiet or almost empty, but the country has clear visual and infrastructural potential.

A visual journey through Bioko, Equatorial Guinea

Malabo

Since January 2026, Malabo is no longer the capital of Equatorial Guinea. The capital has been moved to Ciudad de la Paz (Oyala).

Equatorial Guinea flag — **Identity is visible everywhere.** Green symbolises the natural resources, agriculture and jungles of the country. Blue symbolizes the sea, which connects the mainland with the islands. White symbolizes peace. Red symbolizes the blood shed by the fighters for independence.

Old emblem on a wall in Equatorial Guinea — **Even small details reward attention.** This silk cotton tree, called Ceiba, and it is on the national seal and flag of Equatorial Guinea. Additionally, it is the name of their national airline (CEIBA Intercontinental).

Traditional food in Equatorial Guinea — **The food feels immediately familiar within the region.** Anyone who knows West and Central African food will recognise the food here: okra, muamba etc influences from Nigeria, Congo, Angola and more!

Bioko Sur

The southern part of the Island with Luba as its capital.

Coastal walkway on Bioko Island in Equatorial Guinea — **Bioko opens out at the coast.** Driving around Bioko was a pleasure. The roads are peaceful, and parts of the coastline feel very similar to São Tomé and Príncipe (amazing country).

White Sand Beach Bioko Equatorial Guinea — **And then the pace softens.** White Sand Beach is one of the main beach attractions on the island, although it felt under-visited when I was there.

Road winding through green hills in Equatorial Guinea — **The roads are one of the country’s surprises.** Malabo and the island have some of the best roads in the region, which changes the whole feel of travel and makes the landscape easier to read.

Church exterior under scaffolding in Equatorial Guinea — **Historic but in need of repair.** This is St. Anthony Mary Claret Church in Batete, the oldest church on Bioko. It is an impressive structure, but clearly in need of major restoration work.

Batete church interior in Equatorial Guinea — **Inside Batete Church.** Even in its worn condition, the interior still holds remarkable detail and atmosphere.

Colonial-era building in Equatorial Guinea — **Bioko still carries traces of its colonial past.** This is an example of Spanish colonial architecture in Luba, the second largest town on Bioko and capital of Bioko Sur, the southern province of the island. Luba means love in the local Bubi language, and you will see several buildings that have fallen into disrepair.

Coastal scene in Equatorial Guinea — Quiet stretches of coast reinforce just how little tourism the country currently receives.

Moka, Equatorial Guinea — Moka, although a small town, is named after King Möókáta and remains one of the most important places for the Bubi people and the history of Bioko.

Colonial building in Moka, Equatorial Guinea — Outside Malabo, you can still find beautiful buildings such as this one, part of the Moka Wildlife Center.

Bioko Island — **Outside Malabo, the island turns greener and wetter.** Bioko may be small, but visually it changes quickly, and that makes even short journeys rewarding.

Travel notes

Where I stayed

3 de Agosto was comfortable, with a spacious room and a good bed. Internet worked, though each area required a different login. Just note that hotels are expensive in Malabo.

Getting around

Taxis were easy to find and felt generally safe in the city. Malabo itself never felt unsafe, though security is very visible. Outside Malabo it is understandably more difficult to get taxis.

Hikers

If you like hiking, you can go to the Mirador del Lago Biao in Moka. This viewpoint looks over the crater lake of the dormant Moka Volcano and is said to be around a two-hour hike.

Worth noting

In January, the government moved the capital to Ciudad de la Paz, while Malabo remains the place most visitors will actually experience first.