The Basics
Country: Guinea
Where is it?: Guinea is in western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Guinea-Bissau and Sierra Leone
Why do people go here?: Not many travelers come to Guinea. Although the country is safe, the capital Conakry has a bad reputation for crime.
What are the main entry points?: A number of European airlines serve Guinea. If you’re traveling overland, it’s best to use the roads through Mali or Cote d’Ivoire, as Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Sierra Leone are unsafe.
Currency used: Guinean franc
Country Code for Phones: 224
Religion: Muslim 85%, Christian 8%, Animist 7%
Population: 10 million
Ethnic Breakdown: Fulani 35%, Malinke 30%, Susu 20%, Other
Government: Military Junta
Languages: French, Indigenous
Travel Information
Major Cities: Conakry, Kindia, Kankan
Attractions: Fouta Djalon Plateau
Tourism Office locations and links: Office National du Tourisme BP : 1275 Conakry; Tél. : +224 30 45 51 63/+224 60 33 06 19/ +224 60 55 73 61; Fax : +224 30 45 51 64; E-Mail: info@ontguinee.com Web Site:
Off-the-Beaten-Path: Dalaba, Pita
Health Issues: Diarrhea, Hepatitis, HIV/AIDS
Tips for Visiting
When to go: November through February has the least amount of rain and it’s cool.
Common Phrases: Hello = Bonjour, How are you? = Comment allez-vous?, Good = Bien or Bon, Yes = Oui, Okay = D’accord or OK, No = Non, Thank you = Merci, Please = S’il vous plaît, Goodbye = Au revoir
Specific Events/Holidays: Declaration of the 2nd Republic: April 3, Market Women’s Revolt: August 27, Independence Day: October 2, Armed Forces Day: November 1, Variable Islamic Holidays
Getting Around: Government-run buses run between the main towns.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airport to fly into Guinea is the Conakry Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Guinea travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
