Money and payments
Cards and cash
Larger towns also have ATMs that will take Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.
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Africa · Western AfricaOutline guideIsland country in West Africa
Photo: NASA's Visible Earth, Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Cape Verde or CV, officially Cabo Verde (Portuguese: Cabo Verde, Kriolu: Kabu Verdi) is a country off the coast of West Africa. It is in a cluster of islands of the Atlantic Ocean, 570 km (350 mi) off the western coast of Senegal.
Answers to what travellers most often look up about Cape Verde.
Cards and cash
Larger towns also have ATMs that will take Visa, MasterCard and Maestro.
Portuguese
The official language is Portuguese, used in all official publications and announcements as well as in business, media and schools, but the local language is Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu kabuverdianu), a Portuguese-based…
As of July 2022, 4G coverage is common in some populated areas such as Santiago and Fogo.
In the resorts, the tap water is usually desalinated and safe to drink.
In the resorts, the tap water is usually desalinated and safe to drink. In other areas, bottled water is cheap and commonly available.
People are polite and friendly. It is good to buy something, but important to bargain.
Attractions, food, stays and travel essentials, with ratings, reviews, opening hours and directions.
the capital, on Santiago Island
port city on São Vicente, probably the country's liveliest
A historic town on Santiago
São Filipe is a city on the island of Fogo.
Places in Cape Verde on the World Heritage List.
List from Wikidata (CC0). Photos from Wikimedia Commons.
Great hiking.
With the cultural capital of Mindelo.
Santa Luzia is uninhabited but can be visited as a day trip from São Vicente.
Cape Verde’s sunniest island has great beaches, water sports and resorts aplenty. The island's climate is very hot and dry, and the miles and miles of sandy beaches make this island a real tropical paradise for those looking to relax by the sea.
Even nicer beaches.
Maio is an island in Cape Verde. Vila do Maio, or just Vila, is the primary city on the island.
The first island settled in Cape Verde. It holds the current capital Praia, the original capital Cidade Velha, and the bulk of the nation's population.
A spectacular volcano island which last erupted in 2014. Farmers are still growing vines for wine in the crater and growing coffee on its slopes.
A small, very hilly island accessible by ferry from Fogo a few times a week and is a great place to get away from it all. Faja de Agua is a dramatic remote bay and village from which the American Whaling ships collected supplies and crew with many from Brava now settled in Boston, USA.
Public transport and paid services in Cape Verde.
By ferry
There are ferry services between the islands. As of July 2022, all ferries are operated by CV Interilhas. Schedules and ticket booking possibilities are available on the website.
By plane
As of April 2026, CV Sky has regular daily flights between the majority of the islands. Booking is possible through the website or local tourist agencies.
By taxi and aluguer shared transport
Nice, new taxis are available in the major cities and are not metered.
By car
Cape Verde's road network is underdeveloped in places, and roads are often unpaved, especially on the smaller islands. The main roads are asphalted.
Apps for booking a taxi or a ride in Cape Verde.
Finding apps for Cape Verde…
Operators checked against their official websites in October 2026; services that have stopped running are not listed. Logos and Wikipedia links: Wikidata (CC0)
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Espargos · International · SID
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Calculated from climate averages: mild daytime highs and lower rainfall. It does not account for festivals, crowds or prices.
Average conditions in Praia
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg. high | 24° | 23° | 23° | 24° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 27° | 28° | 28° | 27° | 25° |
| Avg. low | 22° | 21° | 21° | 22° | 22° | 23° | 24° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 23° |
| Rainfall (mm) | 22 | 20 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 12 | 56 | 82 | 45 | 37 | 30 |
| Humidity | 74% | 77% | 79% | 80% | 81% | 82% | 80% | 80% | 81% | 80% | 77% | 75% |
Choose your passport and destination to see whether you need a visa.
Budget
$60
Per person, per day
Mid-range
$150
Per person, per day
Luxury
$400
Per person, per day
| Budget | Mid-range | Luxury | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $30 | $85 | $235 |
| Food and drink | $15 | $30 | $75 |
| Local transport | $5 | $15 | $35 |
| Activities | $10 | $20 | $55 |
Estimate from World Bank price levels (2025). Actual costs vary by city and season. World Bank
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We do not label countries as safe or unsafe. Below is the official advice from two governments, with the date it was last updated. Always read the full advice before you travel.
US Department of State
Level 1 of 4Exercise normal precautions
Exercise normal precautionin Cabo Verde due to crime. Cabo Verde is generally a safe destination for travelers. Some areas have increased risk.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
No advice against travel. Read the full advice before you go.
Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: see general advice for women travellers read our guide on disability and travel abroad see general advice for LGBT+ travellers read about safety for solo and independent travel see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad Travel insurance If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde. About FCDO travel advice The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. Get travel advice updates Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. Follow FCDO: travel advice on X travel advice on Facebook Travel Aware on Instagram
Stories, itineraries and practical advice for travelling in Cape Verde.
Travel tipsApart from making your way round the Caribbean or Polynesia by offering a hand on board yachts which seems to be common and easy, the most common route is the Atlantic crossing from Europe to the Americas (mostly to the…
Wikivoyage
ItinerariesThe Cape Route, the route around Africa, the Carreira da Índia or the European-Asian sea route, used to be among the world's most important routes of commerce.
Wikivoyage
Travel tipsAirfares can be cheaper when booked from the European capital that has a strong colonial link to your destination, which typically means from Brussels, Lisbon, London, and Paris.
Wikivoyage
Culture & historyOld towns in Africa outlines a list of notable old towns in Africa. Most old towns in North and East Africa have an Arabic (or at least Islamic) heritage, but some have an even earlier history.
Wikivoyage
Nature & adventureAs of 2023 the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves is made up of 738 reserves in 134 countries of which 22 are transboundary.
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Nature & adventureWindsurfing, also known as sailboarding, funboarding or wave-sailing, is a popular sport activity involving a sail and surfboard to move above the water.
Wikivoyage
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