Does the eSIM also work on the Bijagós islands?

Many of the smaller Bijagós islands have very limited coverage or none. The eSIM functions wherever an MTN or Orange signal exists, yet the farthest islands of the archipelago are largely off the grid. We recommend downloading offline maps and any documents you need before you leave Bissau.

Is a power adapter something I need to think about for charging my phone?

Not when you come from Italy. Sockets in Guinea-Bissau are Type C, the familiar European two-round-pin fitting that matches Italian standards, so smartphones and other electronics can be charged without an adapter.

What is the time difference between Rome and Guinea-Bissau?

Guinea-Bissau keeps UTC+0, putting it 2 hours behind Rome in summer (CEST, UTC+2) and 1 hour behind in winter (CET, UTC+1). Bear that in mind when keeping in touch with Italy during your trip.

Will the eSIM handle video calls and digital payments in Guinea-Bissau?

Wherever Bissau has 4G coverage, video calls (WhatsApp, FaceTime) run smoothly. Many young Bissau-Guineans pay through mobile apps, but tourists will mostly still rely on cash in CFA francs. The eSIM is nonetheless essential for using Google Maps and Italian online banking services.

When is the best time to visit Guinea-Bissau with the eSIM active?

The dry season, from November to April, is ideal: roads are passable, the islands can be reached by pirogue and the temperatures are bearable. During the rainy season (May-October) some rural areas become inaccessible, and the connection can turn unstable even in places normally covered.

How much does an eSIM for Guinea-Bissau cost?

eSIM plans for Guinea-Bissau start from €3.89. You pay once for the amount of data you choose — no subscription, no monthly fees and no hidden roaming charges. Plans with more data or longer validity cost more.

Is an eSIM or roaming better in Guinea-Bissau?

A local eSIM in Guinea-Bissau is almost always much cheaper than the roaming of your Italian operator. In the European Union roaming is often already included ("Roam Like at Home"), but outside the EU the costs can be very high — with an eSIM you know the price in advance and pay only for the data plan you need.

Which operator or network does the eSIM use in Guinea-Bissau?

The eSIM in Guinea-Bissau connects automatically to local networks such as MTN Guinea-Bissau, Orange Bissau, Orange, MTN — on 4G/LTE and, where available, 5G. Coverage reaches about 35% in inhabited areas. Your phone picks the best available network by itself.

Can I keep my Italian number with the eSIM in Guinea-Bissau?

Yes. Your Italian SIM and number stay active — the travel eSIM works alongside it as a data-only line. You stay reachable on WhatsApp, iMessage or Wi-Fi while you use the local network to browse. Traditional calls and SMS still go through your Italian number.

Should I activate the eSIM before or after I leave?

Install the eSIM at home, on Wi-Fi, before you leave. The data plan then activates automatically when you connect in Guinea-Bissau. That way you are online as soon as you arrive, without looking for airport Wi-Fi or buying a local SIM.

Can I top up or renew the plan for Guinea-Bissau?

Yes. When the data runs out or the validity expires, just buy a new plan — the eSIM profile already installed is kept and does not need to be installed again. You stay connected without interruption.

Can I share the connection (hotspot) in Guinea-Bissau?

Yes. You can share the connection in Guinea-Bissau through a personal hotspot with a computer, tablet or other devices. Shared data is deducted from your plan, so allow a few extra gigabytes if you expect to use the hotspot often.

eSIM plans for Guinea-Bissau

Instant delivery

Your eSIM for Guinea-Bissau is available from €3.89 and active straight away: in Guinea-Bissau it connects to the MTN Guinea-Bissau, Orange Bissau, Orange, MTN networks (4G/LTE, 5G where available), coverage 35%. Install it by QR code before you leave — no roaming and no SIM swap.

Your selection

Select a plan

Payment methods

Instant email delivery
30-day returns
Support in Italian
Visa · Mastercard · PayPal (including Pay in 3) · Apple Pay · Google Pay · Satispay

eSIM for Guinea-Bissau — at a glance

From: €3.89
Local networks: MTN Guinea-Bissau, Orange Bissau, Orange, MTN
Technology: 4G/LTE
Network coverage: 35%
Activation: QR code — install before you leave
Recommended data: 1–3 GB light use · 5 GB with social media · 10 GB+ streaming

All eSIM plans for Guinea-Bissau

Data	Validity	Price
Unlimited	1 day	€3.89
Unlimited	3 days	€10.99
Unlimited	5 days	€16.99
Unlimited	7 days	€23.99
Unlimited	10 days	€33.99
Unlimited	15 days	€49.99
Unlimited	30 days	€98.99
1 GB	7 days	€4.99
2 GB	15 days	€8.99
3 GB	30 days	€10.99
5 GB	30 days	€17.99
10 GB	30 days	€29.99
20 GB	30 days	€47.99
50 GB	30 days	€91.99

Guinea-Bissau is one of the most authentic and least-trodden destinations in West Africa: an archipelago of mangroves, near-empty islands like the Bijagós and a capital whose Portuguese colonial charm is slowly fading. Venturing off the mass-tourism path, reliable connectivity is no luxury, it is a practical need. Offline maps, contact with local guides and weather updates before a pirogue trip all rely on it. With the Datiovunque eSIM, you set it up at home before boarding and activate it as you touch down at Osvaldo Vieira airport in Bissau, rather than searching for phone shops in a city where English is seldom spoken.

Flight time from Rome

About 7-9 hours (with a stopover, usually in Lisbon or Dakar)

Time zone

UTC+0 (1-2 hours behind Rome)

Best season

November – April (dry season)

Power socket

Type C — no adapter needed from Italy

Why use an eSIM in Guinea-Bissau

In Guinea-Bissau the network reaches roughly 35% of the territory, mostly around the capital Bissau and along the main roads. The Bijagós archipelago, popular with nature lovers and birdwatchers, has very patchy connectivity, though for the rest of the journey the eSIM makes a real difference. MTN Guinea-Bissau and Orange Bissau, the two leading local operators, provide 4G/LTE in towns and cities, and the Datiovunque eSIM relies on this infrastructure without making you buy a physical SIM locally. ATMs are scarce and phone shops can run out of stock fast, so leaving already connected saves needless worry. The country is also French-Creole speaking, and shop staff rarely know Italian or English, which makes remote digital activation a real and far from trivial benefit.

Network coverage in Guinea-Bissau

Operator

MTN Guinea-Bissau

+ Orange Bissau

Technology

4G/LTE

Coverage

35%

Installing an eSIM for Guinea-Bissau: how does it work?

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Guinea-Bissau and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Guinea-Bissau and get online straight away.

1
Buy the plan
Choose the right data plan for Guinea-Bissau and complete your purchase.
2
Scan the QR code
Open the email that holds the QR code and point your smartphone's camera at it.
3
Activate the eSIM
Follow your device's instructions to add the eSIM as a data plan.
4
Start browsing
Turn the eSIM on once you land in Guinea-Bissau and get online straight away.

Which eSIM plan fits you best?

Holidaymakers

Going away for 1-2 weeks? Pick a plan with 3-5 GB for maps, photos and messages.

Business travellers

For video conferencing and email while travelling, we suggest at least 5 GB or an unlimited plan.

Backpackers

A longer trip is better served by 10+ GB, or by a regional plan that spans multiple countries.

Families

For families with several devices we recommend a plan with tethering support and enough data.

Which suits Guinea-Bissau best: an eSIM, a local SIM or a Wi-Fi hotspot?

	eSIM	Local SIM	Wi-Fi hotspot
Activation	Instant (QR code)	Bought locally	Pick-up/delivery
Setup	2 minutes	SIM swap needed	Extra device
Price	From €3.89	€5–30	€5–15/day
Network	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE	Local 4G/LTE
Devices	1 smartphone	1 smartphone	Up to 5 devices
Flexibility	Top up at any time	Fixed data allowance	Daily rental
Recommended	Ideal for travellers	For long stays	For groups/families

More destinations close by

Benin

Botswana

Burkina Faso

Cameroon

Cape Verde

Central African Republic

Chad

DR Congo

Eswatini

Gabon

Gambia

Ghana

Senegal eSIM Guinea eSIM Need help?eSIM or roaming: which is better?How much data do you need when travelling?The best eSIMs: how to choose

Common questions about the eSIM for Guinea-Bissau

Discover all destinations

See all destinations