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Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
1. Never give or take anything with the left hand. Never eat or drink with the left hand.
2. Dress is casual but modest.
3. Public displays of affection are frowned upon.
4. Expect to haggle in the markets.
Note to Visitors to Equatorial Guinea:
Traffic stops, as well as police and military roadblocks are common. Traffic stops may be on any pretext, such as making an illegal turn or driving a dirty vehicle. Travelers should be prepared to accept a traffic citation, which must be paid at police headquarters. Travelers are advised not to offer money to police on the road. If stopped at a roadblock, always cooperate with local officials. Motorists should be aware that security forces frequently use roadblocks to solicit money, especially around the holidays. Roadblocks are also used to control the movements of political dissidents. Travelers should not pick up hitchhikers on the roads as police at roadblocks may infer involvement in the hitchhiker's affairs.
Visitors should take care to observe the strict laws regulating photography. Special permits from the Ministry of Information and Tourism (or from the local delegation outside Malabo) are required for virtually all types of photography. Police or security officials may charge a fine, attempt to take a violator into custody or seize the camera and film of persons photographing the Presidential Palace and its environs, military installations, government buildings, airports, harbors and other areas.
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