Why an eSIM is Recommended for Guinea-Bissau
No Free EU Roaming
Unlike European countries, Guinea-Bissau does not benefit from free EU roaming. Your home plan will be expensive: between $2 and $5 per MB depending on your carrier. For a one-week trip with moderate usage (browsing, social media), you can easily spend $50 to $100 on roaming.
Very Limited Free WiFi
Free WiFi is very limited in Bissau-Guinean hotels and cafes, especially outside Bissau and on the Bijagós Islands:
- Availability: very limited outside the capital
- Security: unsecured public networks, hacking risks
- Reliability: unstable connections, frequent dropouts
- Mobility: impossible to use while traveling (transport, islands)
An eSIM offers secure and reliable connectivity everywhere, essential for traveling in Guinea-Bissau, especially for visiting the Bijagós Islands.
Network Coverage in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau has very limited 3G/4G coverage in major cities thanks to two major carriers:
| Carrier |
Coverage |
4G |
Market Share |
Used by |
| Orange |
Bissau, main cities |
Yes |
Leader |
Airalo, GoMoWorld |
| MTN |
Bissau, main cities |
Yes |
Significant |
Holafly, Saily |
Coverage by destination
- Bissau: basic 3G/4G coverage in the capital
- Bijagós Islands: very limited coverage, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
- Bafatá: limited coverage in interior
- Rural areas: almost no coverage
Note: Coverage is very limited outside Bissau. The Bijagós Archipelago (88 islands, UNESCO Biosphere Reserve) has very limited coverage. Guinea-Bissau is a Portuguese-speaking country with unique animist traditions.
How to Install Your Guinea-Bissau eSIM
- Purchase your plan (QR code received by email in 2 min)
- Install 24-48h before departure from your WiFi
- Activate upon arrival in Guinea-Bissau (timer starts)
- Keep your home SIM for calls and texts
Compatibility: iPhone XS+, Samsung S20+, Pixel 3+, Xiaomi 12+, OnePlus 8+
Best Guinea-Bissau eSIM 2026
<BlogSummaryTable
title="Top 5 Guinea-Bissau eSIM 2026"
countryCode="GW"
countrySlug="guinea-bissau"
plans={[
{
rank: 1,
providerId: "airalo",
data: "1 GB",
duration: "7 days",
price: "$4.50",
highlight: "Global leader + Orange network",
promoCode: "ESIMP15",
},
{
rank: 2,
providerId: "gomoworld",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$5.80",
highlight: "Best value for money",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
{
rank: 3,
providerId: "holafly",
data: "Unlimited",
duration: "15 days",
price: "$47",
highlight: "Unlimited data + hotspot",
},
{
rank: 4,
providerId: "saily",
data: "3 GB",
duration: "30 days",
price: "$6.20",
highlight: "NordVPN included",
promoCode: "ESIMP",
},
]}
/>
Why these providers?
- Airalo: global leader (8M+ users), Orange network, code ESIMP15 (-15%)
- GoMoWorld: Orange network, code ESIMP (-10%), best value for money
- Holafly: unlimited + hotspot, ideal for heavy users and families
- Saily: built-in NordVPN to secure public WiFi connections
Conclusion
For all travelers to Guinea-Bissau, an eSIM is highly recommended as home roaming is very expensive ($2 to $5 per MB) and free WiFi is very limited, especially on the Bijagós Islands.
Best choice: Airalo 1 GB at $4.50 with code ESIMP15 offers an economical solution for a short trip. For a longer stay, GoMoWorld 3 GB at $5.80 with code ESIMP is recommended.
For heavy users: Holafly unlimited eliminates any stress, even for streaming and hotspot.
Guinea-Bissau eSIM FAQ
