Description
Guinea-Bissau is a small country, but it draws people from the UK for family visits, development and charity work, and the remarkable Bijagós Islands. Getting a local SIM on arrival takes time you may not have, especially after a long journey with connections.
With a travel eSIM you set up your data plan at home and turn it on once you land in Bissau. It works next to your UK SIM rather than replacing it, so your own number remains in the phone for bank codes and calls from home. Use the eSIM data for WhatsApp, maps, email and keeping relatives updated on where you are.
Choose your Guinea-Bissau data plan
There are 10 plans for Guinea-Bissau. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 7 days | £7.70 |
| 1GB – 1 day | £11.41 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £14.63 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £18.82 |
| 3GB – 15 days | £28.52 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £46.40 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £88.28 |
| 20GB – 30 days | £169.77 |
| 50GB – 90 days | £407.43 |
| 100GB – 180 days | £794.50 |
- A few days in Bissau: 1GB for 7 days handles messages, email and a little browsing.
- Two weeks visiting family: 2GB or 3GB for 15 days gives room for photos and the odd video call.
- Month-long trip: 5GB or 10GB for 30 days suits regular calls home and sharing plenty of photos.
- Project work or long stays: 50GB for 90 days or 100GB for 180 days covers work email and video meetings over a longer period.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Guinea-Bissau.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Set up an eSIM.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. The phone makers also have step-by-step guides: Apple iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Guinea-Bissau
International flights arrive at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport in Bissau, usually via Lisbon, Dakar or Casablanca. Portuguese is the official language and Kriol is widely spoken, so a translation app is useful if you only speak English.
In Bissau you can use data for maps, messaging and staying in touch with drivers or relatives. The Bijagós Islands are remote, with boat transfers and very little infrastructure on many islands, so expect weak or no signal there. Download maps, tickets and anything you need before you leave the mainland.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Travel advice: before you go, read the GOV.UK travel advice for Guinea-Bissau, which covers entry requirements, safety and local laws.
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Guinea-Bissau and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Travel advice: read the FCDO travel advice for Guinea-Bissau before you go.
- Not the same as Guinea: this plan is for Guinea-Bissau only. Travelling to Guinea or Senegal as well? Ask us about a plan for each country.
More travel eSIMs
Visiting more than one country? We also have travel eSIMs for Gambia, Senegal and Sierra Leone. See all our travel eSIM destinations, or our UK eSIMs if you want a UK line on an eSIM too.
Questions
Will my eSIM work on the Bijagós Islands?
Signal on the islands is limited and some have none. Treat the islands as mostly offline and use your data in Bissau or on Bubaque, where you may find some coverage.
Can I make normal phone calls with it?
No, the plans are data only. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or similar apps over the eSIM data instead.
When should I buy my Guinea-Bissau eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
