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When you think of a tropical island archipelago, you might picture crowded beaches, sprawling resorts, and staged cultural shows. The Bijagós Archipelago, however, is something entirely different.

Located just 62 miles (100 kilometers) off the coast of Guinea-Bissau, this collection of over 80 islands feels like an entirely separate world—one where time slows and the rhythms of the land and sea shape every moment.

On the Bijagos, you will find matriarchal societies, salt-water hippos, and miles of untouched beaches.

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