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Malabo Travel Guide - Travel S Helper

Malabo

travel guide

Malabo is the capital of Equatorial Guinea’s Bioko Norte province. It’s on the north shore of Bioko, historically known as Bubis, on the island of Bioko.

The population of the city is estimated to be 187,302.

Spanish (the dominant language and nearly the only one spoken), French, and Portuguese are the official languages of the city and the nation.

Malabo is Equatorial Guinea’s oldest city. Many buildings in the city were constructed in the style of colonial architecture under the Spanish control, and they coexist alongside contemporary structures constructed after independence. The square shape of the central streets reveals the old notion of a modern metropolis with no pedestrian spaces. The city also has a lot of parks and recreational opportunities. In a mix of architectural Westernization and Africannism, this phenomena generates a sensation of architecture that is dampened by the low height of structures.

The Museum of Modern Art in Equatorial Guinea is a notable museum that houses traditional and modern art from the nation and the continent. The National Library, which was constructed in 1916, is also located in the city.

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Malabo | Introduction

Malabo – Info Card

POPULATION :  City: 187,302
FOUNDED :   1827
TIME ZONE :  WAT (UTC+1)
LANGUAGE :  Spanish 67.6% (official), other 32.4% (includes French (official)
RELIGION :  Catholic 80%,  Tribal religion 4%, Others ( Islam, Judaism) and unspecified 16%
AREA :  630 km2 (240 sq mi)
ELEVATION :  0 m (0 ft)
COORDINATES :  3°45′7.43″N 8°46′25.32″E
SEX RATIO :  Male: 51.22%
 Female: 48.78%
ETHNIC :  Fang 85.7%, Bubi 6.5%, Mdowe 3.6%, Annobon 1.6%, Bujeba 1.1%, other 1.4%
AREA CODE :  9
POSTAL CODE :
DIALING CODE :  +240 9
WEBSITE :  www.ayuntamientodemalabo.com

Climate of Malabo

The climate of Malabo is tropical monsoon.

Malabo receives 1,800 mm of rain each year on average. From December through February, the city has a distinct, though brief, dry season. The driest month is usually February, with 33 mm (0.2 in) of rain on average. It also has a long rainy season that lasts for the next nine months.

Daytime temperatures do not change much from one day to the next, and barely a few degrees throughout the course of the year. Every month of the year, the average low temperature is 21–22 degrees at night (excluding January, when the average low is 19 degrees).

Because of the clearer weather, January features colder nights and hotter days. Despite this, Malabo is one of the world’s gloomiest capitals, with just 1,180 hours of sunlight a year and a lot of fog even when it’s not raining.

Geography of Malabo

Malabo is located north of the island of Bioko, at 3° 45′ 7.43″ north latitude and 8° 46′ 25.32″ east longitude. The Cónsul River runs through Malabo’s south, and the hospital is close over the river to the south-west. Malabo International Airport, which has been renovated and is situated around 9 kilometers from the city center, is located west of the city. Bays and capes may be seen north of the city on the coast. The first is the Punta de la Unidad Africana, which is situated directly behind the Presidential Palace and encompasses the whole eastern portion of Malabo Bay. Punta Europa, situated near the airport in the west of the city, is another significant cape.

Economy of Malabo

Malabo is located north of the island of Bioko, at 3° 45′ 7.43″ north latitude and 8° 46′ 25.32″ east longitude. The Cónsul River runs through Malabo’s south, and the hospital is close over the river to the south-west. Malabo International Airport, which has been renovated and is situated around 9 kilometers from the city center, is located west of the city. Bays and capes may be seen north of the city on the coast. The first is the Punta de la Unidad Africana, which is situated directly behind the Presidential Palace and encompasses the whole eastern portion of Malabo Bay. Punta Europa, situated near the airport in the west of the city, is another significant cape.

How To Travel To Malabo

Get In - By Plane

Malabo International Airport serves the city. International carriers include Iberia, Spanair, Air France, KLM, Kenya Airways, Aero Contractors, Royal Air Maroc, and Lufthansa, as well as a few smaller airlines that fly to neighboring nations as well as the mainland (Bata). Travel on these domestic carriers should be carefully examined, since there is no competence in Equatorial Guinea to enforce airworthiness requirements, and air traffic control is at most mediocre. Ethiopian Airlines, the airline with the most international destinations in Africa, travels three times each week with connections via places such as Douala and its main base in Addis Abeba. Every Tuesday and Saturday, Aero Contractors flies from Lagos, Nigeria to Malabo through Libreville. This route is presently served by a Boeing 737-400.

Get In - By boat

Ferries go from Douala and Bata to the port of Malabo.

How To Get Around In Malabo

Malabo is easily accessible by foot. Taxis are inexpensive. During the day, XAF500 should bring you wherever in the city. You should be able to go from the city to the Marathon Oil facility for XAF3,000. Expect to pay extra at night or when the cops are out enforcing traffic restrictions.

Prices In Malabo

Tourist (Backpacker) – 33 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:meals in cheap restaurant, public transport, cheap hotel.

Tourist (regular) – 100 $ per day. Estimated cost per 1 day including:mid-range meals and drinks,transportation, hotel.

MARKET / SUPERMARKET

Milk 1 liter $ 1.10
Tomatoes 1 kg $ 3.40
Cheese 0.5 kg $
Apples 1 kg $
Oranges 1 kg $
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $ 1.05
Bottle of Wine 1 bottle $ 9.50
Coca-Cola 2 liters $ 1.10
Bread 1 piece $
Water 1.5 l $ 1.05

RESTAURANTS

Dinner (Low-range) for 2 $
Dinner (Mid-range) for 2 $
Dinner (High-range) for 2 $
Mac Meal or similar 1 meal $ 7.50
Water 0.33 l $ 0.70
Cappuccino 1 cup $ 3.80
Beer (Imported) 0.33 l $
Beer (domestic) 0.5 l $
Coca-Cola 0.33 l $ 0.75
Coctail drink 1 drink $

ENTERTAINMENT

Cinema 2 tickets $ 6.00
Gym 1 month $
Men’s Haircut 1 haircut $
Theatar 2 tickets $
Mobile (prepaid) 1 min. $
Pack of Marlboro 1 pack $1.75

TRANSPORTATION

Gasoline 1 liter $ 0.85
Taxi Start $ 0.90
Taxi 1 km $
Local Transport 1 ticket $ 0.30

Beaches in Malabo

Bioko Diversity Program

Malabo and the Bioko island are well-known for their unique plant life. A large portion of this plant life is centered around the shore. As a consequence, the Guinean government has committed significant resources to the development of biodiversity projects. Visitors to the region may book guided tours of the beaches. There is a monkey sanctuary nearby, and boat cruises around the beaches and across the surrounding rivers are also available.

Arena Blanca

Arena Blanca, Bioko Island’s sole white sand beach, is an hour’s drive from Malabo. The beach offers a unique combination of sports and environmental walks. During the dry season, visitors are urged to wander along the pathways that line the beach. Hiking on such paths will expose you to a plethora of butterflies as well as a beautiful view of the water. Swimming is advised for visitors to take advantage of the clean water. Warm water and mild currents may be found on the beaches. They provide a fun experience for swimmers and are a terrific spot for kids. Furthermore, Arena Blanca boasts a broad choice of low-cost eateries that provide fresh fish. The seafood is caught right on the bay.

Moraka Playa

Moraka Playa is a black sand beach located in Ureca, a town located just outside of Malabo. Moraka Beach is regarded as one of the most beautiful on the island. The island’s extinct volcanoes are responsible for the black sand. The turtles that reside in this region are what distinguishes it from the rest of the island. All year, four different varieties of turtles come here to lay eggs. Bioko’s people are more traditional than those on neighboring islands. They keep the island moving slowly in order to keep it off the radar. The turtle migration has benefitted from this since there are less individuals to interrupt their habits. Turtles have been laying their eggs on the beach in the same manner for hundreds of years.

Sights & Landmarks In Malabo

Malabo is a city that has preserved colonial-era structures such as the Presidential Palace and the Malabo Palace of Justice. Other colonial structures may be seen in the downtown area, however they are as dilapidated as the wooden buildings of Nigeria’s 19th century and Rey Boncoro streets.

Notable structures include the Cathedral of Santa Isabel, which is located on the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malabo. It is a neo-Gothic temple that was constructed between 1897 and 1916. It was designed by Luis Segarra Llairadó and funded by contributions from the Spanish government and loyal donations. It features two 40-meter-tall towers. Perhaps the same Antoni Gaud will handle the plans.

Other attractions include La Gaditana, originally known as Finca Amilivia before to 1918, the Casa Teodolita, built in 1902 and one of the city’s oldest structures, the Malabo City Hall, the Church of Elá Nguema, the Independence Square, the Casa de Espaa, and the port bay.

  • Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Moka, Bioko Island. Visitors, including tourists and schoolchildren, are invited to attend instructional activities. A beautiful set of four backlit posters made by BBPP Outreach Coordinator Jessica Weinberg and financed by an International Primate Protection League grant highlight the necessity of curbing the bushmeat trade. Jessica Weinberg’s paintings, as well as post cards depicting Bioko Island fauna, is for sale.

Staff at the Research Centre can arrange for tours to nearby sights (the Cascades of the Ilyadi River and the Pico Biao Crater Lake). Moka is a good site to explore and study Bioko Island’s rich flora and wildlife due to its mild environment and central position.

  • Universidad Nacional de Guinea Ecuatorial, Luba Road. The UNGE campus is centered on a grassy plaza featuring a statue of Teodoro Obiang, Equatorial Guinea’s current president. The earliest buildings on the UNGE campus were constructed by the Spanish during their reign over the island. The original structures resemble a Spanish colonial architectural style, with arches and low spreading buildings used often. The classrooms of the university’s older section are arranged in a semi-circle around the lawn. A new building in a more contemporary form has being constructed on the university’s south side. The walls are light in color and reflective, which reduces the amount of passive solar heat generated in the structure. The rooms are spacious and feature huge windows that allow for plenty of natural light. The structure is square and shiny. The university has a tiny library.

Food & Restaurants In Malabo

  • Deme’s Favorite Chicken Place, Malabo, Equatorial Guinea. Get the fried plantain (sweeter is preferable) and the chicken. Serve with picante sauce and mayonnaise on top.
  • Betty’s BBQ, aka Casa Teodorita. Come here if you like ribs. A wide unmarked gate near the presidential compound downtown leads to a pleasant and small outdoor dining area where the Matron (Betty) serves the tastiest ribs in the real world. In terms of amenities, it’s rather basic (her 12-year-old assistants will take your money to fetch drinks from local stores). Relaxing environment, delectable cuisine, and an all-around wonderful sanctuary inside Malabo. For meals only, ask a local for directions.
  • Bantu. Chinese cuisine in downtown Malabo. Friendly personnel, spotless looks, good cuisine, free wireless, and two TVs showing either strange Chinese music shows or European sports. A dependable alternative for every situation.

Nightlife In Malabo

  • Candy Irish Pub. This tavern, which is solely “Irish” in decor, is located in the centre of Malabo, near the harbor, across the street from the Cultural Center. Drink foreign beers and socialize with locals and expatriates, mainly to de-stress after another meaningless job. The beverages are somewhat priced ($6 for a draft pint), but it’s still less pricey than New York. On Fridays, there is an exceptional band that performs.
  • Bahia Sound. Bahia Sound, one of Malabo’s most popular nightclubs, is located on a prominent peninsula downtown, with terrace views of the sea and Punta Europa in the distance. If you want to have a peaceful drink while thinking on the choices that got you to Malabo in the first place, don’t arrive before midnight. Things flare up about midnight, when a sizable proportion of Malabo’s expat community shows there and becomes intoxicated. Clean restrooms and a nice crowd.
  • El Barcoaka The Casino, Airport road. It’s a casino in the form of a boat. Swanky ambience and a smorgasbord of Malabo’s socioeconomic stratum crammed into 4-5 gaming tables and a decent tiny bar. While you’re playing, you’ll get free beverages.

Festivals & Events In Malabo

Malabo Festivals honor the local culture and sites in the region. Malabo is the capital city of Equatorial Guinea and is home to people from all walks of life. As a response, they have created a diverse range of activities to commemorate their ancestry and the culture that surrounds them.

Malabo Hip Hop Festival

Every year in December, the Malabo Hip Hop Festival takes place for ten days. The Institute of Cultural Expression is a popular venue for the event. Attendees gather from all around Africa and the Hip Hop globe. Every year, the event showcases the top French and Spanish bands. These artists come from Europe as well as Africa. Aside from live performances, there are a variety of seminars for aspiring artists.

Festival of Guinea

The Festival of Guinea is held in Conakry, Guinea, across the bay. This event is a must-see for anybody interested in the history of Guinea. The festival’s exhibits span from prehistoric periods and the tribes who used to occupy the country through European colonialism and Guinea’s war for independence. There are a lot of specialists available to answer any questions regarding Guinea and its people. The event is a fantastic site to investigate for historians interested in slave trade routes or persons looking for their ancestors. For those interested in African art, there is also a symposium. Visitors may enjoy performances by the local ballet while admiring the art or listening to a lesson on Guinean history. Meals reflect the local culture. The Festival is well-known for its educational, entertaining, and delicious cuisine.

Yam Festival

The Yam Festival is a significant festival in Western Africa. Every year, tribal ladies from all around Ghana attend this celebration. The event began as a pagan custom and has grown into a community celebration of farming. Every year, the event begins with ladies strolling the streets while balancing yams on their heads. When they arrive at the celebration site, they begin by creating an altar to their ancestors and sacrificing yams in their honor. The males, dressed in bright costumes, perform traditional dances. Outsiders who attend the event will have an amazing time.

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