Boundless Beauty of Sao Tome

A 3 or 4 kms drive away in any direction from buzzing downtown Sao Tome, one is suddenly closeted by thick green plantations of banana, coffee, cocoa and variety of fruits. All the directions away the city – North, South, East and West, lead to dense jungles.

The drive is not just magical, but rejuvenating too. The innumerable waterfalls, bluish green hued beaches, clear streams, medicinal gardens, fruit farms, plantation museums, picturesque fishing villages and vantage viewpoints overlooking dense jungles – all of which make you feel liberated.

Enough of the adjectives. let the photos and videos speak for themselves ! 

The first point in the Central Highlands of the North is the enthralling and popular waterfalls, the Cascata de São Nicolau, which is the most accessible from the main road. The waters fall from a height of 50 meters fed by perennial down streams. The approach to the waterfalls can be a bit winding and bumpy, but the overlooking forests and the natural pool at the base of the falls, makes the visit extremely worthwhile.

Care taker at the Coffee Museum

Cocoa seeds and farms (Photo: Raghu Gururaj)

Cascata de Praia Pesqueria, Southern Sao Tome, is where the river meets the sea. Beautiful and serene, it is located in middle of a small fishermen village.

ANAMBO is where the first Portuguese explorer landed in Sao Tome and therefore holds some historical significance. Approximately 30 km further on the northern tip, this beach is pretty and pristine.

The usually desolated Blue Lagoon or the Lago Azul, boasts of blue, clear, shining and temperature perfect waters, making it an ideal spot to swim for hours. The beach throws up beautiful odd shaped and multi hued shiny pebbles.

Praia dos Tamarindos or Tamarind beach, on the Northern tip is probably among the top three beaches in Sao Tome.  The sand is incredibly soft.

The beach is usually frequented more by locals than foreign tourists. It is also a popular place where locals picnic, frolic and play soccer.

The name is due to the large number of tamarind trees around the beach.  Plenty of palm trees hogging the shore line

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There are innumerable secret spots, but more about them in my next blog on the hidden gems of bewitching Sao Tome.