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Cape Verde Travel Guide

Capital:

Praia.

Geography:

Cape Verde is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 620km (385 miles) off the West Coast of Africa and comprises 10 islands, 9 inhabited and one uninhabited, and five islets in two groups: Barlavento (Windwards) and Sotavento (Leewards). In the former group are the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista, along with the smaller islands of Branco and Raso; the Sotavento group comprises the islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava, along with the smaller islands of Rei and Rombo.

Land varies from island to island, but most have mountain peaks; the highest being Pico do Fogo, an active volcano on Fogo. The islands in the east are generally known for flat beaches and desert land. Western islands are rockier, with steep cliffs. Much of the land in Cape Verde is infertile and lacks minerals, which forces the country to import the majority of its food and goods. Wind and water erosion also make agriculture less sustainable, though much of the workforce lies in it.

Government:

Republic.

Head Of State:

President José Maria Neves since 2021.

Head Of Government:

Prime Minister Ulisses Correia e Silva since 2021.

Electricity:

220 volts AC, 50Hz. Plugs with two rounded pins are commonly used.

Overview

Capital:

Praia.

Geography:

Cape Verde is situated in the Atlantic Ocean, 620km (385 miles) off the West Coast of Africa and comprises 10 islands, 9 inhabited and one uninhabited, and five islets in two groups: Barlavento (Windwards) and Sotavento (Leewards). In the former group are the islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista, along with the smaller islands of Branco and Raso; the Sotavento group comprises the islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava, along with the smaller islands of Rei and Rombo.

Land varies from island to island, but most have mountain peaks; the highest being Pico do Fogo, an active volcano on Fogo. The islands in the east are generally known for flat beaches and desert land. Western islands are rockier, with steep cliffs. Much of the land in Cape Verde is infertile and lacks minerals, which forces the country to import the majority of its food and goods. Wind and water erosion also make agriculture less sustainable, though much of the workforce lies in it.

Getting There

Getting There By Air

TACV, also known as Cabo Verde Airlines, the national airline of Cape Verde (https://caboverdeairlines.com/), offers flights from several international locations to Sal and Praia.

Information on international and internal flights, and flight tickets may be obtained from TUI Airways, which flies direct from the United Kingdom. You can also fly with TAP Portugal (www.flytap.com) via Lisbon and Royal Air Moroc from London.

Airports of Cape Verde: Praia Airport, Sal Airport, Sao Vincente Airport, Boa Vista Aristides Pereira Airport, Sao Filipe Airport, Sao Nicolau Airport.

Departure Tax

None. However, tourists 16 years old or older are required to pay a tax for overnight hotel stays in Cape Verde of 2 euros per night with a maximum of ten nights per each hotel.

Flight Times

From London - 9 hours (including stopover); New York - 19 hours (including stopovers); Singapore - 34.5 hours (including stopovers); Los Angeles - 26.5 hours (including stopovers); Toronto - 24 hours (including stopovers).

Getting There By Water

Mindelo and Praia are the principal ports. São Vicente is served by passenger and cargo ships, but sea services are not frequent and may be costly.

Getting Around

Getting Around By Air

There are internal flights available to all inhabited islands except Brava and San Antao, which do not have functioning airports. Private charters are available from the Cabo Verde Express air-taxi service (www.caboverdeexpress.com).

As of 2017 Binter Canarias Airline handles domestic flights in Cape Verde from island to island, sharing capital with the Cabo Verde government.

Car Hire

Available on the main islands; book in advance when possible.

Documentation

An International Driving Permit is legally required and proof of insurance should be displayed on the car windscreen.

Road Quality

Road conditions and driving standards are generally of a reasonable quality, although paved roads are mostly narrow and winding. Once you get off the main roads, expect a few bumps.

Side Of Road

r

Taxi

Taxi fares should be agreed in advance, although some prefer to use the taximeter. Drivers can be hired to see the main sights on the islands.

Getting Around By Water

There is a daily ferry service operating between the port of Mindelo, São Vincente and Santo Antao (journey time - 1 hour).

Fast Ferry also operates between the islands of Fogo, Brava, and Santiago. Schedules are available online and seats can be booked in advance. Tickets may cost between 16 and 40 euros.

Sea conditions around Cape Verde are sometimes treacherous, due to many submerged rocks. Travel by sea to the southern islands of Brava and Fogo can be particularly disrupted.

Travel Advice

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

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.

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This information is for people travelling on a full 'British citizen' passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government's understanding of Cape Verde's current rules for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Cape Verde set and enforce entry rules. If you're not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Cape Verdean Consulate-General in Rotterdam(in Portuguese) or through the Cape Verde Consular Portal email address (in English).

Passport validity requirements

To enter Cape Verde, your passport must have an 'expiry date' at least 6 months after the date you arrive.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost, stolen or is damaged.

Visa requirements

You can enter Cape Verde as a visitor for up to 30 days without a visa.

To stay longer or to travel for other reasons, you must meet the Cape Verde government's entry requirements.

Traveller entry form

You must fill in a traveller entry form at least 5 days before you arrive in the country. This form includes an airport security fee ('TSA'), which you must pay before you arrive.

If you're travelling with a tour operator, check whether they can complete the form for you as part of the booking process.

See more information on the traveller entry form.

Children aged one and under do not need to fill in the traveller entry form.

Travelling with children

Children aged 17 and under travelling to Cape Verde alone, or with a person who is not their parent or legal guardian, must carry a letter of authorisation to travel from their parent or guardian. The letter must be in Portuguese and the signature must be certified by a solicitor or notary

The letter should include:

  • the child's dates of arrival and departure
  • the address where they will be staying
  • the name of the adult in Cape Verde who will be responsible for them during their stay
  • the full names, passport numbers and contact details of the parent or guardian
  • the parent or guardian's signature and date of issue

If you are not the parent or guardian and you bring a child to Cape Verde without a legally certified letter of authorisation, you may be refused entry.

Vaccine requirements

To enter Cape Verde, you must have a certificate to prove you've had a yellow fever vaccination if you're coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.

For full details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see TravelHealthPro's Cape Verde guide.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Cape Verde. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Cape Verde

Although there's no recent history of terrorism in Cape Verde, attacks cannot be ruled out. 

Crime

The crime rate in Cape Verde is generally low, but can include pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglary and muggings, particularly in the capital city of Praia and on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. Sexual assaults are rare but have been reported.

You can take steps to protect yourself and your belongings, including:

  • leaving valuables somewhere secure, such as a hotel safe
  • keeping your belongings in sight at bars and restaurants
  • not carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewellery
  • avoiding unlit and isolated areas after dark
  • avoiding beaches with limited or restricted visibility
  • making sure your hotel or accommodation's windows and doors are always locked

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for possessing, using or trafficking drugs. Penalties include fines and long prison sentences.

Buying property 

British nationals have experienced problems when buying property in Cape Verde. Before buying property on the islands, get independent qualified legal advice. See FCDO's list of English-speaking lawyers in Cape Verde.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Beaches and swimming

If you are going into the water, always use beaches where there is a lifeguard on duty.

Tides and currents around the islands are very strong. Take care when walking close to the water's edge, especially along unsupervised stretches of beach.  Waves can be unpredictable and have a strong undertow. Follow the lifeguard's instructions and respect the warning flags:

  • red means danger: do not go into the water
  • yellow means caution: you can walk in the water, but you cannot swim
  • green means it's safe to swim

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society. 

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Cape Verde, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a valid UK photocard driving licence to drive in Cape Verde for up to 6 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you should update it to a photocard licence, or get the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and carry it with your licence. You will be arrested if you are found driving without a licence.

Hiring vehicles

If you hire a car, scooter or quad bike, make sure it's in good condition and that it's fully insured. Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.

Quad biking is considered an extreme sport. It is unlikely that it will be included in your travel insurance policy. Check whether you need additional insurance to cover extreme sports and make sure it covers you for the cost of medical care and repatriation. Medical facilities are very basic in Cape Verde so it is highly likely that following a quad bike accident you will need to be medically evacuated.

It's a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike. Your insurance policy may be invalidated if you have an accident and you're not wearing a helmet.

Public transport

Only hire authorised taxis from taxi ranks or by asking your hotel to call one. On the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, authorised taxis are coloured blue and yellow.

Intercity bus services can be dangerous because of poor driving.

Sea travel

Sea conditions around Cape Verde can be dangerous. Follow local advice before travelling by sea. Travel by sea to the southern islands of Brava and Fogo in particular can often be disrupted.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Flooding 

The rainy season in Cape Verde is from mid-August to mid-October. Torrential rains on some of the islands can cause floodings and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.

Earthquakes

Seismic activity and tremors can be felt occasionally, mostly on the islands of Brava and Fogo. This is usually within the bounds of normal activity but can sometimes be dangerous. Check with your travel provider before travelling to the islands of Brava or Fogo.

Sandstorms

Sandstorms ('bruma seca') can happen between December and February. When intense, they can disrupt air travel, especially on the island of Boa Vista. If a sandstorm happens while you're on one of the islands, contact your tour operator or airline.

Before you travel check that:

  • your destination can provide the healthcare you may need. Health care in Cape Verde is very basic and limited
  • you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde so it is essential that you have appropriate travel insurance.

Emergency medical number

Call 130 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you're referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

See what health risks you'll face on Cape Verde including dengue. The Cape Verde government has raised the civil protection warning level for dengue on the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava.

Altitude sickness is a risk on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

You will only be able to buy medication from a pharmacy. Find a pharmacy near you on the Ministry of Health's list of registered pharmacies (in Portuguese).

If you are on medication, make sure you travel with sufficient medication for the duration of your travel. If you run out of medication and have a UK prescription, ask at a pharmacy if they can fill it for you. You may not be able to get the same strength or dosage. Some medicines are unavailable or in short supply and some may not be authorised for sale in Cape Verde.

If you need a repeat prescription, go to the nearest health centre or hospital emergency department.

Healthcare in Cape Verde

Medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista.

The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Cape Verde where some staff will speak English.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.

Emergency services in Cape Verde

Ambulance: 130

Fire: 131

Police: 132 

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

  • where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
  • how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

Vaccinations

Title Special Precautions
Malaria Sometimes
Hepatitis A Yes
Diphtheria Yes
Rabies Sometimes
Tetanus Yes
Typhoid Yes
Yellow Fever No*

Overview:

Health insurance, including emergency repatriation cover, is advised, although in-patient treatment is free in general wards on presentation of a passport. Treatment is private and expensive on the smaller islands.

Vaccinations Note:

* A certificate of vaccination is required from travellers over one year of age arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission.

Cape Verde is flagged as a Dengue Fever risk for travellers visiting from overseas, there is no vaccination for this viral illness.

Food Drink:

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. All drinking water should be bottled, boiled or carbonated. Water used for brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilized and filtered. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products and food from street vendors. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other Risks:

Hepatitis E is highly endemic in sub-saharan Africa, but has very low occurrence in Cape Verde; precautions are still advisable. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic in the region. Vaccination against tuberculosis is sometimes advised. Giardia occurs.

As of 2019, travellers are advised to practice special precaution for Zika Virus, which is a concern in central and west Africa. Pregnant travelers or travelers planning for pregnancy in the future are advised to postpone travel. All travelers should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.

Currency Information:

Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CVE 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CVE200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

Credit Cards:

Credit cards are rarely used. Only Visa and Mastercard are accepted on Cabo Verde. A few major hotels accept Visa. Currency can be obtained in banks from credit cards but charges are very high. There are ATMs in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vincent.

ATMs:

There are ATMs in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vincent.

Travellers Cheques:

Accepted in main towns and tourist areas, though the exchange can often be problematic.

Banking Hours:

Mon-Fri 0800-1500.

Currency Restrictions:

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival and on departure. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of CVE 20,000 or the amount declared on arrival, whichever is the larger.

Currency Exchange:

Available at international airports (not domestic) and in local banks. Currency cannot be reconverted, except in Portugal.

Currencies

Code Symbol
CVE

Exchange Rates

110.26
131.96
106.67

Language

The official language is Portuguese. Creole is spoken by most of the inhabitants. Some English, French, German and Spanish are widely spoken.

Overview:

Public holidays are listed here.

.

List Of Public Holidays

Title Start Date To Be Confirmed
New Year's Day 2025-01-01 00:00:00 0
Heroes' Day 2025-01-20 00:00:00 0
Carnival 2025-03-04 00:00:00 0
Ash Wednesday 2025-03-05 00:00:00 0
Labour Day 2025-05-01 00:00:00 0
Municipal Day 2025-05-19 00:00:00 0
Independence Day 2025-07-05 00:00:00 0
Assumption 2025-08-15 00:00:00 0
National Day 2025-09-12 00:00:00 0
All Saint's Day 2025-11-01 00:00:00 0
Christmas Day 2025-12-25 00:00:00 0

Overview:

The following goods may be imported into Cape Verde without incurring customs duty:

• 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco (only persons aged 17 and over).

• 1L of distilled spirits stronger than 22%, undenatured ethyl alcohol with a content alcoholic strength equal to or greater than 80% vol or
2L distilled beverages and spirits: appetizers based on wine or alcohol, tafiá, saké or drinks  similar products with an alcohol content up to 22% (only persons aged 17 and over).

• 2 x 1L of wine (only persons aged 17 and over).

• 250ml of eau de toilette and 50ml of perfume.

• Personal belongings without commercial character up to the value of CVE15,000.

.

Banned Imports:

Plant and animal products must be accompanied by a phytosanitary or sanitary certificate.

Telephone:

Improvements to rural areas are in progress.

Mobile Telephone:

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies, but travellers should check with their service provider. Coverage is variable, but generally good in towns.

For unlocked phones, buying a pre-paid SIM card to use in Cape Verde is a cheaper option than paying expensive roaming fees for calls and texts. Cabo Verde Telecom and T+ Mobile both operate in the area.

Internet:

Major hotels offer laptop connections. Public access is available at the offices of Cabo Verde Telecom. T+ Mobile also offers services in Cape Verde. Privately run business centres in the main towns offer e-mail, Internet and fax facilities. Some cafés and restaurants across the islands also offer WiFi.

Post

Postal facilities can be slow with deliveries to Europe normally taking over a week.

Media:

A free press is guaranteed by law, but most media are state-controlled. There are a few private radio stations. The Cape Verdean government runs TCV, the main television channel, and Radio Nacional De Cabo Verde. Community radio has a larger presence in Cape Verde than print media due to the difficulty of distributing papers to every island. Print publications in Cape Verde include weekly papers like A Semana, Expresso de Ilhas, and A Nação, along with Artiletra, a monthly paper. Portuguese and French radio are both available via FM relays.

Santiago: visit World Heritage Sites

Home to more than half of Cape Verde's population, Santiago is diverse in landscape and activity. Cidade Velha, a World Heritage site of ruins from first European settlement in the tropics, is a must-see for its cliff-side views of the sparkling Atlantic. Summer in Santiago is also a hot time for music and cultural pride with the lively Gamboa festival in May and Tabanka In June.

Santo Antão: eat and drink like a local

Get a taste for Cape Verde from Mercado Municipal in Ribeira Grande or one of Santo Antão’s coconut palms. The island’s landscapes vary from lush vegetation to colorful city squares, and a car ride is the best way to see it all. Blend in with the locals and sample Cape Verdean rum, grogue, produced on Santo Antão.

Boa Vista: shop in Sal Rei

Beyond Boa Vista's golden beaches and date-tree lined coasts sits Sal Rei, the island's capital. Experience Sal Rei's swimming bays and boatyards, colonial-style churches and royal salt, then stop at the city's shopping square, Praça de Santa Isabel, for fresh produce and souvenirs like African batik cloth and carved wooden figures.

Bird-watching

Cape Verde’s islands are home to several rare breeds of African birds like sparrows, swifts and warblers. The islands are excellent spots to see Western Palearctic seabird colonies and land bird fauna. Many species of birds endemic to Cape Verde are endangered, but increased interest from wildlife-lovers promoting conservation may help reverse this trend.

Sal: soak up the sun and surf

Sal’s white sandy beaches and evaporated salt deposits make it an adventurer’s paradise. Float in a natural salt lake in the salt mines, which were originally built in a dormant volcano. For more extreme sports, Kite Beach is perfect for wind and kitesurfing. Sal is also famous for its scuba dives, which have everything from shipwrecks and stingrays to reefs and overhangs. Santa Maria’s beach town on the island’s southernmost tip also has bars and restaurants where you can finish the day just in time to catch incredible sunsets on the shoreline.

Fogo: ogle at the volcano

The fiery island of Fogo’s beautiful volcanic peak, Pico de Fogo, is visible from craters in the west. Most hotels and guesthouses are in the island’s largest city, São Felipe, which has approximately 20,000 residents. Shop in the busy marketplace, weave through colorful houses and Portuguese-influenced sobrado buildings, and taxi to the craters from there. Pico de Fogo’s influence rules the island, home to black sand beaches and houses built from lava rocks.

Sao Vicente: dance the night away

Dance to live music in the cultural melting pot of Cape Verde. Mindelo Harbor drew sailors from across the globe to this city, paving the way for sultry Cape Verdean morna folk music and upbeat coladeira. For a taster, try Cesaria Evora, a national icon. Sao Vicente’s annual Baia de Gata festival also attracts thousands of attendees each year.

Overview

Shopping on the islands is low-key and is mainly found in local markets. Toiletries and other day-to-day items can be expensive as most things are imported, but the markets are a great place to look for handicrafts. Basket-weaving is a popular past-time, and artists fashion utensils and figurines from clay.

Opening Hours

Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900.

Overview

Cape Verdean food is an enticing mixture of Creole, Portuguese and African flavours. The islands have a wealth of seafood which is often cooked straight from the sea. The influx of tourists is causing an increasing number of quality restaurants to open up.

Regional Specialities

Tipping

It is normal to give 10% for good service.

Drinking Age

 18 to purchase alcohol.

Hotels

The number of hotels in Cape Verde is increasing rapidly as the country markets itself as a tourist destination. There are large international chain hotels on the main islands, while there are several beach resorts in Sal. Alternatively, you can stay in beach huts or pensions on the smaller islands. Booking ahead is essential during the high season (April to September).

History

The Portuguese discovered and colonised the archipelago of 10 volcanic islands that now constitute Cape Verde in 1462. The settlement on São Tiago (Santiago) was the first European toehold in the tropics and was ideally located as a supply point for slaves traded to Brazil and the West Indies.

The end of the slave trade in the 19th century marked the beginning of a lengthy period of economic decline. However, in time Cape Verde recovered and re-established itself as an important commercial center and stopover point for fleets shipping British coal to the Americas.

In 1951, Cape Verde’s status was redefined from that of a Portuguese Guinea colony, to an overseas province. In the 1960s and early 1970s, the islands were used as a garrison by the Portuguese army, while many members of the growing independence movement fled to Guinea-Bissau, to form the Partido Africano de Independência do Guiné e Cabo Verde (PAIGC) under revolutionary leader Amilcar Cabral.

Cape Verde achieved independence peacefully in 1975, following Portugal’s 1974 revolution shortly after the granting of independence to Guinea-Bissau, with whom Cape Verde had close political associations. The PAIGC took control of the political activities of both countries and full unification was discussed. This proposal was shelved after the 1980 coup in Guinea-Bissau, after which the Cape Verdean branch of PAIGC was renamed the Partido Africano da Independência de Cabo Verde (PAICV).

At the turn of the 1990s, the Government held elections in February 1991. The Movimento para Democracia (MPD) won both the legislature and the race for the Presidency. The MPD held onto both Presidency and national assembly in 1995, but lost both to the PAICV in 2001, when José Maria Pereira Neves was named prime minister and Pedro Pires elected president by a mere 12 votes.

Although lacking natural resources Cape Verde is considered one of the most developed and democratic countries in Africa with its economy largely focused on tourism and foreign investment. In 2013 the government decided the Portuguese designation ‘Cabo Verde’ would be used for all official purposes.

Did you know?

Pico de Fogo is the region’s largest active volcano and last erupted in 2014.

The Tavares brothers, who formed the international hit-making group of that name in 1973, are of Cape Verdean descent. Their hits include It Only Takes a Minute and More Than A Woman.

Although Portuguese is the official language of government, the native tongue is Cape Verdean Creole.

Religion

80% of Cape Verdeans practice Catholicism. Of the remaining, 10% are Protestant and the others belong to smaller religious denominations. The Catholic majority comes from Portuguese influence.

Social Conventions

The usual European social courtesies should be observed.

Best Time To Visit:

Cape Verde's subtropical climate makes year-round travel pleasant and worthwhile. The islands experience a windy season (Tempo de Brisas) from October to mid-July and a rainy season (Tempo das chuvas) that lasts from August to September. The islands receive sunshine year-round with the longest days from March to May.

Windy season (October-July) average temperatures range between 25-29°C (77-84°F). This is the best time for surfing and other water sports in Cape Verde, and sea temperatures don't usually dip below 23°C (73°F).

During rainy season (August-September), high temperatures can break 30°C (86°F) so rainfall can be a welcoming relief. Sea temperatures are warmest during this period at 27°C (81°F).

The best time to visit Cape Verde is from February to June when the days are long and sunny. The temperature at this time averages around 23°C (73°F). Keep in mind that the windward islands of São Vicente, Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista will be cooler than the leeward islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava.

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Required Clothing

Lightweight throughout the year, tropical for midsummer. Nights can get chilly, so packing a lightweight jacket might help. Walking shoes or boots are appropriate for hikes.

Dialing Code:

+238

Area(sq km):

4033

Population:

555.987

Population Density(per sq km):

135

Population Year:

2020

EU Member:

No

Main emergency number

130
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