FAQ

Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands in the North Atlantic Ocean that lies approximately 570 kilometers off the West African coast near Gambia, Senegal and Mauritania. Cape Verde is one of the four volcanic archipelagos of Macaronesia togeteher with Madeira, Canary islands and the Azores.

The best time to visit Cape Verde is from November to June. During these months, the weather is warm and dry with temperatures between 23 and 28 degrees. November to February is popular among travelers seeking to escape the cold winter months with pleasant temperatures for sunbathing and water activities. Temperatures never drop under 21 degrees. The rain season running from July to October has very little rainfall with an average of 10 rainy days per year. The temperatures rise up to 32 degrees and humidity is higher. The little rainfall colours the mountain valleys beautiful green. The strongest winds run over the Cape Verdean islands in winter months from December until April. Overall Cape Verde is a pleasant year-round destination to visit.

In Cape Verde, the official language is Portuguese, which is used in the government, media, and education. However, the most commonly spoken language among the locals is Creole, also known as Kriolu. Kriolu is a twisted version of Portuguese where letters are swapped and words made shorter. It's a spoken language without official dictionary, therefor many written documents are in Portuguese. Creole has 2 main spoken dialects; Sampadjudu from the Northern islands and Badiu in the South.

The Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) is best to use. Euro bills are accepted in tourist areas, but local currency is preferable. Euro coins are only accepted on Sal and Boa Vista. The official exchange rate is €1 = 110CVE, but in the tourist areas the more common rate is €1 = 100CVE. You'll save 10 cents per euro by paying in escudo's. Exhanging money isn't necessary if you're travelling with Euro's. Best to withdraw Escudo's upon arrival. The daily limit is 20.000CVE (€180). Withdraw a bigger amount to avoid transaction and ATM fees each time you take money out. Credit and debit cards are accepted in large hotels and restaurants, but cash is preferred in smaller shops and remote areas. A credit card fee up to 3% can be charged. Technical issues with card machines can occur, best to carry some cash with you.

Since 2019 visitors to Cape Verde do not require a visa for stays up to 30 days. However, all visitors must pay the airport security tax of 3.400 CVE / €31. Ways to pay the airport tax : - You can register and pay online through the EASE system up to five days before their departure. The system runs into technical issues quite often. - Upon arrival at the airport (keep long queus in mind). Take some cash with you in case the card system is out of service. - At a travel agency like TUI for package holidays If your stay exceeds 30 days, or if you are from a country that doesn’t qualify for this visa exemption, you will need to apply for a visa at the local police station.

Along with unspoilt beaches and green valleys, the Cape Verdean islands offer a wide range of mainly nature related activities. Float on salt lakes in the Salinas on Sal, try kitesurfing on Sal and Boa Vista, go turtle watching in summer on their beaches, swim with turtles in their natural environment and enjoy a little Brazilian Carnaval on Sao Vicente, climb the active volcano on Fogo, discover the colonial history on Santiago and trek in the most beautiful walking valleys on Santo Antão and São Nicolau. The islands are still new to tourism and managed to keep their authenticity. We recommend an island-hopping trip to enjoy the different character of the islands.

Cape Verde offers a range of accommodations to suit various preferences and budgets. Travelers can choose from options such as holiday apartments, cozy guesthouses, boutique hotels, and beachfront all-inclusive resorts. Sustainable and local orientated tourism is found on Santiago, Fogo, Sao Vicente and Santo Antao. These islands are well equiped for tourist needs with local restaurants, accommodations and activities. Maio, Sao Nicolau and Brava have more limited options due to smaller transport availability. Sal and Boa Vista are the main tourist islands for sun holidays where the big resorts like RIU and Melia are located.

The allure for hiking and Cape Verde Walking Holidays lies in its diverse landscapes, offering both challenging trails and serene strolls. The archipelago boasts volcanic peaks, dramatic coastlines, and lush valleys. Santo Antão, Santiago and São Nicolau with its rugged terrain and picturesque villages, are a hiker's paradise. Hiking on Fogo and climbing the only active volcano (the highest point of West-Africa) is a unique experience. Cape Verde's moderate climate and stunning views make it a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

On land The best time to see turtles in Cape Verde is between July and October, during the nesting season when loggerhead turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. Sal & Boa Vista have the biggest beaches and are the best islands to spot turtles laying their eggs at night. Only take a guided tour to respect the turtles environment and privacy. In the ocean You can swim with turtles year-round on Sao Vicente in Sao Pedro bay from a local fishermens boat. This is the only island with a 100% guarantee rate to see turtles.

Santo Antão island is the highlight for hiking enthousiasts with the most impressive hiking tracks in Cape Verde. It would be beneficial to explore specific trails on this island for a memorable hiking experience.

The Cape Verde archipelago in the middle of the Atlantic ocean is known for its warm, clear waters and diverse marine life. This destination stands out due to its volcanic underwater landscapes and diverse marine life. Sal and Boa Vista are the main beach islands with easy accessible diving spots. Santiago and Sao Vicente also offer less known diving spots close to shore. Scuba diving is possible year-round on Sal, but on the other islands the conditions are best in winter time when the water is clear. Whales can be spotted between february and may, best from Boa Vista island. Turtles swim around the islands year-round but come closer to shore in their nesting season between June and October. Lemon and nurse sharks can be spotted during a scuba dive.

Due to the little rainfall in Cape Verde the hiking season is almost year-round. The rain season occurs in summertime between July and October with an average of 10 rain days per year. The humidity and temperatures in these months are higher and less enjoyable for hiking. November until May have favorable weather conditions and are ideal for a hiking trip.