Guinea is located in West Africa. It is bordered by the Ivory Coast and Senegal in the north, and Sierra Leone border is in the south. Its capital Conakry is famous for its modern Grand Mosque and the National Museum, with its regional artifacts. Guinea is also rich when it comes to natural resources. It is said that 25% of the world’s known bauxite reserves can be found here. Boasting with its rich culture and interesting history, this country surely is a hidden gem in West Africa.

Unfortunately, it is not so easy to go there because US citizens need to obtain a visa first before entering the said country. That’s why in this article, we put all the information that you might need upon applying for a tourist visa. Here, we provided you guide and some tips on how to get a Guinea Tourist Visa.

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Facts about the Republic of Guinea

Language

The official language in Guinea is French. It is due to their colonial past.

Currency

Guinean franc

Religion

The vast majority of Guineans are Muslims with up to 85% of the population, 8% Christian, with 7% adhering to indigenous religious beliefs.

Main Requirements in Applying for Guinea Tourist Visa

1. A valid passport (must be valid for the next 6 months)

2. Signed and completed the visa application form.

3. Two passport size pictures.

4. Proof of a yellow fever vaccine certificate (You can check here for the yellow fever vaccination clinics near you.)

5. A letter stating the purpose of your trip.

6. Self Address prepaid trackable return label and envelope. (USPS, UPS, FedEx)

Visa Fee

$160 for up to three (3) years period with multiple entries)

*Rush visa for the same day or next days is charged at twice the regular fee.

Mode of payment: Money order to the Embassy of Guinea.

Processing time: The visa can be obtained within 72 hours.

Important: Guinea does not issue a visa on arrival for tourists. You must obtain their visa in the Embassy of Guinea in Washington D.C.

Embassy in the United States

Address: 2112 Leroy Place, NW Washington, D.C 20008
Contact number:
Tel: 202-986-4300
Fax: 202-986-3800
Email: info@guineaembassyusa.com

Frequently Asked Questions on Applying for a Guinea Tourist Visa

1. When should I apply for a Guinea tourist visa?

It is advisable to apply for a Guinean visa at least a month before your departure.

2. Is it safe to travel to Guinea?

Although it is not so common nowadays, Guinea still has a threat of violent crimes. The US government provided precautionary measures for its citizens to make sure they are prepared whenever they decided to go there. Some of these are; you should avoid demonstrations and crowds. Some demonstrators attack vehicles when drivers attempt to pass through or around the protests. To know more about the precautionary measures, read the full advisory here.

3. Should I get travel insurance before my departure?

It is always recommended to get travel insurance whenever you go abroad. Especially if you’re going to a country where there is a high risk of danger.

4. How to get there?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the US to Guinea. You need a connecting flight to go there. The main airport in Guinea is Conakry Gbessia International Airport which is located in Conakry, the country’s capital. Check Skyscanner to see more available flights going to Guinea.

5. When is the best time to visit Guinea?

Guinea has two seasons; the wet and dry season. The wet season occurs from April through October, and the dry season is from November through March. Because of this, it is advisable to travel to Guinea between November and December. Expect great weather during these months.

6. Will I have a hard time communicating with the locals?

Guinea’s official language is French. Because of this, it might be difficult for non-French speakers to communicate with the locals. It is recommended to have a translation application or a travel book or guide with you during your trip.

7. Is traveling to Guinea expensive for tourists?

Traveling to Guinea is not expensive at all. In fact, it is one of the cheapest countries in Africa. But of course, you still have to budget your money because your expenses will depend on what you will do in the country.

8. How can I go around the area?

When you come to Guinea, you’ll be surprised because they don’t have buses. However, they have this share taxis that function as buses. The prices are per seat. This is one of the few ways to get around certain areas in the country. But if you prefer to rent a vehicle (a car to be exact) then you can, as well. But please remember that renting a car outside Conakry might be very expensive, which is about $200 per day. So it still depends on you which one you would use.

9. Why should I visit Guinea?

With its boasting nature and awesome food, Guinea should be a part of your travel plans. Some places that you shouldn't miss here are its capital Conakry, which has a lot of attractions and landmarks. Some of those attractions are the ‘Iles de Los beach’. You can do island hopping, swimming, or even hiking on this beach. Adventurers would love staying here!

Just like Asia, when it comes to food, Guinea’s most common food is rice. There are different kinds of ways Guineans prepare rice. One popular rice dish is called ‘soupe’ which is hot and spicy. Other foods like fish or meat are also one of the common dishes in the country.

Traveling to Guinea might be risky at first when you think about it. But actually, this country deserves recognition from tourists around the world. It’s beautiful and surely has a lot to offer. The people are friendly and nice that you’d feel their warm welcome when you go here. If Guinea is still not in your travel plans, then you might want to add it to your list. You’d surely have a memorable stay in this wonderful country!

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