Visiting Picão and Roça Paciência
Picão
Príncipe Island – São Tomé and Príncipe
Tucked between forested slopes and the gentle hum of coastal life, the community of Picão offers travellers a glimpse of everyday Príncipe — a blend of agriculture, fishing traditions and slow-paced village rhythms. Though modest in size, Picão carries an unexpectedly lively spirit, shaped by its people, its crafts and its close relationship with the nearby Roça Paciência.
A small community with a mixed heartbeat
Picão is classified as a small, fixed settlement, yet its economy is surprisingly varied. Farming, fishing and local services form the backbone of daily life, making it a dynamic stop within the island's network of rural communities.
Despite its location in a more natural and protected part of Príncipe — it is one of the settlements listed within the island's UNESCO Biosphere Reserve — Picão shares a slightly more urban profile with nearby communities such as Sundi, Aeroporto and Porto Real. Visitors will notice a sense of structure and movement here that contrasts with the remoteness found elsewhere on the island.
Where Picão meets Paciência
Picão is closely tied to Roça Paciência, a former satellite plantation of the historic Roça Sundy. Many locals even refer to the community as Roça Picão/Paciência, reflecting how the two identities blend.
Though the old plantation buildings may appear abandoned at first glance, Roça Paciência remains an important workspace for the community, especially through initiatives that keep local tradition alive.
One highlight is the Roça Paciência Handicraft Cooperative, a group of artisans who transform palm fronds into beautifully woven baskets and other pieces of traditional cestaria. Their craftsmanship often features in island events, where it draws admiration for both skill and creativity.
Cultural encounters here are intimate and warm — visitors have been welcomed to the rhythm of the Puita do Picão, a local musical expression that sets the tone for gatherings.
Food is another hallmark: community meals often include freshly grilled fish, accompanied by staples such as matabala, banana, sweet potato, cassava and simple boiled vegetables — hearty flavours that reflect the land and sea around Picão.
A quiet corner where culture and nature meet
Roça Paciência, sitting within the Picão area, may seem weathered at first sight, but it is deeply connected to the surrounding landscape and to the people who rely on it. For travellers, it offers a peaceful retreat and a window into the island's agricultural legacy, wrapped in lush scenery.
Practical travellers should note that reaching Picão generally involves following the N1 road, and those coming from Praia Banana can expect about a 30-minute ride by local cuca minibus. From the drop-off point, a short walk or a brief taxi ride leads into the heart of the community.
Why visit?
Picão is not a tourist hotspot — and that is precisely its charm. It's a chance to step into the rhythm of local life, meet artisans who carry forward traditional crafts, hear music that resonates with community pride, and experience rural hospitality at its most genuine.
For travellers seeking authenticity in a natural, unpolished setting, Picão and Roça Paciência offer one of Príncipe's most quietly rewarding stops.
Roça Paciência
Príncipe Island – São Tomé and Príncipe
Perched on a gentle hilltop in northern Príncipe, Roça Paciência is one of the island's historic plantations and a compelling example of how Príncipe is reimagining its colonial past through sustainability, organic agriculture and community-led creativity. It's a quiet place with deep roots — and one that rewards travellers looking for authenticity over polish.
A hilltop roça with a story to tell
Roça Paciência lies north of Santo António, on the road toward Belo Monte, and was one of nineteen officially identified roças on the island in 2013.
During the golden era of cocoa exports, Paciência served as a satellite plantation to the grand Roça Sundy. Like many roças, it followed the classic terreiro model: a main courtyard surrounded by administrative buildings, storage facilities and drying sheds — all arranged on a privileged high point overlooking the surrounding landscape.
Although Paciência is the only one of three commonly visited roças not converted into a hotel, its structures still whisper the elegance it once had. A bridge marks the entryway, leading visitors into a broad central terreiro where the administrator's house and cocoa-drying pavilions remain in reasonably good condition. Lower down, the old hospital — now heavily eroded — stands as a quiet reminder of the plantation's more distant past.
In recent years, a primary school and kindergarten were added to the central courtyard, giving the site a renewed sense of life and purpose.
A living hub of sustainable agriculture
Today, Roça Paciência plays a pivotal role in Príncipe's sustainability model, thanks largely to the HBD Príncipe Group, which owns the property.
While Roça Sundy became a boutique hotel, Paciência serves as HBD's agricultural hub — the heart of its organic farming operations. The plantation produces a variety of organic vegetables, fruits and specialty crops that supply the group's hotels.
The site is also home to the creation of Paciência Organic body products, such as coconut oil used in the spa at Sundy Praia. These projects form part of HBD's broader vision of transforming old plantations into engines of sustainable agriculture.
A highlight of community life here is the cestaria (basketry) workshop, set in the former sanzalas. The Roça Paciência Handicraft Cooperative — renowned across the island — uses palm fronds to craft intricate baskets and decorative pieces. Their work is frequently showcased during cultural and environmental events.
The surrounding community, known as Picão/Paciência, also preserves local traditions such as the lively Puita do Picão, a distinctive musical and dance expression.
A peaceful stop on Príncipe's ecotourism trail
Roça Paciência appeals particularly to travellers drawn to quiet, nature-focused experiences. Visiting the roça feels like stepping back in time while still witnessing the island's sustainable future taking shape.
Agriculture enthusiasts can explore small plantations of cocoa, vanilla, coffee and local seasonal produce. In the past, Paciência hosted the "Route of Four Flavours", a tasting experience featuring products derived from cocoa, vanilla, coffee and coconut.
Though some visitors initially perceive the site as abandoned, spending time here reveals a place busy with community activity and ecological purpose — a peaceful retreat surrounded by lush greenery and the island's signature biodiversity.
Access is straightforward: the roça lies within the community of Picão, reachable via a roughly 30-minute cuca (minibus) ride from Praia Banana, followed by a short walk or quick taxi ride.
On special occasions, visitors may be greeted with Puita performances, basketry demonstrations and a warm sense of welcome typical of this part of Príncipe.