Need cash when I land, best place in Sao Tome and Principe? Airport or places in the city?
The airport exchange is a scam. I went there once and got a horrible rate. The official exchange rate is not what you want to use. You need to find a trusted local to help you exchange cash at the unofficial market rate. This is the only way to get a good rate. You can find people in Sao Tome who will exchange US dollars for you. The key is to be discreet and make sure you have the latest and cleanest US dollar bills with you.
The airport is the worst place to exchange money in Sao Tome and Principe. You'll get a terrible rate. Your best bet is to find a reputable currency exchange center in the city of Sao Tome. The exchange rate on the street, while unofficial, is often much better than the official bank rate. You must have cash on you, as credit cards don't work and ATMs are unreliable. Just bring a good amount of US dollars and use them to exchange for the local Dobra (STN) in the city.
This is a tricky one. The airport exchange counters will give you a terrible rate. My advice is to carry new US dollar bills or Euros and exchange them at a bank in the city. You'll get a much better rate than at the airport. You should also be aware that there are no international ATMs in the country. This means you must bring enough cash with you for your entire trip. Don't rely on getting money there.
You need to be very careful with this one. Airport exchange counters are known for giving terrible rates. However, the best option is to bring a good amount of US dollars or Euros with you in cash and exchange them. ATMs are extremely unreliable and may not work with international cards at all. I can confirm there are no international ATMs. It is best to exchange your currency at a bank in the city, which will give you a better rate than the airport. The local currency is the Dobra.