From dream to Cabo Mundo: my journey in Cape Verde

Cabo Mundo
Dec 15, 2025
3 min read

by Lina Iliano

When I first set foot on the islands of Cape Verde, I had no idea how deeply they would change my life. What started as a simple escape for a job in tourism slowly turned into a journey of purpose. The rhythm of the ocean, the warmth of the people, and the peaceful simplicity of island life told me something my soul had long been craving: “Slow down. Feel. Belong.”

From Resorts to Real Connections

My journey began on Sal island in 2016, where I worked with TUI in the world of large all-inclusive resorts. It was a valuable experience as I saw how much travelers longed for sunshine and relaxation, yet I also noticed how often they missed the true essence of the islands. Something inside me wanted to show a different side of Cape Verde — the side filled with music, warmth, and everyday island life.

After a while, I moved to Boa Vista, where I quit working in the resorts and started in a small beach club surrounded by local friends, caipirinhas and long sunsets. That’s where my heart truly opened. In the simple villages and amazing beaches of Boa Vista I experienced Cape Verde in its purest form and that’s when the idea for Cabo Mundo was born.

The Birth of Cabo Mundo

Cabo Mundo was created from a simple vision: to share the genuine Cape Verde that I fell in love with. The raw beauty, the community spirit, and the island stories that too often go unseen. I wanted travelers to experience Cape Verde as locals do: through small businesses, hidden gems, and meaningful connections.

When the pandemic hit, I moved to Mindelo, on São Vicente. Tourism came to a complete stop, and it was a time filled with uncertainty, for me, for the islands, for everyone working in tourism. But I kept believing: in this country, in its people, and in my own strength. Those quiet months gave me time to dream, plan, and shape Cabo Mundo into what it is today — a bridge between travelers and the real Cape Verde.

Growing Across the Islands

What started as a few local tours on Boa Vista has now grown into a travel company that creates custom-made trips across all Cape Verdean islands. From Sal’s golden beaches to Santo Antão’s green hiking valleys, we design experiences that blend adventure, culture, and connection. Cabo Mundo has become a local tour operator rooted in authenticity, sustainability, and community.

Over the years, I’ve visited almost every island, all except Brava (for now!). Along the way, I’ve met incredible locals who became friends, partners, and guides. Their knowledge of the land, culture, and traditions is what gives Cabo Mundo its strength. Together, we create ultimate experiences that travelers are looking for these days.

Life as a founder in Cape Verde

Being a business leader here is both grounding and challenging. Internet isn’t always reliable, plans can change with domestic transportation and patience is a daily practice. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. I get to witness how a traveler’s eyes light up when they meet friendly locals, taste homemade cachupa, or discover our traditional music.

Cabo Mundo isn’t just my business, it’s my way of giving back to the land and people who welcomed me. It’s proof that tourism can be more conscious, more human, and more connected.

Looking ahead

My dream for Cabo Mundo is to keep growing slowly and meaningfully. To inspire travelers to see Cape Verde not as a destination, but as a story they become part of. The world of Cabo Mundo, where travel meets authenticity.

So, whether you’re planning your first trip to the islands or just dreaming from afar, I invite you to join our journey.