Cape Verde
Essentials
The answers you need first
Best for
Island-hopping, volcanic landscapes, beaches, hiking, music and Creole culture
Ideal first trip
9–14 full days
Main languages
Portuguese officially; Cape Verdean Creole widely spoken
Currency
Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
Emergency
Police 132; fire 131; ambulance 130
Main transport
Domestic flights, ferries, aluguer shared vans, taxis and rental cars
Climate
Dry, windy and subtropical, with strong differences between islands
Power
230 V, 50 Hz, Type C and F plugs
01
Is Cape Verde right for your trip?
Cape Verde suits travellers who value contrasting islands, Atlantic landscapes, hiking, beaches, music and a relaxed Creole rhythm.
The archipelago rewards travellers who choose a few islands and leave room for transport changes.
Santiago, São Vicente, Santo Antão and Fogo reveal far more than a resort-only stay.
- Excellent for island combinations.
- Strong hiking and music culture.
- Nine full days is a useful minimum.
02
When should you visit?
Cape Verde is warm and generally dry, but wind, sea conditions and brief seasonal rains affect activities and connections.
The cooler dry months are popular for walking; stronger winter winds attract water-sports travellers.
Rain is most likely from August to October, often in short and localised bursts.
- November to June: mainly dry.
- January to March: often windier.
- Keep ferry flexibility.
Important
Atlantic wind and swell can disrupt ferries, flights, swimming and boat trips even when the sky is clear.
03
What must you check before entering Cape Verde?
Visa rules depend on nationality, passport and purpose; many nationalities are visa-exempt but still have pre-arrival requirements.
Use Cape Verde's government list and consular portal rather than an airline summary.
Confirm passport validity, onward travel and transit requirements before departure.
- Check nationality-specific visa status.
- Carry onward-travel evidence.
- Save approvals offline.
04
How do EASE registration and the airport security tax work?
International air travellers should check EASE for pre-registration and, where applicable, the Airport Security Tax.
The government advises eligible travellers to complete the process before arrival, commonly up to five days in advance.
Some travellers are exempt from the tax, but pre-registration rules can still apply.
- Use only the official portal.
- Enter passport data exactly.
- Save confirmation offline.
05
How many days do you need?
Nine to fourteen full days allows two or three islands without turning the trip into a sequence of transfers.
A week works for one island pair; two weeks allows a city, hiking island and beach or volcano extension.
Count travel days separately and protect the final international departure.
- 5 days: one island.
- 9 days: Praia, Mindelo and Santo Antão.
- Keep a final-night buffer.
06
What is a realistic first-time route?
A balanced first route combines Santiago's history, Mindelo's culture and Santo Antão's mountain landscapes.
Fly into Praia or Mindelo according to the best international connection.
Santo Antão is reached by ferry from São Vicente, so Mindelo is the natural gateway.
- Days 1–3: Praia and Santiago.
- Days 4–6: Mindelo.
- Days 7–9: Santo Antão.
07
How should you choose the islands?
Each inhabited island has a distinct landscape and travel style, so interests matter more than checking names off a list.
Santiago combines the capital and history; São Vicente centres on Mindelo; Santo Antão leads for hiking; Fogo for the volcano.
Sal and Boa Vista are easiest for resort beaches, while Maio and São Nicolau feel quieter.
- Santiago: history and local life.
- São Vicente: music.
- Limit the number of transfers.
08
How should you plan domestic flights?
Domestic flights save time between distant islands but schedules and capacity can change.
Book key sectors early, especially around festivals and holidays.
Keep baggage allowances, airport names and minimum connection times in one offline note.
- Avoid tight separate connections.
- Check baggage limits.
- Protect the international departure.
09
How should you use inter-island ferries?
Ferries are essential on some routes, but sailing times and sea conditions require active checking.
Use CV Interilhas for current routes and schedules; do not build a trip around an old timetable.
Passengers need a named ticket and photo ID; the operator advises arriving at least one hour before departure.
- Check the live schedule.
- Buy before boarding.
- Keep a backup night.
10
How do you get around each island?
Taxis, buses and aluguer shared vans cover many routes, while frequency drops outside main towns.
Aluguers usually leave when enough passengers are ready and may not suit a tightly timed day.
Agree a taxi fare before departure when no meter is used.
- Ask for the departure point.
- Carry small cash.
- Confirm return options.
11
Should you rent a car?
A rental car adds freedom, but mountain roads, cobbles and rough tracks demand care.
Standard insurance may not cover every route or surface.
Avoid remote night driving and never follow a map app onto an unsuitable road.
- Inspect tyres and spare.
- Clarify insurance exclusions.
- Refuel before remote drives.
12
How should you plan hiking?
Santo Antão, Santiago and Fogo offer superb walking, but heat, exposure and steep paths matter.
Use an experienced local guide for volcanic, remote or poorly marked routes.
Start early, carry more water than expected and arrange transport from the trail end.
- Match distance to fitness.
- Use proper footwear.
- Turn back before exhaustion.
13
What should you know about beaches and water?
Cape Verde has beautiful beaches, but Atlantic swell, currents and wind vary sharply by coast.
Choose lifeguarded or locally recommended swimming areas where possible.
Ask about conditions before entering unfamiliar water.
- Read local warnings.
- Respect red flags.
- Book established operators.
Important
Calm-looking Atlantic water can still have strong currents. Do not assume every beach is safe for swimming.
14
Where should you stay?
Choose accommodation by island logistics, late-arrival needs and the transport required for day trips.
A central base in Praia or Mindelo simplifies short stays; rural guesthouses work best when transfers are confirmed.
Check air-conditioning, hot water, stairs and payment methods in recent reviews.
- Confirm late check-in.
- Ask about transfers.
- Save the phone number offline.
15
What should you eat and drink?
Cape Verdean food centres on cachupa, beans, corn, seafood, stews and island-grown produce.
Try cachupa, grilled fish, pastel com diabo dentro and local cheeses.
Grogue is a strong sugarcane spirit; choose reputable producers and drink moderately.
- Ask for the day's fish.
- Carry cash for small cafés.
- Treat grogue with caution.
16
How should you manage money?
The Cape Verdean escudo is the everyday currency, and cash remains important outside larger businesses.
ATMs are available in main towns but may have limits or outages.
Keep small notes for aluguers, markets and tips, and do not depend on one card.
- Use bank ATMs.
- Keep a second card.
- Store emergency cash separately.
17
How should you approach culture and music?
Morabeza—warm hospitality—is central to the visitor experience, alongside morna, coladeira and funaná.
Portuguese is official, while Cape Verdean Creole is the language of daily life.
Ask before photographing people and support local musicians directly.
- Learn basic greetings.
- Respect community spaces.
- Support live music.
18
What health and safety precautions matter?
Petty theft, strong sun, dehydration, road risk and limited specialist care require preparation.
Use normal city precautions in Praia and Mindelo, especially after dark.
Travel insurance should cover evacuation, hiking and water activities.
- Use registered transport at night.
- Carry prescribed medicines.
- Know the nearest clinic.
19
What should you confirm before departure?
A short final check prevents most avoidable problems in a multi-island trip.
Reconfirm all transport close to travel and keep enough flexibility for a schedule change.
Store documents offline and separately from the originals.
- Passport and entry permission.
- EASE confirmation.
- Weather and final transfer buffer.
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