Guinea

U.S. Embassy Conakry, Guinea
The U.S. Embassy is located in Koloma, Conakry, east of Hamdallaye Circle near Bambeto Circle at the following address:
P.O. Box 603
Transversale No. 2
Centre Administratif de Koloma
Commune de Ratoma Conakry, Republic of Guinea
Telephone: +(224) 655-10-4000
Emergency after-hours telephone: +(224) 657-10-4311
Fax: +(224) 655-10-42-97
Email: Conconakry@state.govEmail: Conconakry@state.gov

The Government of Guinea requires all non-Guinean citizens age 18 and over entering the country to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Guinea.

Visit the Embassy of Guinea website for the most current visa information.

A passport, visa, and international vaccination record (World Health Organization card), with a current yellow fever vaccination, are all required to enter Guinea.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Guinea.

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction, and customs regulations on our websites.

Crime: Burglaries and break-ins are common, as are purse snatchings and other street robberies. Many robberies occur in taxis. Follow routine personal security considerations such as locking doors, windows, and employ security alarms. U.S. citizen employees of the Embassy are prohibited from using local taxis.

Motorists have occasionally encountered improvised checkpoint barricades manned by uniformed military or police personnel who demand money and search through personal belongings, confiscating items of value. See Victims of Crime section to report incidents.

Do not accept unsolicited offers of assistance at the airport or hotels as these individuals may be seeking opportunities to rob visitors of their bags, purses, or wallets. You should arrange to be met at the airport by hotel personnel or business contacts.

Keep car doors locked at all times to prevent carjacking and vehicle intrusion. Only roll car windows down enough to communicate when necessary. Soldiers staffing checkpoints at night and police at intersections during the day will often solicit bribes. Display requested documents, but do not surrender them, as officials may take them if bribes are not paid. You may wish to keep a laminated copy of your documents with you that can be shown in place of your actual passports or identification cards.

Demonstrations: Political tensions remain high since the 2021 military coup.  Protests around governance, utility and fuel problems, and labor disputes are common, causing disruptions to traffic and commerce.  Some prior protests have escalated into violence.  Demonstrators may attack vehicles that attempt to pass through or around the protests, resulting in serious injuries and vehicular damage. Criminals are known to take advantage of the resulting traffic congestion to rob drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. Uniformed security forces may also extort drivers and passengers during these incidents.

You should avoid demonstrations and exercise caution in the vicinity of any large gatherings.

Scams: See the Department of State and the FBI pages for information on scams.

Commercial scams are on the rise and can create legal difficulties for U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens have reported being detained by local authorities based on complaints by local business partners and/or as an attempt to extract additional payment. Scams can also target private business personnel and non-governmental organization employees, often with offers to sell diamonds or gold. In general, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. The funds cannot be recovered.

Other common scams include:

• Romance/Online dating 
• Money transfers 
• Lucrative sales 
• Gold purchase 
• Contracts with promises of large commissions 

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victims of sexual assault should first contact the U.S. Embassy.

Report crimes in person at the nearest police station and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(224) 655-10-4000. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can:

• help you find appropriate medical care
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide our information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance.

Tourism: No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance as the cost of medical evacuation to the United States or Europe ranges between $50,000 to over $200,000. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Guinea are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. It is common for criminal cases to take months, if not years, to reach a verdict.

U.S. citizens have been arrested for assault after fighting with police officers who stopped them for questioning. If you are stopped by the police, follow their instructions and request that the U.S. Embassy be notified immediately.

U.S. citizens have been arrested or detained for non-payment of local debts to individuals and businesses.

U.S. citizens have been arrested or detained for illegal import/export activities related to mining products. 

The U.S. Embassy cannot represent you, pay your legal costs, pay your debts, provide legal advice, or get you out of jail.

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

Dual Nationality: If you hold Guinean nationality in addition to U.S. nationality, and are arrested or detained in Guinea, the Guinean government is not required to provide notification or access to the U.S. Embassy. However, Embassy personnel will request access should we learn of an arrest. Find more information on travelers with dual nationality here https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/Dual-Nationality-Travelers.html.

Customs: Guinean customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning the temporary import or export of items such as firearms, antiquities, medications, business equipment, mining products, and ivory. Some items may require a special export permit. You should contact the Embassy of Guinea in Washington, DC for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Currency: The local currency is the Guinean franc (GNF). Travelers may not depart Guinea carrying more than 100,000 GNF (currently about $11.00 USD) or more than $5,000 USD or the equivalent in Euros. Guinea has a cash economy. ATMs are available and credit cards are accepted at some larger hotels and larger supermarkets in Conakry, but should be used only at reputable hotels, stores, and banks. Cash advances on Visa credit cards are available at various branches of BICIGUI, a local bank. Inter-bank fund transfers are possible at BICIGUI branches but can be difficult and expensive. Money transfers from the United States have worked successfully in the past. Western Union has numerous offices in Conakry and throughout Guinea, and MoneyGram also has an office in downtown Conakry.

Photography: Visitors should restrict photography to private gatherings and should obtain explicit permission from the Guinean government before photographing military and transportation facilities, government buildings, or public works. Photographing without permission in any public area may result in arrest or a dangerous confrontation with people who find being photographed offensive.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers: Same-sex sexual relations are criminalized in Guinea. Penalties include fines and jail time of up to three years in prison. 

See our LGBTQI+ Travel Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: The law prohibits discrimination against persons with physical, sensory, intellectual, and mental disabilities in education, employment, air travel and other transportation, access to health care, or the provision of government services. However, the law is not enforced. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States. The most common types of accessibility include accessible facilities, information, and communication/access to services/ease of movement or access. Expect accessibility to be extremely limited in public transportation, lodging, communication/information, and general infrastructure. These limitations are notable across the country.

• Travelers with disabilities should make careful arrangements prior to travel for any necessary equipment, devices, or service providers as these are generally unavailable in Guinea.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips.

Women Travelers: Rape, spousal rape, and domestic violence are all crimes in Guinea punishable with fines or imprisonment. However, these crimes are common and underreported. Indictments are rare and police are unlikely to intervene.

Female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) is illegal. However, abundant evidence exists that FGM/C is still being practiced despite the ban.

See our travel tips for Women Travelers.

The Government of Guinea requires all non-Guinean citizens age 18 and over entering the country to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Guinea. 

Medical facilities are poorly equipped and extremely limited, both in the capital city and throughout Guinea. Medicines are in short supply and of questionable quality, with counterfeiting of medication a serious issue. Sterility of equipment should not be assumed, and treatment is frequently unreliable. Some private medical facilities provide a better range of treatment options than public facilities but are still well below western standards. Trauma care is extremely limited. Food and water safety concerns are among the most common causes of illnesses in the country. Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, are common.

For emergency services in Guinea, dial 117. 

Ambulance services are not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas. Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.  

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas.  

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. Medical evacuation from Guinea to Europe or the United States can cost in the hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If traveling with prescription medication, always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

Malaria is prevalent throughout the country. Antimalarial prophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.

You should:

• Carry and use insect repellents containing either 20 percent DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon, eucalyptus, or IR3535.
• Treat clothing and tents with permethrin.
• Sleep in screened or air-conditioned rooms under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets.
• Use antimalarial prophylaxis.

The following diseases are present in Guinea:

• Diarrheal illness
• Yellow fever
• Dengue
• Rabies
• Meningoccocal meningitis
• Measles

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Strongly consider optional vaccinations by CDC for West Africa and Guinea.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Air pollution is a significant problem in Conakry, Guinea. Consider the potential impact of seasonal smog and heavy particulate pollution on your health and consult your doctor before traveling if necessary.

The air quality varies considerably and fluctuates with the seasons. It is typically at its worst in the dry season, which begins in late October and continues into late May. People at the greatest risk from particle pollution exposure include: 

• Infants, children, and teens 
• People over 65 years of age 
• People with lung disease such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema 
• People with heart disease or diabetes 
• People who work or are active outdoors 

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals here https://gn.usembassy.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/218/Local-Clinics-and-Hospitals-Conakry-12-2018.pdf. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Border Crossings: Most border crossings are controlled jointly by Guinean armed forces, gendarmes, police, and immigration officials, but are lightly patrolled. Complete paperwork and visas are required to cross land borders.

Road Conditions and Safety: Guinea’s road network, which is only partially paved, is underdeveloped and unsafe. Roads and vehicles are poorly maintained, road signs are insufficient, and roads and vehicles are frequently unlit. Livestock and pedestrians create constant road hazards. These conditions worsen after dark. During the rainy season, generally from May to October, flash floods can make some roads temporarily impassable. The police and the military often set up roadblocks, making travel within and between cities difficult from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. 

Drivers and passengers of vehicles involved in accidents resulting in injury or death have experienced extra-judicial actions (i.e., mob attacks), official consequences such as fines and incarceration, and/or confrontations with the victim’s family.

Avoid traveling after dark outside of populated areas due to the risk of roadside crime, roadblocks, and road hazards. Roadside assistance is not available in Guinea.

Traffic Laws: Drivers in Guinea are generally unaware of traffic laws and routinely ignore road safety rules.

Public Transportation: Guinea has no reliable, safe public transportation. Taxis, including small cars and larger vans, are poorly maintained and overcrowded. Taxis frequently stop and start without regard to other vehicles, drive down the wrong side of the road, and weave in and out of lanes. Motorcycles overwhelm the roads and are dangerous to riders and other vehicles and pedestrians. Hired vehicles and drivers are available from agencies at major hotels in Conakry.   

See our Road Safety page for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Guinea, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Guinea’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Guinea should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency broadcast warnings.