Cape Verde: Basic Travel Guide

Sal Island, Cape Verde (May 2025)

📍 Destination

Cape Verde is a volcanic archipelago off West Africa, offering desert-like landscapes, pristine beaches, and a vibrant culture influenced by both Africa and Portugal. Perfect for year-round sun, live music, and warm, welcoming hospitality.

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ℹ️ General Information

• Official Name: Republic of Cape Verde

• Capital: Praia (Santiago Island)

• Official Language: Portuguese / Creole

• Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)

• Currency Exchange Locations: Available at Sal Airport, Praia, Boa Vista, banks, and major hotels

• Main Religion: Christianity

• Time Difference:

  • From US: Cape Verde is 3 to 6 hours ahead of the US, depending on your time zone.

  • From UK: Cape Verde is 1 to 2 hours behind the UK, depending on the season.

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📄 Required Documentation

• Passport: Valid for at least 6 months beyond return date

• Visa: Not required for EU/UK/US tourists for up to 30 days, but online pre-registration is mandatory

• Pre-Registration (EASE): Mandatory (up to 5 days before travel) at www.ease.gov.cv

• Airport Security Tax (TSA): Applied to international travelers (may be included in airfare)

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📅 Best Time to Visit

• Weather: Dry tropical, consistent sunshine year-round

• Rainy Season: August to October (mainly in Santiago)

• Best Months: November to June (pleasent and stable weather)

🎯 Tip: Cape Verde is a great winter escape for travelers from colder climates. —

🕐 Business Hours

• Banks & Public Services: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

• General stores: Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM - 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM / Saturdays, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

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✈️ How to Get There

International Flight Time:

• From US: No direct flights — connect via Lisbon, Paris, or Amsterdam. Total travel time: 10 - 16 hours.

• From UK: Direct flights from London, Manchester, and Birmingham to Sal and Boa Vista. Flight time: ~6 hours.

Major Airports:

• (SID) Amílcar Cabral International Airport – Sal Island

• (RAI) Nelson Mandela International Airport – Santiago Island

• (BVC) Aristides Pereira Airport – Boavista Island

Approximate Domestic Flight Times:

• Praia → São Vicente: 40 min

• São Vicente → Sal: 40 min

• Sal → Praia: 40 min

• Praia → Fogo (Mosteiros): 20 min

• Sal → Boavista: 15 min

• Boavista → Praia: 30 min

• Praia → Maio: 15 min

• Sal → São Nicolau: 30 min

🚖 Airport-Hotel Transfers: Taxis (fixed or negotiable rates), private transfers —

💊 Health & Medication

• Vaccines: No mandatory shots for EU/US travelers

• Recommended: Bring insect repellent, sunscreen, and anti-diarrheal meds

• Health Care: Basic healthcare outside main islands—travel insurance is advised

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💰 Currency & Costs

• 1 USD ≈ 102 CVE (fixed rate) – USD will need local exchange

• Local Tax: $2.70 USD per person/night (paid locally at hotels)

• Credit Cards: Amex, Visa, Mastercard, Eurocard accepted in main hotels

• Tipping: Appreciated but not mandatory (5–10%)

• Cash: Recommended to carry, as many small businesses are cash-only

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🧳 What to Pack

• Light, breathable clothing

• Swimwear and beach towel

• Comfortable walking shoes

• Hat, sunglasses, sunscreen

• Plug Adapter: Type C or F (same as Europe)

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🏨 Where to Stay

• Luxury: Riu Palace (Sal Island), Hotel Morabeza

• Family-Friendly: All-inclusive resorts in Sal or Boavista

• Authentic & Local: Guesthouses in Santo Antão or São Vicente

🎯 Tip: Sal is ideal for beach getaways and resort life; Santo Antão is best for hiking and eco-adventures —

🚕 Transportation & Accessibility

• Taxis: Affordable, but always confirm price first

• Shared Vans: Budget-friendly for local journeys

• Domestic Flights: Best for travel between distant islands

• Ferries: Available for nearby islands (check local schedules)

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⚡ Electricity

• Voltage: 220V

• Plugs: Type C/F (same as Europe)

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📞 Communication

• Country Code: +238

• Local Operators: CV Móvel, Unitel T+

• Wi-Fi: Available in hotels and cafés

• Local SIM: Recommended for calls/mobile data

• Internet Domain: .cv

🎯 Tip: Avoid hassle on arrival, get your eSIM before you travel (click on this link)

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🏖️ Main Holidays

• January 1 – New Year's Day

• January 13 – Democracy Day

• January 20 – National Heroes Day

• May 1 – Labor Day

• July 5 – Independence Day

• August 15 – National Patroness Day

• November 1 – All Saints' Day

• December 25 – Christmas

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🍽️ Local Cuisine

• Cachupa: Corn, beans, meat/fish stew

• Grilled lobster

• Grogue: Local sugarcane spirit

• Papaya jam

• Abundant fresh fish

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🕵️‍♂️ Safety

• Generally safe for tourists

• Stay alert with valuables in cities and tourist spots

• Avoid isolated beaches at night

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🚑 Emergency Services

• Hospital: 130

• Fire Department: 131

• Police: 132

• Judiciary Police: 8001134

• U.S. Embassy in Praia (Santiago Island): +238 260 89 52

• UK Embassy Dakar (Senegal): +221 33 823 2600

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🔗 Useful Links

• Official Tourism Page: https://www.visit-caboverde.com/en

• EASE Pre-Registration: https://ease.gov.cv

• U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment: https://step.state.gov

• UK Travel Advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde