Best Time to Visit Cape Verde
Best Months
November, December, March, April, May, June
Seasons
November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June
Warm, dry, and sunny with the strongest trade winds. Peak season for kitesurfing and windsurfing and prime European winter-sun months from December to March.
July, August
Hotter and more humid with lighter winds, good for calm-water swimming and diving.
September, October
The warmest and most humid period, with the small chance of a brief tropical shower, mostly on the greener southern islands.
Cape Verde Visa Requirements
Cape Verde is visa-free for citizens of the EU, UK, United States, Canada, and many other countries. You do not apply for a visa; instead you pay a mandatory Airport Security Tax (Taxa de Seguranca, or TSA) of around 34 US dollars (31 euros), which you should register and pay online through the official EASE portal before you travel. It can also be paid on arrival. Visitors can normally stay visa-free for up to 30 days. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality before booking, as entry requirements can change.
e-Visa Available
Yes
Cost
$34 USD
Validity
30 days
Visa on Arrival
Yes
Requirements
- • Passport valid for at least 6 months
- • Return or onward ticket
- • Proof of accommodation
- • Paid Airport Security Tax (TSA) registered via the EASE portal
Is Cape Verde Safe?
Cape Verde is one of Africa's safest and most politically stable countries, and the great majority of visits are entirely trouble-free. The main risk is petty theft, mainly pickpocketing and bag-snatching in busier parts of Praia and Mindelo, especially after dark. The resort islands of Sal and Boa Vista are very safe for tourists.
Safe Areas
- ✓ Santa Maria and the resort areas of Sal
- ✓ Sal Rei and the resorts of Boa Vista
- ✓ Central Praia and Mindelo by day
- ✓ Tourist and hiking areas across the islands
Areas to Avoid
- ✗ Quiet or poorly lit streets of Praia at night
- ✗ The Sucupira market area of Praia after dark
- ✗ Isolated beaches alone after dark
Safety Tips
- • Keep valuables out of sight in Praia and Mindelo, particularly at night
- • Use hotel safes and carry only what you need
- • Take licensed taxis or hotel transfers after dark
- • Respect ocean warning flags; some beaches have strong currents
- • Carry small amounts of cash for markets, cafes, and taxis
Cape Verde Travel Costs
| Budget Level | Daily Cost | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| budget | $45-$90/day | Guesthouses, self-catering, local food, shared aluguer minibuses |
| mid range | $110-$220/day | Hotels or all-inclusive resorts, restaurants, some excursions |
| luxury | $280-$600/day | Top resorts, private tours, island-hopping by flight |
Health & Vaccinations
Required Vaccinations
- •Yellow Fever (Only required if arriving from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission)
Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Tetanus, Hepatitis B
Healthcare
Reasonable private and public facilities on Sal, Santiago (Praia), and Sao Vicente, but limited on the smaller islands, where serious cases may require transfer. Comprehensive travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Tap Water: Not safe - drink bottled water
Getting to Cape Verde
International Airports
Amilcar Cabral International Airport
Espargos, Sal (SID)
Main HubAristides Pereira International Airport
Rabil, Boa Vista (BVC)
Nelson Mandela International Airport
Praia, Santiago (RAI)
Cesaria Evora Airport
Mindelo, Sao Vicente (VXE)
Major Airlines
TAP Air Portugal, Cabo Verde Airlines, TUI Airways, easyJet, Binter Canarias, Neos
Cape Verde Highlights
Must See
- • Santa Maria beach and town on Sal
- • Pedra de Lume salt crater on Sal
- • The dunes and Santa Monica beach on Boa Vista
- • Cidade Velha on Santiago (UNESCO World Heritage)
- • Mindelo on Sao Vicente, the home of morna music
Unique Experiences
- • Kitesurfing and windsurfing off Sal
- • Guided loggerhead turtle watching on Boa Vista (June to October)
- • Hiking the green valleys of Santo Antao
- • Climbing Pico do Fogo, an active volcano
- • Whale watching for humpbacks (March to May)
Off the Beaten Path
- • Wine villages inside the Fogo caldera
- • The remote island of Brava
- • Quiet, undeveloped Maio
- • Tarrafal beach in northern Santiago
- • The rugged trails of Sao Nicolau
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Verde a safari destination?
No. Cape Verde is a volcanic Atlantic archipelago with no big game, so there are no lions, elephants, or Big Five safaris. Its appeal is beaches, kitesurfing and windsurfing, diving, whale and turtle watching, volcanic scenery, hiking, and Creole music and food. Travelers often pair it as a separate beach trip rather than a wildlife one.
Do I need a visa to visit Cape Verde?
Most Western visitors do not need a visa. Citizens of the EU, UK, US, Canada, and many other countries can enter visa-free and simply pay an Airport Security Tax (TSA) of around 34 US dollars (31 euros), which you should register and pay online via the official EASE portal before you travel. Visitors can usually stay up to 30 days. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality.
Is Cape Verde malaria-free?
Yes. The World Health Organization certified Cape Verde as malaria-free in 2024, so the tourist islands such as Sal and Boa Vista do not require antimalarial medication. This is one of Cape Verde's biggest advantages over many mainland African and Indian Ocean beach destinations and makes it especially appealing for families.
When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
Cape Verde is warm and dry all year. November to June brings the strongest trade winds and is ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing, while December to March is peak European winter-sun season. July and August are hotter and calmer for swimming, and September to October is the most humid with a small chance of a brief shower.
Which Cape Verde island should I visit?
For a first trip, Sal is the easiest, with the main international airport, the widest choice of hotels, Santa Maria's long beach, and world-class kitesurfing. Boa Vista is quieter and wilder, with giant dunes, the longest empty beaches, and nesting turtles. For history choose Santiago, for music choose Sao Vicente, for hiking choose Santo Antao, and for a volcano choose Fogo.
What currency is used in Cape Verde?
The local currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), which is pegged to the euro. Euros are widely accepted in hotels, resorts, and tourist areas, and cards are common in larger establishments, though it is worth carrying some cash for smaller cafes, markets, and taxis.