Hafen
Sao Tome

OVERVIEW

Browse a museum and a gallery with eclectic collections of art and artifacts before dining on traditional Santomean cuisine. The São Sebastião Museum is housed in a Portuguese-built 16th-century fortress that later served as a prison. Although the exterior is rather austere, the artwork displayed inside is inspiring, especially the religious works from the colonial period. Other highlights include rooms devoted to agriculture, porcelain, slavery and the country’s independence from Portugal. CACAU – an acronym whose translation means the House of the Arts, Creativity, Environment and Utopias – is an art gallery and cultural center as it also contains a craft shop, theatre and restaurant. The guide will describe the contemporary paintings and sculptures, the majority of them by local artists. Live music as an accompaniment will make the experience all the more memorable. After browsing the gallery, you will settle in for a delightful lunch in the on-site restaurant.

HIGHLIGHTS

• See the creative side of São Tomé by browsing a museum and an art gallery.
• Gain an understanding of the flourishing local art scene in São Tomé.
• Enjoy a lunch of Santomean cuisine at a restaurant in the art gallery.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Explore plantation life and island traditions along the eastern shore of Sao Tome, an idyllic setting of verdant forests and gorgeous beaches. Depart from the pier and head down the picturesque eastern side of Sao Tome. Along the way, you will pass several colorful villages, although much of the rocky, heavily forested coastline is undeveloped. Upon arriving at the working cocoa plantation Roca Aqua Ize, you will watch how the raw product is processed. The Portuguese introduced cocoa around 1822 and it now dwarfs all other agricultural exports on the island, so it’s vital to the economy. Sao Tome is also known for its natural beauty in places such as the seaside Blow Hole, where you will stop to drink coconut water before continuing to the Sao Joao Plantation. You’ll discover the history of the plantation, referred to locally as a “roca,” on an enlightening walking tour given by Isaura Cavalho, who co-manages the property. Unlike plantations that grow a single crop, Sao Joao has diversified into raising cattle, culinary endeavors and promoting local artists. You will enjoy the delightful result of the efforts firsthand over a lunch of Santomean cuisine, accompanied by Bulawe drum music. The return to Sao Tome presents other alluring perspectives of the island, first at beautiful Seven Waves beach where you will have a bit of free time, and then at Pantufa fishing village, where you will watch a dance performance. Afterwards, you will drive back to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Understand the importance of cocoa production to the island’s economy during a visit to the Roça Água Izé, a working cocoa plantation.
• Delight in a revitalizing coconut water during a stop at a blowhole named Boca de Inferno, or Hell’s Mouth.
• Appreciate a guided tour of the marvelous Roça São João, a rural ecotourism plantation.
• Partake in a traditional Santomean lunch accompanied by joyous Bulawe drum music.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Delve into the culture and history of Sao Tome and see its marquee attractions, including the National Museum, Presidential Palace and lively city market. Depart from the pier and begin driving through Sao Tome, which is noted for its colonial architecture and brightly colored buildings. Founded by the Portuguese in 1485, the capital city is by far the nation’s largest, yet still compact and easy to walk. You will get a glimpse into the island’s rich past at the National Museum, which is housed in a Portuguese-built fortress from 1576 that overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. Many of the items on display are religious in nature, attesting to the fact that Sao Tome is predominately Catholic with several cathedrals, including one from the 16th century. Continuing on, you will visit the nearby Pantufo fishing village, where you will watch a traditional dance performance that lends even greater insight into the culture. Some of the dances are historically enlightening and tell the story of the Portuguese settling here to operate sugar-cane plantations. Returning to the city center, you will see the Presidential Palace along Independence Avenue and several popular squares. Still, the city market provides the best insight into life in Sao Tome. As you negotiate the narrow walkways, between stalls of fresh vegetables and aromatic spices, you will become immersed in the rhythm of daily life. Watch for vendors tugging their ears, a signal that means their merchandise is extra-good. Following the market experience, you will return to the pier.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Discover São Tomé’s history at the National Museum, located in a 16th-century Portuguese fortress.
• Enjoy a folkloric dance performance in the fishing village of Pantufo.
• Wander among stalls selling fresh vegetables and aromatic spices at the busy city market.
• Notice the ear-tugging used by the market’s vendors to advertise their best goods.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.