Guinea
Travel tips for Guinea: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.
Cash and cards
Cash is essential. Guinea is a heavily cash-based economy where cards are only accepted at major international hotels and high-end supermarkets in Conakry. ATMs are sparse outside the capital, so travelers must carry enough Guinean Francs for all daily expenses.
Try the food
- Poulet Yassa: A tangy and savory dish of chicken marinated overnight in lemon juice, mustard, and abundant caramelized onions, typically served over white rice.
- Fouti: A comforting, hearty staple consisting of rice topped with a rich, thick sauce made from mashed eggplants, tomatoes, and palm oil.
- Sauce d'Arachide (Maafe): A rich, savory peanut butter stew simmered with vegetables and chunks of meat or fish, ladled generously over rice.
Say it in French
- Hello: Bonjour
- Thank you: Merci
- Please: S'il vous plaît
- Excuse me: Excusez-moi
- How much is this?: C'est combien ?
- The bill please: L'addition, s'il vous plaît
- Yes / No: Oui / Non
- Goodbye: Au revoir
Essentials
- Plugs
- Type C / Type F / Type K
- Voltage
- 220V, 50Hz
- Driving
- Right side
- Tap water
- Avoid — buy bottled
- Emergency
- 117 (Police), 18 (Ambulance), 442-020 (Fire)
- SIM tip
- Purchase an Orange or MTN SIM card at Conakry International Airport upon arrival for the most reliable nationwide coverage.
Etiquette
Always use your right hand for eating, greeting, and passing items, as the left hand is traditionally considered unclean.