Varela | Wild Camping

March 8th, 2024 by unacceptablesibling30

the best place on our trip!!! Nice and clean beach with shady spots. Stayed 4 peaceful days. We made the trak with two FWD Vans and one 4x4. The last part of the pist is really sandy, but with enough speed we made it. What a heaven (:

March 14th, 2023 by socomfyinafrica

Very very nice spot! We spent there 5 very good days. I would advise you not to walk barefoot… I got tunga penetrans there, nothing to worry about but be aware of it :)

January 29th, 2023 by theatlastrotters

Very quiet and nice spot although we were visited several times by locals and some foreign NGOs. We met a fisherman named Mamadou. He was so gentle offered some coconuts and a nice fishing afternoon that ended with a barbecue.We definitely recommend it!

December 7th, 2022 by 76Overland

Agree with other replies, very nice beacg where you can easily stay multiple days. The locals are friendly and reserved (aka they leave you to yourself). There is shade, the beach is stunning and the water is just perfect. we spend 3 nights, it's paradise!

September 29th, 2022 by travelburners

One of our Favourite spot ! paradise ! only locals super friendly will come to introduce themselves. Ousmane is definitely a friend after this week.
A lot of funny and respectful childrens really well educated will come to swim with you, so cute !

March 5th, 2020 by joriverkleij

Beautiful beach, definitely worth the 56km drive. Took us 2 and a half hours with a Mercedes sprinter. Didn't need 4x4 until the sandy part

February 24th, 2020 by markus.hannich

This is paradise! Road not easy but possible for even big trucks. Last meters soft sand. No need to go so far. Go down to the beach as soon as you can see it (after the hotel). Shopping possible by walking 10min to the village. The hotels serve good meals too. Almost no people around. Some fishers but very friendly brought me coconuts for free :) Love this spot! Stayed 5days :)

January 19th, 2020 by hi

It’s true! What a paradise. But not possible by 2WD. Park you car, in case of 2WD, and check the “road”. With speed you will make it through the sand but make also sure you have a 4x4 back up around who pulls you back.

March 22nd, 2019 by e.kiltz

lovely place with more than kind and unstressful locals visitin from time to time. water is wonderful and place is totally relaxed.

March 18th, 2019 by our_african_odyssey

This place is paradise! We meant to stay one night and ended up staying three nights. Would’ve stayed longer if we had enough food supplies. The best beach we’ve come across on our overland journey from London so far. The road to get here is a dirt / sand road for 56 kms which took us over 2 hours from the tarmac road. The last part is extremely sandy so would be a challenge for 2wds. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THOUGH!

April 12th, 2018 by info

very hard to get there, especially if you have 3,80 meters, but really a dream place!

February 10th, 2017 by jamespaulallen

Lovely beach and friendly locals, not that you see many of them. Road to varela is 56km of dirt road with bits of sand. doable with 2wd, no problem for m/c or 4wd. At the end of the village keep going into the forest and then the road forks after 300m, take the right hand option where most of the tyre tracks lead. The road then continues to some buildings about another 300m. they're is a left turning, take this if you're 2wd. Down here it isn't that pretty to camp but the beach is still nice. if you continue along the road instead of turning left, then the sand gets really quite deep and loose from previous tracks, with no option to 'make your own route'. I gave up half way to the major shade of the palm tree line part of the beach. camped under the sole tree big enough for shade for 2 km in either direction. If riding an motorcycle, then this route is doable, but assess the suitability for you're bike, tyres and skill. I'm not a great rider on sand, but I'm OK. bike was a XT660R with heidenau tyres.

May 24th, 2016 by dieda-unterwegs.net

nicest beach in Guinea Bissau mainland.
A long way on unpaved road but it is worth to do it. It is also for 2wd cars no problem but than stay closer to varela. Further on the sand gets deep.
There are a lot of places direct at the beach with shade areas. Beach is very clean with nice sand.
First time we stay here was 1st of Mai when every year a big festival is. If it is in your time so do not miss the amazing event.
Second time we were here end of Mai. During the week we had the beach for us only a cow was there with us
On weekend some expats come here.

April 30th, 2016 by pretoriuseugene

Camping along the beach under palm trees. This is a true tropical paradise.