Flag Guinea
 

       
      GENERAL  
       
       

    • Always greet people. It is considered very important in Guinea. Not to greet people and/or going straight into conversation is considered an insult. 'Bonjour' or 'Bonsoir' is the common greeting followed by asking 'How are you' – 'Comment allez-vous?' The Muslim greeting 'Salaam Alaikum (Peace be with you)' is also used.  
       
       
    • When addressing others, Guineans use titles and so would consider it polite if you did in return, ie Monsieur, Madame, Monsieur le Directeur etc.  
       
       
    • It is advisable while the border conflicts are occurring, not to photograph in towns. It is forbidden to photograph any thing that maybe considered a strategic building ie ports, army barracks, airports etc. Remember some people have very special feelings about having their photograph taken so always enquire first.  
       
       
    • Check Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before travelling.  
       
       
    • Always carry an identity card or passport with you wherever you go. If stopped you are obliged to show ID.  
       
       
    • Only the larger hotels and some airlines accept credit cards.  
       
       
    • Enter next of kin details into the back of your passport.  
       
      AIRPORT  
       
       
    • Always keep the identity tags given to you when checking in your luggage. These are required to identify your baggage when it arrives at Conakry airport.  
       
       
    • Carry your immunisation book, as you will be asked to show that your yellow fever immunisation is valid. If you cannot produce it you risk having to either pay a ‘fine’ or take the injection.  
       
       
    • There are currency restrictions. The Guinean francs are not convertible outside Guinea. You may only carry up to a hundred thousand with you as you leave. Entering Guinea any money in excess of $5,000 or its equivalent in other currencies should be declared and must be accounted for on leaving. Only $5,000 or its equivalent can be carried out of the country at any one time.  
       
      MEDICAL ADVICE  
       
       
    • Be insured as all medical attention will be payable often in advance.  
       
       
    • There are few medical centres in the interior and those that you do find are very basic.  
       
       
    • There are air and waterborne diseases. Please check doctors advice before coming to Guinea.  
       
      INTERIOR TRAVEL  
       
       
    • Do not expect to find many English speakers outside Conakry and remember that people in the interior quite often do not speak French either. They speak their own native language.  
       
       
    • If possible avoid travelling at night. The road barrages are more difficult to spot, as they are not lit up. There are no road markings on most roads. Many cars, motorbikes etc circulate with little or no lights. People are hard to see if they are wearing dark clothes. It is not customary to push a vehicle off the road if it has broken down so you often come across stationary vehicles that are abandoned and unlit.  
       
       
    • All payments in the interior are by cash. Credit cards are not accepted anywhere.