Guinea Safety Guide
Health, security, and travel safety information
Emergency Numbers
Save these numbers before your trip.
Healthcare
What to know about medical care in Guinea.
Healthcare System
Guinea's healthcare system is severely underdeveloped with limited facilities, equipment, and trained medical personnel. Public hospitals are poorly equipped and lack basic supplies including medications, clean water, and reliable electricity. Private clinics in Conakry offer better care but still fall well below international standards.
Hospitals
The main hospitals in Conakry include Hôpital National Ignace Deen, Hôpital National Donka, and Clinique Ambroise Paré (private). Outside the capital, medical facilities are extremely basic. Payment is required upfront, typically in cash.
Pharmacies
Pharmacies exist in major cities but medication availability is inconsistent. Counterfeit medications are a significant problem. Bring sufficient supplies of any prescription medications in original packaging, along with copies of prescriptions.
Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage up to $500,000 is essential. Verify that your policy covers Guinea and includes air ambulance evacuation to Europe or South Africa.
Healthcare Tips
- Carry a comprehensive medical kit including antibiotics, antimalarials, and basic supplies
- Identify medical evacuation services before arrival and have contact information readily available
- Avoid medical procedures involving needles or blood transfusions unless absolutely necessary due to HIV/hepatitis risks
- Bring copies of prescriptions and medical records, including blood type
- Consider dental work before traveling as dental care is very limited
- Keep emergency cash reserves for medical payments as credit cards are rarely accepted
Common Risks
Be aware of these potential issues.
Pickpocketing, bag snatching, and opportunistic theft are common in crowded areas, markets, and public transportation. Thieves often work in groups to distract victims.
Armed robberies occur, particularly at night and in isolated areas. Criminals may be armed with knives or firearms. Vehicle hijackings have been reported.
Political demonstrations, strikes, and protests occur regularly and can turn violent quickly. Security forces may use tear gas, rubber bullets, or live ammunition. Demonstrations can lead to roadblocks and restricted movement.
Road conditions are poor throughout Guinea with potholes, lack of signage, and inadequate lighting. Driving standards are dangerous with frequent speeding, overloading, and lack of vehicle maintenance. Accidents are common and often serious.
Frequent security checkpoints exist throughout the country. Officers may demand bribes or detain travelers for minor or fabricated infractions. Some checkpoints are operated by unofficial groups.
Contaminated food and water cause frequent illness. Cholera outbreaks occur periodically. Typhoid, hepatitis A, and travelers' diarrhea are common.
Malaria is endemic throughout Guinea year-round, with high transmission rates. It is the leading cause of illness among travelers to Guinea.
Border regions experience sporadic violence, banditry, and cross-border conflicts. Armed groups operate in some border areas, and tensions with neighboring countries can escalate.
Scams to Avoid
Watch out for these common tourist scams.
Individuals posing as police officers stop tourists, claim visa or documentation problems, and demand immediate payment of 'fines' or threaten arrest. Some are actual police seeking bribes.
Taxi drivers, vendors, and service providers quote inflated prices to foreigners, sometimes 5-10 times the normal rate. Prices may change after services are rendered.
Street money changers use sleight of hand to shortchange tourists, provide counterfeit notes, or switch agreed amounts. Some work with accomplices who create distractions.
Individuals approach tourists offering guide services, help with permits, or access to attractions, then demand excessive fees, abandon tourists, or lead them to dangerous areas or accomplices.
Unlicensed 'hotels' or guesthouses take payment but provide substandard or unsafe accommodations. Some taxi drivers claim booked hotels are closed and take tourists to establishments paying commissions.
Vendors sell SIM cards that don't work, provide incorrect activation codes, or fail to apply paid credit to accounts. Some steal phone information during 'assistance' with setup.
Individuals approach tourists with stories about sick family members, orphanages, or schools needing money, sometimes showing fake documents or taking tourists to staged locations.
Safety Tips
Practical advice to stay safe.
Documentation
- Carry passport and visa copies separately from originals at all times
- Keep digital copies of all important documents in secure cloud storage
- Carry multiple passport photos for permits and unexpected documentation needs
- Register with your embassy upon arrival and provide itinerary
- Keep emergency contact list in French and English
- Carry proof of yellow fever vaccination as it's mandatory and frequently checked
Money and Valuables
- Carry cash in small denominations; ATMs are unreliable and often empty
- Use money belts or hidden pouches; avoid displaying wealth
- Keep emergency cash separate from main funds in multiple locations
- Credit cards are rarely accepted; bring sufficient euros or US dollars to exchange
- Photograph valuable items and record serial numbers before travel
- Use hotel safes for valuables when available, but carry essentials with you
Communication
- Learn basic French phrases as English is rarely spoken
- Purchase local SIM card from official providers for emergency communication
- Share your itinerary and check in regularly with someone at home
- Download offline maps before arrival as internet is unreliable
- Keep embassy contact numbers programmed in phone and written down
- Consider satellite phone or emergency beacon for remote area travel
Transportation
- Use only reputable taxi companies or hotel-arranged transportation
- Never travel after dark; plan to reach destinations before sunset
- Avoid overloaded vehicles and bush taxis when possible
- Keep car doors locked and windows up while driving
- Carry spare fuel as gas stations are scarce outside cities
- Inform someone of travel plans including expected arrival times
Accommodation
- Stay in established hotels with security measures in central, well-lit areas
- Verify room locks and request room changes if security is inadequate
- Keep room number private; don't announce it in public areas
- Know emergency exits and evacuation routes
- Don't open doors without verifying identity of visitors
- Keep valuables locked and out of sight even in hotel rooms
Health Precautions
- Complete all recommended vaccinations at least 4-6 weeks before travel
- Take malaria prophylaxis exactly as prescribed throughout trip and after return
- Carry comprehensive first aid kit with prescription medications
- Maintain strict food and water hygiene at all times
- Avoid contact with animals including dogs due to rabies risk
- Know signs of serious tropical diseases and seek immediate help if symptoms develop
Cultural Awareness
- Dress modestly; Guinea is predominantly Muslim with conservative values
- Ask permission before photographing people, religious sites, or government buildings
- Avoid public displays of affection
- Use right hand for eating and greeting; left hand is considered unclean
- Remove shoes when entering mosques or homes if invited
- Be patient with different concepts of time and service standards
Political Awareness
- Avoid all political discussions and don't criticize the government
- Stay away from military installations, government buildings, and security forces
- Don't photograph police, military, or government facilities
- Monitor local news daily for developing situations
- Have contingency plans for rapid evacuation if situation deteriorates
- Follow embassy guidance and security alerts immediately
Information for Specific Travelers
Safety considerations for different traveler groups.
Women Travelers
Women travelers face additional challenges in Guinea due to conservative social norms and gender inequality. While violent crimes against foreign women are relatively rare, sexual harassment, unwanted attention, and inappropriate comments are common. Women traveling alone may face more difficulties and should take extra precautions. Local women typically have restricted social freedoms, and foreign women may be viewed with curiosity or suspicion.
- Dress very conservatively; cover shoulders, chest, and legs to below knee; loose-fitting clothing is essential
- Avoid traveling alone, especially after dark; use trusted male companions or guides when possible
- Wear a wedding ring and mention a husband even if single to deflect unwanted attention
- Book accommodations in reputable hotels with good security; request rooms on middle floors
- Avoid eye contact with men you don't know; this can be misinterpreted as interest
- Use female taxi drivers when available or hotel-arranged transportation
- Be firm but polite in declining unwanted attention; don't feel obligated to be friendly
- Keep phone charged and accessible with emergency contacts readily available
- Trust your instincts; remove yourself from uncomfortable situations immediately
- Consider hiring female guides when available for cultural sites and markets
- Avoid beaches and isolated areas; stick to populated, well-lit locations
- Don't disclose hotel name, room number, or travel plans to strangers
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm; be prepared to make noise if threatened
- Join group tours rather than traveling independently when possible
LGBTQ+ Travelers
Homosexuality is illegal in Guinea under Article 325 of the Penal Code, with penalties including imprisonment from 6 months to 3 years and fines. While enforcement is inconsistent, the law exists and can be applied, particularly against locals. Same-sex marriage is not recognized, and there are no legal protections against discrimination.
- Do not disclose sexual orientation or gender identity publicly; maintain discretion at all times
- Avoid any public displays of affection with same-sex partners
- Do not discuss LGBTQ+ topics or rights with locals as this could create dangerous situations
- Book separate beds or rooms if traveling with same-sex partner to avoid suspicion
- Be extremely cautious about using dating apps; these can be used to target and entrap LGBTQ+ individuals
- Do not bring LGBTQ+ related materials, books, or pride symbols that could be discovered
- Research and understand local laws before arrival; ignorance is not a defense
- Have embassy contact information readily available in case of issues
- Consider whether travel to Guinea is necessary given the significant risks
- If detained or harassed, contact your embassy immediately
- Avoid bars, clubs, or areas that might be known LGBTQ+ meeting points as these may be monitored
- Be aware that hotel staff may report suspicious behavior to authorities
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance is absolutely essential for Guinea and should be considered non-negotiable. The poor healthcare infrastructure, high risk of serious illness (particularly malaria), limited emergency services, political instability, and potential need for emergency medical evacuation make insurance critical. Medical treatment requires upfront cash payment, and medical evacuation can cost $50,000-$200,000. Without proper insurance, travelers could face financial ruin or be unable to access lifesaving care.
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