Santo António

Santo António is the main settlement of Príncipe Island in São Tomé and Príncipe. It has about 2,600 residents (2012), which is about one-third of the population of the island.

Understand
Príncipe is wilder, greener and less inhabited than São Tomé. Birds like mannikins and drongos, whales, and turtles thrive here.

History
Santo António was founded in 1502, and became a centre of sugarcane cultivation. In 1695, the Fort of Ponta da Mina was built at the entrance of the bay of Santo António. The town and fortress were destroyed by French privateers in 1706.

Climate
Santo António has a tropical savanna climate, with little temperature variation year round. The average temperature is 24.8 °C. The average annual precipitation is 1872 mm, with the least precipitation in July and the most in October.

Buy
The supermercado sells fish hooks and beer, but not much else.

Eat

 * Rosa Pão, near waterfront in town. Dishes featuring lots of fish/seafood and rice. Daily 8AM-11PM. +239 991 6621

Go next

 * Ribeira Izé, the ruins of a slaving station built in the 15th century.
 * São Tomé