Hotel Campismo Praia Grande

It's a magical, peaceful place. Very good coffee :-)

Everything

The calmness of the scenic beach and whole camping, built with a lot of love and care with local techniques and preserving the way of living without feeling like a turistic bubble. Genuine and beautiful place in direct contact with nature and wilderness. The walks on the beach, homemade dinners, surfing in the warm water, kayaking on the river and the feel of slow living really was something. The owner is super welcoming and makes sure you feel at home. Don’t miss out on this place!

Nothing to report, all was amazing!

So peaceful, beautiful. Property opens onto Praia Grande, which is an untouched beach. Hope the place stays this way. You can see Pico cao grande from further down the beach and big sea turtles at night. The host was amazing, and communicated with warmth, friendliness and patience despite our language barrier (I didn't speak any Portuguese, Spanish or French!). He made sure I was comfortable and provided a lot of information on things to do around. Evening dinner was freshly cooked octopus from a nearby village. Simple and sumptuous. Lovely company, of like-minded travellers. The rooms have great natural ventilation, and it gets pretty cool at night. Outdoor showers to reconnect with nature. Would have loved to stay longer. Hope to come back and visit again. It felt like an adventure getting there, but the drive to and from Sao Tome city was totally fine - despite the southern roads and the rain, in a mini SUV with low clearance. Just go slow and enjoy the views. Highly recommend!!

The bungalows are right on the beach and with a gorgeous view of Pico Cao Grande from a cute lounge area at the back. The area of the property is very well kept and really beautiful and it’s truly a pleasure to wake up in this spot. The beach is very clean and excellent for surfing. The staff is very helpful and went out of their way to make us feel welcome and contribute to an enjoyable stay.

We mistakenly booked a room with no bathroom. It was our fault but I recommend double checking your room details because the room description summary included shower and toilet and only in the details it was apparent these were not in the room. The road to get to that entire part of the island is rough so it took more time than we anticipated to get there and move around thereafter. Last but not least, the outdoor lounging areas were a little dark. Would recommend adding some fairy lights here and there.

Tomas’ place is a little paradise on earth where you can disconnect from everyday life. The small wooden cabanas are tucked in the dense forest and blend perfectly with the surrounding flora. This is your typical simple accommodation in the nature. A very comfortable soft bed inside a wooden shack where the sound of the ocean lulls you to sleep. Mosquito nets are provided. Showers are under the wide sky and bathroom facilities are shared like in other campings. Meals are taken in the common room, the only room with wi-fi and where you can share your stories and adventures with fellow travelers. Dinner is homemade, cooked by a local lady living in a village nearby. Usually fresh grilled fish and delicious octopus. Tomas the owner is a friendly character with whom you can share a beer and he can organize local guides for hiking or other activities. This hidden gem has the perfect location for hikes to Pico Cao Grande or a trip to Porto Alegre and Ilheu das Rolas.

Nothing major to complain about.

I had an incredible stay at Hotel Campismo Praia Grande on São Tomé and Príncipe! The location is a true paradise, with stunning natural beauty all around. One of the highlights was the nearby Praia Grande, a magical spot where you can witness sea turtles coming to nest – an unforgettable experience! The accommodations were cozy and well-maintained, blending perfectly with the serene environment. The owner, Tomás, a friendly and welcoming, made the stay even more special with his warm hospitality and enthusiasm for the island. If you’re seeking a peaceful getaway surrounded by nature, this is the perfect destination!

This wilderness location just back from the beach adds an added dimension if you are touring Sao Tome. The simple and rustic houses on stilts blend well into their landscape and support the eco-credentials of the campsite. The beach is wide, clean and often empty, and known as a nesting spot for turtles. Bird and monkey watching around the site is good. Tomas the owner is a committed conservationist and an intriguing character. He will provide dinner for guests if asked (we ate there twice and both suppers were significant and substantial), whilst breakfast is healthy but simple. You will certianly remmebr this place and the interesting international crowd of travellers it attracts.

If you do not have your own transport, the transfer between Sao Tome city and down the west coast to the campsite will cost around 70 Euros each way. The site has free Wi-Fi but is only close to the main hut. Occasional vicious horseflies on the beach

Okay, this is a true gem. If you just look for a tropical paradise, look no further. The property is right on the beach, and what beach it is! Totally clean, wide, sandy, with roaring waves that put you to sleep each night. At night, in winter months, five species of turtles come to lay eggs and I saw them each night. There is a river cutting the beach in two; and when you cross the river, the beach becomes just impeccable. Magical. You can even enter the river that runs to the sea and swim upstream. The vistas you get around you are simply breathtaking. I have never seen such beauty in my life and I have traveled quite a bit. The bungalows are simple, but clean and comfortable. The mosquito net worked very well, but there were very few mosquitoes anyway there. I took the Malarone daily, but people around me did not. I asked around the long time residents and no-one ever had malaria, while living on the island. I would not take them pils again. There is a shared toilet and shower there - both very clean and functional. The water in the shower is cold-lukewarm- but you will pray it were colder, since it is hot outside. The owner Tomás is truly very helpful. He speaks ONLY Spanish and Portuguese, but with the help of google translate we were able to communicate very well. He is very helpful and will do anything to accommodate your wishes and needs. He helped with the trip to Isla das Rolas (the Equator trip) as well as with the trek to the foot of Cao Grande. Oh, by the way, you can see Cao Grande from the alcove on the premises or from the point where the river runs to the sea. Also from the river itself. There is wifi at the reception and around, and this wifi is good, reliable and strong. The entire complex is totally eco, powered by solar energy only. Breakfast is included in the price, but dinner can be ordered with Tomás. It is usually fish or octopus and, together with the breakfast can become a bit repetitive so I advise you to bring some provisions with you.

Like I said above, if you like varied breakfast or dinner, stock up in the capital (only there are good supermarkets) and use the fridge on premises. You may cook there your meals, too. This is just for your information. It is nothing negative, just a word of advice.

Alojamento bastante agradável mesmo em frente à praia. Os bungalows são básicos mas com o conforto necessário para dormir. Duche no exterior e casa de banho no exterior, mas limpos.