A paradise lost in the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde is still a destination preserved from mass tourism. With its ten wild and mysterious islands, all different from each other, it is a magical country. By following the instructions of your tourist guide on Cape Verde, you can organize an ideal and authentic stay in this small island country of Africa. Hikers will escape to the green mountains and lush vegetation of Santo Antão or São Nicolau. Water sports enthusiasts can enjoy the magnificent fine sandy beaches of the islands of Sal or Boa Vista. Those in search of adventure will climb the Fogo volcano and remember its lunar and paradisiacal landscapes, and the Robinson Crusoe will enjoy a day of deep-sea fishing. Cape Verde is also an attractive country where Creole, African, Brazilian and Portuguese traditions blend together, and a population renowned for its kindness

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When to go to Cape Verde?

When to go to Cape Verde? Cape Verde's high tourist season runs from mid-June to mid-September and from mid-November to early January, when emigrants, the Cape Verdean diaspora, return home. The end of the year is the best time to go to Cape Verde if you are a hiking enthusiast. It should be noted that it is imperative to book accommodation and air connections a little in advance to have a place in high season. Otherwise, Cape Verde can be visited all year round, with an average air temperature of around 25°C and a sea temperature of 24°C.

  • Weather forecast
  • Budget
  • Procedures
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Weather at the moment
Weather all year round

Cape Verde enjoys a hot and dry climate for most of the year. There are two distinct seasons: one is dry and runs from late October to early July. It is less warm and is characterized by strong winds, especially in December and February. The other, called the "rainy season", runs from August to October with September and October with fairly high temperatures in Cape Verde.

Budget

By Western standards, life is not particularly expensive, especially for eating or travelling in the Cape Verdean islands. You will favour the boat which costs less. The national currency is the Cape Verdean escudo, but the euro is accepted in shops and taxis. The exchange rate is more expensive at the airport but the office is open more often than elsewhere. Distributors are found all over Cape Verde. Tipping is not mandatory but welcome.

Procedures

It is mandatory to apply for a visa for Cape Verde. It costs 45 € for an individual for a 30-day stay. For nationals of the European Union and the United Kingdom, the visa application must be made via an online declaration to be completed a few days before arrival in Cape Verde.

Health

No vaccinations are required for a trip to Cape Verde, but the tap water is not drinkable. Avoid consuming the artisanal cheese that can be found on some islands (especially in Santo Antão), especially that sold on the street outside restaurants (no cold chain, very poor hygiene), its consumption carries risks (brucellosis, listeriosis) and many tourists fall ill. Quite regularly, with the rainy season, a few rare malaria epidemics occur in Santiago. It is not necessary to undergo treatment but, especially from nightfall onwards, it is prudent to cover your arms and legs (long-sleeved clothing, pants) and to use mosquito repellents generously. Bring a small medical kit to treat small sores (blisters, small wounds...). Be careful not to walk on the sea urchins while swimming: the spines are painful and difficult to extract

How to go to Cape Verde? Our advice & tips

  • Organised trips
  • Going alone
  • Moving around

An all-inclusive ten-day stay in Cape Verde can include a trip to a maximum of two or three islands. For example, a visit to the volcano of Fogo, a must-see in Cape Verde via Santiago (3 days if you want to visit the island, one day otherwise), or a stopover in Mindelo, the "Brazilian" city of Cape Verde. This tailor-made trip can end with a stop on the island of Sal to enjoy its beautiful white sandy beaches and rest from visits or treks.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Cape Verde is a rather safe country for solo travellers. However, avoid walking alone in a big city at night and do not show any outward signs of wealth. Do not venture without a mountain guide because rescue is much less effective than in Western countries in the event of a problem...

Domestic flights and ferries connect the islands. For boat trips, two or three companies operate almost regularly, Fast Ferry, Armas and Interilhas. They easily and frequently connect some islands together, whether they are Barlavento (islands in the north of the archipelago) or Sotavento (islands in the south of the archipelago). Fast Ferry provides daily Santiago-Fogo-Brava connections. However, due to the rough seas, delays are frequent by boat

Prepare for your trip Cape Verde

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Cape Verde travel inspiration

10 days
Average budget
  • When to go?
    Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver
  • With whom?
    Couple, Famille, Amis
  • Themes :

Cape Verde, mouth watering
Quotatrip
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10 days
Average budget
  • When to go?
    Printemps, Eté, Automne, Hiver
  • With whom?
    Solo, Couple, Famille
  • Themes :
    Faune et flore, Aventure / Sports et loisirs, Détente / Bien être

Cape Verde, nature side

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Practical information
When to travel?

When to go to Cape Verde? Cape Verde's high tourist season runs from mid-June to mid-September and from mid-November...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Cape Verde enjoys a hot and dry climate for most of the year. There are two distinct seasons: one is dry and runs fro...
Read more about it

Budget

By Western standards, life is not particularly expensive, especially for eating or travelling in the Cape Verdean isl...
Read more about it

Formalities

It is mandatory to apply for a visa for Cape Verde. It costs 45 € for an individual for a 30-day stay. For national...
Read more about it

Health

No vaccinations are required for a trip to Cape Verde, but the tap water is not drinkable. Avoid consuming the artisa...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Cape Verde is a rather safe country for solo travellers. However, avoid walking alone in a big city at night and do n...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

An all-inclusive ten-day stay in Cape Verde can include a trip to a maximum of two or three islands. For example, a v...
Read more about it

Getting around

Domestic flights and ferries connect the islands. For boat trips, two or three companies operate almost regularly, Fa...
Read more about it

Featured articles Cape Verde

Le retour des touristes au volcan de FOGO !

The return of tourists to the volcano of FOGO!

The volcanic eruption in 2014 has increased demand for the Cape Verdean island of Fogo, but operators and local authorities are concerned that the number of flights may not keep pace. The head of the largest travel agency ZEBRATRAVEL, Luisa, says that this year there is "a real increase in demand" from French tourists, an interest that the operators are unable to meet! Yet this island has everything to seduce you: trek, boat trip, discovery ...

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Cap-Vert, îles aux mille surprises

Cape Verde, islands with a thousand surprises

Cape Verde begins with its music which attracts us to the archipelago. From the moment of arrival, the softness of the inhabitants leads the visitor to slip into the local rhythm. From island to island, the beauty of the scene captures the traveler and surprises by its diversity. Sea and beach, ecotourism, water sports or hikes, everyone finds their own. The ten islands, all different, are forced to make a choice: the sea at Maio, Boavista ...

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La Sophroenergie au Cap-Vert : le pur bien être

Sophroenergy in Cape Verde: pure well-being

The island of SAL is by definition the island of well-being. Recently, in addition to water sports such as surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing, there are also activities related to well-being. Yoga, massage and now an increasingly common practice called Sophro Energy. Thus Luce, the expert who came to Cape Verde to SAL to settle in Cape Verde, gives courses in Sophrology (Harmony of the Mind & Body), mindfulness for children and ...

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