<strong>Sao Tome and Principe: </strong>Principe (pictured) and its larger sister island Sao Tome is a tiny archipelago situated in the Gulf of Guinea.
Sao Tome and Principe: Principe (pictured) and its larger sister island Sao Tome is a tiny archipelago situated in the Gulf of Guinea.
Roca Belo Monte
<strong>30,000 visitors a year:</strong> It's one of the world's least visited countries, with just 30,000 visitors in 2018.
30,000 visitors a year: It's one of the world's least visited countries, with just 30,000 visitors in 2018.
Getty Images/Sascha Grabow
<strong>Tourism on the rise: </strong>Hugo Menezes, director general of tourism for Sao Tome and Principe, tells CNN Travel that just 7,900 people visited in 2010.
Tourism on the rise: Hugo Menezes, director general of tourism for Sao Tome and Principe, tells CNN Travel that just 7,900 people visited in 2010.
Erica Jenkin
<strong>Biodiversity:</strong> The islands' remoteness -- situated roughly 160 miles (260 kilometers) off the coast of Gabon -- has helped maintain a remarkably varied ecosystem.
Biodiversity: The islands' remoteness -- situated roughly 160 miles (260 kilometers) off the coast of Gabon -- has helped maintain a remarkably varied ecosystem.
Roca Belo Monte
<strong>Pico Cao Grande: </strong>One of the country's landmarks is Pico Cao Grande, a volcanic peak on Sao Tome.
Pico Cao Grande: One of the country's landmarks is Pico Cao Grande, a volcanic peak on Sao Tome.
RUTH MCDOWALL/AFP via Getty Images
<strong>Priaia Banana, Principe:</strong> Principe is a <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.unesco.org%2Fnew%2Fen%2Fnatural-sciences%2Fenvironment%2Fecological-sciences%2Fbiosphere-reserves%2Fafrica%2Fsao-tome-and-principe%2Fthe-island-of-principe%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Unesco Biosphere Reserve</a> due to the diverse range of endemic plants, birds, insects and marine species found there.
Priaia Banana, Principe: Principe is a Unesco Biosphere Reserve due to the diverse range of endemic plants, birds, insects and marine species found there.
Roca Belo Monte
<strong>Accommodation:</strong> The <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.belomontehotel.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Roca Belo Monte Hotel</a> allows guests to mingle with researchers who have been invited to use the property as a base for their work and studies.
Accommodation: The Roca Belo Monte Hotel allows guests to mingle with researchers who have been invited to use the property as a base for their work and studies.
Eoghan Maguire
<strong>Abandoned hospital:</strong> The islands are full of fading colonial splendor, such as this scene in the town of Agua Ize on Sao Tome.
Abandoned hospital: The islands are full of fading colonial splendor, such as this scene in the town of Agua Ize on Sao Tome.
Erica Jenkin
<strong> Roca Sao Joao Dos Angolares: </strong>At <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.saotomechoice.com%2Faccommodation%2Froca-sao-joao%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Roca Sao Joao dos Angolares</a> visitors can experience lavish Sao Tomean cuisine full of extravagant tropical flavors.
Roca Sao Joao Dos Angolares: At Roca Sao Joao dos Angolares visitors can experience lavish Sao Tomean cuisine full of extravagant tropical flavors.
Erica Jenkin
<strong>View from the restaurant:</strong> Roca Sao Joao Dos Angolares is an old plantation in the southwest of Sao Tome island that has been transformed into a restaurant, hotel, and art space by TV chef Joao Carlos Silva.
View from the restaurant: Roca Sao Joao Dos Angolares is an old plantation in the southwest of Sao Tome island that has been transformed into a restaurant, hotel, and art space by TV chef Joao Carlos Silva.
Eoghan Macguire
<strong>Coffee Museum:</strong> Other attractions include the sprawling <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.travelsaotome.com%2Fplaces-to-visit%2Fmonte--caf%25C3%25A9-plantation%2F%23.Xi8XmRP7Qkg" target="_blank" target="_blank">Monte Cafe</a> plantation where visitors can learn about the coffee-making process as well as the brutal history of those who were brought to the island as slaves and bonded laborers.
Coffee Museum: Other attractions include the sprawling Monte Cafe plantation where visitors can learn about the coffee-making process as well as the brutal history of those who were brought to the island as slaves and bonded laborers.
Erica Jenkin