cape verde travel advisory

Security Alert May 17, 2024

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Travel Advisory July 31, 2023

Cabo verde - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise normal precautions in Cabo Verde.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Exercise Increased Caution in:

• Praia due to  crime .

Read the  country information page for additional information on travel to Cabo Verde.

If you decide to travel to Cabo Verde:

• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night.
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
• Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is.
• Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program  ( STEP ) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Cabo Verde.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel.

Praia – Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution

Violent crime, such as burglary, armed robbery, and assault, occurs in Praia.

Embassy Message

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Quick Facts

Six months beyond the date of intended departure

One page required for entry stamp

Not required for tourist travel under 30 days

1 million Cabo Verdean escudos or equivalent

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Praia Rua Abilio Macedo 6 C.P. 201 Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde Telephone: +(238) 260-8948 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: + (238) 991-3325 Fax: +(238) 261-1355 Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Requirements for Entry : 

• Passport valid for at least six months beyond intended duration of visit
• Visa – except if entering for tourism for less than 30 days 
• International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP) World Health Organization (WHO) card if arriving on flights from Senegal or other West African countries 

Visas :  Effective February 24, 2020, U.S. citizens entering Cabo Verde for tourism for less than 30 days do not require a tourist visa. For tourist visits longer than 30 days, two types of visas are available: a single-entry visa valid for up to 90 days or a multiple-entry visa valid for five years. Visit the  Embassy of Cabo Verde website  for the most current visa information.

You may also apply for a visa upon arrival, valid for a single entry stay of 30 days, and pre-pay at least five days prior to traveling through  www.embcv-usa. gov .cv , or apply and pay in cash (Euros, U.S. Dollars, or Cabo Verdean Escudos) or by Visa/Mastercard, upon arrival at one of the country’s four international airports:

• Nelson Mandela International Airport 
• Cesaria Evora Airport 
• Amilcar Cabral International Airport 
• Aristides Pereira International Airport 

Travel with Minors :  For both entrance to and exit from Cabo Verde, any parent traveling with a minor should carry the child’s birth certificate. If the child is not traveling with both parents, the non-accompanying parent(s) should provide a signed statement consenting to the child’s travel and naming the adult accompanying the child. 

Airport Security Fee :  All foreign citizens planning to travel to Cabo Verde are required to complete a pre-arrival registration and pay the Airport Security Fee (TSA) at the online electronic platform  EASE  at least five days prior to entering Cabo Verde.   

The following travelers are exempt from paying the TSA: 

• Children under two years old; 
• Passengers on official missions on aircrafts in the private service of Cabo Verde or foreign countries, on a reciprocity basis;   
• Passengers on planes forced to return to the airport, due to technical or meteorological reasons or any other reasons beyond their control;   
• Transfer passengers; 
• Citizens holding a Cabo Verdean passport, their children under 18 years old, and their spouses, upon presentation of a valid ID card (Passport, Identity Card, or National Identification Card);   
• Resident foreigners, upon presentation of the Residence Permit, Residence Visa, or other valid identification document. 

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Cabo Verde. 

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction , and  Customs Information  on our websites. 

Safety and Security

Exercise extreme caution when participating in water sports, such as swimming, boating, and fishing, as the tides and currents around the islands are very strong. Several small fishing boats have been lost at sea, and drownings have occurred on the beaches and along the coast in Santiago, Sal, and on other islands. 

The entire island of Fogo is an active volcano. Future eruptions remain a threat, as do earth tremors throughout the islands, especially on Fogo, Brava, and Santo Antão, and beneath the ocean channels that separate them. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available  on our website .

Crime :  Petty crime and burglary are common in Cabo Verde, especially at marketplaces, festivals, street fairs, and public gatherings. Criminals target anyone perceived to be affluent, regardless of nationality. Avoid groups of children who appear to have no adult supervision, since the perpetrators of petty theft and pickpocketing are often groups of street children. Muggings occur often, particularly at night and in more isolated areas, and often involve violence. The perpetrators are predominantly males between the ages of 14 and 25 operating in groups of two or more. Due to inadequate lighting in many public areas, you should be especially vigilant after dark, carry a flashlight to illuminate your path, and never go out alone. You should also keep vehicle doors and windows locked and avoid isolated places. 

It is dangerous to use hillside stairways connecting neighborhoods in Praia and many other Cabo Verdean cities and towns, even in broad daylight. These stairways isolate users and make them vulnerable to assault. 

International Financial Scams :  See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information. 

Victims of Crime :  U.S. citizen victims of crime are encouraged to contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. 

Report crimes to the local police at 132 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(238) 260-8900 or after hours at +(238) 991-3325. Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating crime and prosecuting offenders. 

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas . 

We can: 

• Help you find appropriate medical care. 
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent. 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion. 
• Provide a  list of local attorneys .
• Provide our information on  victim’s compensation programs in the United States . 
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution. 
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home. 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport. 

Domestic Violence :  U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence are encouraged to contact the Embassy for assistance. 

Tourism :  The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities are not common. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment may not be readily available. First responders are generally unable to access areas outside of major cities to provide urgent medical treatment. There is no hyperbaric/decompression chamber in the country for scuba divers. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance . 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Cabo Verde are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.   

The Department of State warns all U.S. citizens against taking any firearms or ammunition into Cabo Verde. If you are caught entering Cabo Verde with firearms or ammunitions, you may face severe penalties, including prison time. 

Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and  the Department of Justice  website.

Arrest Notification:  If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  website  for further information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods:  Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in both Cabo Verde and the United States.  U.S. citizens who buy these goods are punishable under Cabo Verdean law. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the  U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI events in Cabo Verde.

See   our  LGBTI  page and our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance:  There are significant hardships in Cabo Verde for persons with limited mobility due to rugged terrain, widespread use of cobblestone streets and pathways, very limited number of elevators in buildings, and frequent power outages.

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips  page.

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

For emergency services in Cabo Verde, dial  132 . 

Medical facilities in Cabo Verde are limited, and some medications are in short supply or otherwise unavailable. The country’s largest hospitals are in Praia and Mindelo. There are smaller public health centers and private medical clinics, of variable quality in both personnel and equipment, throughout the country. Transportation between islands is difficult, and inter-island medevac options are limited. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have operational airports, which makes air evacuation in the event of a medical emergency difficult. 

Those traveling to Cabo Verde for scuba diving should be aware that there is no hyperbaric/decompression facility on the islands. 

Ambulance services are: 

• not widely available, and training and availability of emergency responders may be below U.S. standards.   
• not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas.
• not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment.   
• not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment.   
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance. 

We do not pay medical bills.   Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance. 

Medical Insurance:   Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See  our webpage  for more information on insurance coverage overseas. Visit the  U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  for more information on types of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas. 

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation. 

Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging, along with your doctor’s prescription.  

Vaccinations:   Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  

Further health information:   

•   World Health Organization  (WHO)
•   U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)   

Air Quality:   Visit  AirNow Department of State  for information on air quality at U.S. embassies and consulates. 

The U.S. Embassy maintains a  list of doctors and hospitals .  We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic. 

Health facilities in general:

• Public medical clinics lack basic resources and supplies.   
• Most hospitals and medical professionals require cash payment. 
• Medical staff may speak little or no English.  
• Psychological and psychiatric services are limited, with hospital-based care only available through government institutions.  

Pharmaceuticals:

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the Food and Drug Administration are responsible for rules governing the transport of medication back to the United States. Medication purchased abroad must meet their requirements to be legally brought back into the United States.  Medication should be for personal use and must be approved for usage in the United States.  Please visit the  U.S. Customs and Border Protection  and the  Food and Drug Administration  websites for more information.    

Water Quality:

• In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe.  Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.  

Adventure Travel:

• Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Adventure Travel .

General Health:

The following diseases are prevalent: 

• African Tick-Bite Fever  
• Chikungunya  
• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Tuberculosis

Use the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended mosquito repellents and sleep under insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets.  Chemoprophylaxis is recommended for all travelers even for short stays.

Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for more information about  Resources for Travelers  regarding specific issues in Cabo Verde.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:  Cabo Verde has an extensive road system. On the islands of Santiago, Sal, and São Vicente, many urban and rural roads are asphalt. On other islands, some roads are narrow, winding, and mostly cobblestone.

During the rainy season, cobblestone roads are especially slippery, and mud and rockslides are common on roads that cut through mountains. Roads and streets often are unlit and driving at night is hazardous.

Traffic Laws :   Most accidents result from aggressive driving, speeding, passing on blind curves, and/or on inclines or declines in the rain.

Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a serious problem in Cabo Verde and U.S. citizens could face severe penalties, including prison time, for driving under the influence. You are most likely to encounter a drunk driver on Sundays and at night. Exercise extreme caution toward both pedestrians and other drivers after celebrations, festivals, and open-air concerts as well as during holiday periods, such as Christmas, New Year’s Eve, and Carnival.

Public Transportation :   Praia has three principal modes of public transport: taxi, bus, and commuter vans. Using buses and vans is strongly discouraged. These vans may have a fixed, but flexible route and often contain more passengers than is safe. Licensed, registered taxis are clearly marked and tan/cream in color. While official taxis are considered safe and reliable, passengers should still exercise good common sense and avoid sharing a taxi with strangers.

See our  Road Safety page  for more information.

Aviation Safety Oversight:  The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Cabo Verde’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Cabo Verde’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel :  Mariners planning travel to Cabo Verde should also check for U.S. maritime  advisories and alerts . Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  NGA broadcast warnings .

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on X (formerly known as "Twitter") and Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

 For additional IPCA-related information, please see  the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act (ICAPRA)  report.

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Cape Verde Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

• Packing List

After Your Trip

Be aware of current health issues in Cape Verde. Learn how to protect yourself.

Level 1 Practice Usual Precautions

• Updated   Global Dengue August 14, 2024 Dengue is a year-round risk in many parts of the world, with outbreaks commonly occurring every 2–5 years. Travelers to risk areas should prevent mosquito bites. Destination List: Afghanistan, and Austral Islands (Tubuai and Rurutu), and Bora-Bora), Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, including the Galápagos Islands, El Salvador, French Guiana (France), French Polynesia, including the island groups of Society Islands (Tahiti, Ghana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Iran, Laos, Mali, Marquesas Islands (Hiva Oa and Ua Huka), Mauritius, Mexico, Moorea, Panama, Samoa, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Uruguay

⇧ Top

Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

• Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil
• Avoid floodwater

Clinical Guidance

Schistosomiasis

• Wading, swimming, bathing, or washing in contaminated freshwater streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, or untreated pools.

Avoid bug bites

African tick-bite fever.

• Avoid Bug Bites

African Tick-bite fever

Chikungunya

• Mosquito bite
• Mosquito bite
• An infected pregnant woman can spread it to her unborn baby

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Cape Verde, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the Department of State Country Information Pages for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Cape Verde. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Cape Verde include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Cape Verde’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Cape Verde may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Cape Verde, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Cape Verde for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

If your doctor prescribed antimalarial medicine for your trip, keep taking the rest of your pills after you return home. If you stop taking your medicine too soon, you could still get sick.

Malaria is always a serious disease and may be a deadly illness. If you become ill with a fever either while traveling in a malaria-risk area or after you return home (for up to 1 year), you should seek immediate medical attention and should tell the doctor about your travel history.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

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Travel Cape Verde

Want to travel to Cabo Verde on holidays or on business? Here you can find services and all the information that you will need

Forms and services for travelers

Fill out the form required for your trip or schedule your test online

Access the official website, find out more information and follow the situation of COVID-19 in Cape Verde 

Since September 15, 2022, Cape Verde Removed All COVID19 Restrictions​

1. register and pay the airport fee.

Go to page ease.gov.cv , register and pay the airport fee. You can also ask your travel agency to do it

2. Reservation or Hotel Name

Where you will be hosted during your stay

Download the travel guide

Click here and download the travelers guide PDF and have access to more information

Test Locations

Visitors who need to perform tests should contact the Public Health Authority within 72h (PCR) / 48h (Antigeneo) to make the necessary arrangements. RT-PCR or antigens tests are available in every island

*Grant access to your geolocation to find places near you, you can also:

Book your test online   here

Visitors who need to perform tests should contact the Public Health Authority within 72 / 48h hours to make the necessary arrangements. RT-PCR or antigens tests are available on the following islands:

Observations and recommendations

For safe travel, follow the instructions

Health insurance and travel assistance

Visitors are advised to take out health insurance and travel assistance, which includes medical care for Covid-19.

Body Temperature

Upon arrival in Cabo Verde, your body temperature is checked.

In case of fever, cough or shortness of breath

If it is higher than 37.5oC, you will be sent to an isolated room at the airport for further evaluation.

While staying within the national territory,foreign visitors must, like nationals and residents, follow the rules, at all the times, instructions, health and safety measures in force in the country, as well as the instructions of the authorities.

At Ports or Airports

Follow the instructions of the authorities or travel agent

QR Code or Filled Form

You must show show the QR Code or filled paper form at the health control

Social Distance

Always mantain the minimum social distance of a meter and a half stipulated by law.

Disinfect your hands

Frequently and avoid touching handrails, countertops or other surfaces

Always keep your protective face mask on. Its use is not mandatory, but is recommended in any situation of crowding and closed spaces.

Frequently Asked Questions

Travel Recommendations

Informative and educational videos on how to travel safely. Play your part, be responsible!

Copyright © 2020 | Todos os direitos reservados

Covid-19 - SARS-CoV-2

Since september 15, 2022, cape verde has lifted all covid-19 restrictions.

Visit the official website for more information and updates on the COVID-19 situation in Cape Verde.

1. Register

2. hotel reservation or name, download the official bulletin in pdf.

Testing Locations

Visitors who need to undergo testing should contact the Public Health Authority at least 72 hours in advance for necessary arrangements. RT-PCR or antigen tests are available on the following islands:

Island of Santo Antão

Island of São Vicente

Island of Santiago

Observations and Recommendations

For a safe journey, follow the instructions

Health Insurance and Travel Assistance

In case of fever, cough, or shortness of breath, body temperature, recommendations, at ports or airports.

Follow the instructions of authorities or your travel agent

QR Code or Form

Social distancing, hand hygiene, travel recommendations.

Informative and educational videos on how to travel safely. Do your part, be responsible.

INFORMATION ON COVID-19

In late 2019, in the Chinese city of Wuhan, the new coronavirus SARS-COV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome - coronavirus 2) appeared, causing severe respiratory infections in humans.

The symptoms are similar to those of a common flu but can progress to a more serious illness, such as pneumonia, acute respiratory failure, kidney and other organ failure, and eventual death.

Hand hygiene

Individual mask, breathing etiquette, physical distance, symptom monitoring, feeling sick.

Explore Cape Verde

Sun and beach, mountain trails, landscapes of a nature that so easily springs up everywhere and a wealth of customs and traditions that does not translate into any price: Cabo Verde is a paradise that rests by the sea .

With the morabeza of the people and the magic that is only found in Islands of sun and sea, this archipelago is a universe of experiences to discover.

Sun & Beach in Cape Verde

Nature & Adventure in Cape Verde

Nautic Tourism in Cape Verde

Culture & Art in Cape Verde

Cruises in Cape Verde

Sign up for our newsletter and discover travel experiences you’ll really want to try.

Travel Cabo Verde

Fill out the form required for your trip or schedule your test online

Travel Guide

1. register and pay the airport fee.

Go to page ease.gov.cv , register and pay the airport fee. You can also ask your travel agency to do it

2. Do a PCR or antigens test

Contact the Public Health Authority up to 72 hours in advance to make the necessary arrangements

3. Fill out the health monitoring form

Find forms above for international and domestic flights. Fill the form before you get to ghe airport

4. Negative test result for COVID-19

In order to be allowed to check-in you'll have to present the test you took with negative result for covid-19

5. Reservation or Hotel Name

Where you will be hosted during your stay

Download the travel guide

Click here and download the travelers guide PDF and have access to more information

Test Locations​

Visitors who need to perform tests should contact the Public Health Authority up to 72 hours in advance to make the necessary arrangements. RT-PCR or antigens tests are available on the following islands:

*Grant access to your geolocation to find places near you, you can also:

Book your test online   here

Observations and recommendations​

Health insurance and travel assistance.

Visitors are advised to take out health insurance and travel assistance, which includes medical care for Covid-19.

Body Temperature

Upon arrival in Cabo Verde, your body temperature is checked.

In case of fever, cough or shortness of breath

If it is higher than 37.5oC, you will be sent to an isolated room at the airport for further evaluation.

While staying within the national territory,foreign visitors must, like nationals and residents, follow the rules, at all the times, instructions, health and safety measures in force in the country, as well as the instructions of the authorities.

At Ports or Airports​

Qr code or filled form.

You must show show the QR Code or filled paper form at the health control

Social Distance

Always mantain the minimum social distance of a meter and a half stipulated by law.

Disinfect your hands

Frequently and avoid touching handrails, countertops or other surfaces

Always keep yout protective face mask on. Its use is mandatory by law

Frequently Asked Questions

Work Remotely

Come to work in a safe, calm and welcoming environment. We are ready to receive you

Travel Recommendations

Informative and educational videos on how to travel safely. Play your part, be responsible!

Copyright © 2020 | Todos os direitos reservados

A beginner's guide to Cape Verde

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written by Georgia Stephens

updated 12.02.2019

Eternally sun-soaked and sculpted by the elements, Cape Verde – almost 600km off the west coast of Africa – is far more than just a destination for reliable winter warmth. Its islands (Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava) seem to go from one environmental extreme to another, offering visitors everything from undulating sand dunes to forest-swathed mountains and everything in between – even an active volcano. Here’s everything you need to know about exploring this utterly unique African archipelago.

Our guide to Cape Verde

(Continued below...)

Let’s start with the basics, as it’s safe to say that many would struggle to point to Cape Verde on a map. If you find yourself floundering, look for the Canary Islands and let your gaze drift southwest for 1,000km, or simply strike out into the Atlantic from Senegal and keep going west until you make landfall. It’s an isolated island chain, that’s for sure.

A brief history of the islands

Any visitor to the islands needs to know a little about Cape Verde’s fascinating – albeit tragic – history. For a long time, the islands were completely uninhabited, save perhaps for the turtles that arrive seasonally to nest. But in 1456, Cape Verde was discovered by Portuguese sailors who, realising its strategic position, quickly settled and built it into an outpost for the slave trade.

Over the years, the descendants of slavers and slaves developed a unique Creole culture on Cape Verde, not quite African, not quite European. The people who live here are still around seventy percent mixed race, speak a mixture of Portuguese and Creole, and use the Euro alongside the Cape Verdean Escudo.

Tarrafal beach on Santiago island in Cape Verde © Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

Which islands should I visit?

Sal and boa vista.

A couple of islands over, Santiago is the largest in the archipelago and home to over half of Cape Verde’s population. It was the first island to be settled by the Portuguese and is considered the most African in culture. Don’t miss the lively market in the capital city of Praia, where you can buy all kinds of fish, spices and fresh produce.

Fogo , meanwhile, is instantly recognisable thanks to the simmering volcano at its heart, which last erupted in 2014. The local population, many of which are descended from the same promiscuous French nobleman, still live amid its lava flows and cinder cones, perched on steep slopes overlooking black sand beaches.

São Vicente

To the north, São Vicente is the islands’ cultural capital and home to Mindelo, Cape Verde’s prettiest and most sophisticated city. Over the years it’s been frequented by poets, free-thinkers and artistic types, including famous Cape Verdean singer Cesária Évora. The island is known for its vibrant nightlife, and every August it hosts the Baia das Gatas Festival, a three-day extravaganza of local music.

Santo Antão

Finally, Santo Antão is the remotest island in this remote island chain. It is the polar opposite of Sal and Boa Vista, characterised by towering peaks, terraced fields and thick forests full of banana palms and papaya trees. If you were wondering how Cabo Verde (literally “Cape Green”) earned its name, you’ll probably find some clues here.

Santo Antao, Cape Verde © Plrang Art/Shutterstock

What things shouldn’t I miss?

First off, the island of Sal takes its name from its historic salt production, and you can see how it was produced at Pedra de Lume on the island. Here, you’ll find a sea of shimmering salt lakes in the crater of an extinct volcano, alongside the crumbling machinery once used for salt extraction. Take a dip in the medicinal waters and, thanks to the salt, you’ll float like a cork.

You can pair this visit with a trip to Shark Bay , which is also on Sal. You can wade out into the ocean to join a school of lemon sharks, which cruise up and down this area hunting for fish. While the sharks aren’t a threat to people, it’s still exhilarating watching their fins slicing through the waves. Make sure you hire a pair of water shoes on the beach, as the rocks here can be sharp.

On Fogo, it’s possible to climb Pico do Fogo , Cape Verde’s only active volcano and highest peak (2829m). It's a three to six hour walk, depending on your fitness. The paths can shift with the movement of the knee-deep ash, so it’s worth hiring a guide to take you up to the crater. Some of the guides experienced the 2014 eruption first hand, and their tales make for fascinating, albeit unsettling, listening.

Over on Santiago, the highlight is the UNESCO-listed city of Cidade Velha (once known as Ribeira Grande), built by the Portuguese in 1462 as the first European settlement in the tropics. It was at one point Cape Verde’s capital, and you can still see the remains of its fortress, churches and town square, where disobedient slaves were punished. It only flourished until 1770, when sustained pirate attacks led the Portuguese to name nearby Praia Cape Verde’s capital instead.

Cidade Velha old fort on Santiago Island, Cape Verde © Samuel Borges Photography/Shutterstock

What about the food?

Unsurprisingly, Cape Verde is best known for its fresh seafood, which can go from ocean to plate in a matter of hours. You’ll find dorado, wahoo, snapper, scorpionfish and tuna alongside a multitude of other delicacies on menus across the islands, often served under the ubiquitous ‘fish of the day’ label with a side of chips or rice.

Alternatively, try the Cape Verdean speciality cachupa , a hearty stew simmered for hours with beans, herbs, cassava and sometimes meat. As it takes a long time to prepare, it’s usually only available for one or two days each week, so grab it when you see it. If you’re feeling brave, wash it down with a glass of grogue , a strong traditional tipple hailing from the maritime days made by a small, family-run distillery on Santo Antão.

Cachupa, a classic slow-cooked Cape Verdean dish © AS Food studio/Shutterstock

Anything else I need to know before I go?

Cape Verde is a year-round destination, with temperatures rarely dipping below 20°C, though it’s best to avoid the rainy season between July and October.

There are international airports on Sal, Santiago, Boa Vista and São Vicente. You can get around the islands cheaply by taking one of the ferries, but they are typically slow and unreliable, and the crossings can be rough. Instead, you can fly between most of the islands with Binter Cabo Verde .

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Travel advice and advisories by destination

COVID-19: travel health notice for all travellers

The Government of Canada’s official source of travel information and advice, the Travel Advice and Advisories help you to make informed decisions and travel safely while you are outside Canada. Check the page for your destination often, because safety and security conditions may change. See Travel Advice and Advisories – FAQ for more information.

Where are you going?

Take normal security precautions

Exercise a high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Travel advice from other countries

Travel advice is also provided by the governments of Australia , New Zealand , the United Kingdom and the United States .

Risk Levels

  take normal security precautions.

Take similar precautions to those you would take in Canada.

  Exercise a high degree of caution

There are certain safety and security concerns or the situation could change quickly. Be very cautious at all times, monitor local media and follow the instructions of local authorities.

IMPORTANT: The two levels below are official Government of Canada Travel Advisories and are issued when the safety and security of Canadians travelling or living in the country or region may be at risk.

  Avoid non-essential travel

Your safety and security could be at risk. You should think about your need to travel to this country, territory or region based on family or business requirements, knowledge of or familiarity with the region, and other factors. If you are already there, think about whether you really need to be there. If you do not need to be there, you should think about leaving.

  Avoid all travel

You should not travel to this country, territory or region. Your personal safety and security are at great risk. If you are already there, you should think about leaving if it is safe to do so.

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Entry requirements

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).

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Cape Verde.

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.

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Last verified: Tuesday, 13. August 2024 at 08:21 AM

Cape Verde Travel Advisory

• Western Africa
• Cape Verde Travel Advice

Travelling Cape Verde is (relatively) safe

Local situation: 2.5 / 5.

Travelling Cape Verde is (relatively) safe. We detected travel advisories from 4 sources for this specific country.

Regional Situation: 2.5 / 5

This country shares no land border with any other country. Thus, the region score is identical to the country risk rating.

Current informationen on Covid-19 in Cape Verde

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Cape Verde. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET).

There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Cape Verde.

Source: www.ecdc.europa.eu

Advice scoring history for Cape Verde

Chart of the risk level over that last 200 days. This is the daily calculated travel risk for Cape Verde.

Chart of the number of sources over that last 200 days. This is the daily number of advisory sources (of any rating) that have been active on that day.

Note: Changes happening on the 28th/29th of July 2019 are related to a change in the software and number of sources processed.

Rating Details (single travel warnings)

These are the individual advisories published by other countries about the destination Cape Verde from a travellers perspective. The scoring of all messages combined is the foundation for the current rating 2.5 out of 5.0 .

This is the general advisory usually covering the country as a whole.

Advisory issued by: New Zealand

If you are planning international travel at this time, please read our COVID-19 related travel advice here, alongside our destination specific travel advice below.

Source: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/cape-verde

Advisory issued by: United States

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed. Exercise normal precautions in Cabo Verde.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory. Exercise Increased Caution in: Praia due to crime. Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Cabo Verde.

Source: http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/cabo-verde-travel-advisory.html

Advisory issued by: Finland

Iaktta normal försiktighet - Det allmänna säkerhetsläget är gott och Kap Verde är ett tryggt resmål. Fickstölder och rån är vanliga. Undvik att röra dig ensam när det är mörkt.

Source: https://um.fi/resemeddelande/-/c/CV

Advisory issued by: Canada

The Canadian goverment suggests: Exercise a high degree of caution.

Source: https://travel.gc.ca/destinations/cabo-verde

Individual rating changes for Cape Verde

This is the recent history of individual changes of travel advices that affected the total asessment of Cape Verde. Most recent events first.

Changes from December 7th 2021

The total rating for Cape Verde changed from 3.5 to 3.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government decreased their existing warning for Cape Verde to 2.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 4.0 (by -2.0).

Changes from August 18th 2020

The total rating for Cape Verde changed from 3.8 to 3.5 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government decreased their existing warning for Cape Verde to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 5.0 (by -1.0).

Changes from August 7th 2020

The total rating for Cape Verde changed from 2.8 to 3.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The United States government increased their existing warning for Cape Verde to 5.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 1.0 (by +4.0).

Changes from March 22nd 2020

The total rating for Cape Verde changed from 2.5 to 2.8 . Here are the influencing details:

The Canadian government increased their existing warning for Cape Verde to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from March 18th 2020

The total rating for Cape Verde changed from 2.3 to 2.5 . Here are the influencing details:

The Irish government increased their existing warning for Cape Verde to 4.0 (of 5.0) from the previous rating of 3.0 (by +1.0).

Changes from September 25th 2019

The total rating for Cape Verde changed from 0.0 to 0.0 . Here are the influencing details:

The Finnish government issued a new warning for Cape Verde with a rating of 2.0.

The Irish government issued a new warning for Cape Verde with a rating of 3.0.

The Canadian government issued a new warning for Cape Verde with a rating of 3.0.

The United States government issued a new warning for Cape Verde with a rating of 1.0.

About Cape Verde

Cape Verde with its capital Praia is a country in Africa (Western Africa), slightly larger than Rhode Island (4,033 km²). The country is located Western Africa, group of islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Senegal. The climate can be described as temperate; warm, dry summer; precipitation meager and erratic. The landscape is steep, rugged, rocky, volcanic. With a population of about 0.43 million citizens.

Cape Verdean flag

Introduction Video

Basic Statistics and Facts

Environmental problems and natural hazzards.

These are problems Cape Verde is facing. Environmental issues refer to damages of the nature due to industry and society. Natural hazzards refer to potential dangers originating in nature.

Environmental problems

• deforestation due to demand for firewood
• desertification
• environmental damage has threatened several species of birds and reptiles
• illegal beach sand extraction
• overfishing
• soil erosion
• water shortages

Natural hazzards

• Fogo (elev. 2,829 m), which last erupted in 1995, is Cabo Verde's only active volcano
• prolonged droughts
• seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust
• volcanically and seismically active

Top Industries and Agricultural Products

These are the main product industries and agricultural products of Cape Verde. This list indicates what this country is good at producing.

• fish processing
• salt mining
• ship repair

Agriculture products

• sweet potatoes

Cape Verdean Imports and Exports

These are the main product categories of imports and exports to and from Cape Verde.

Export products

• fuel (re-exports)

Import products

• industrial products
• transport equipment

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current travel advisory for cape verde.

Cape Verde is currently rated at 2,5 out of a possible 5.0. Collected from 4 official sources. Travelling Cape Verde is (relatively) safe.

Is it safe to travel Cape Verde in 2024?

You are good to go, enjoy your trip to Cape Verde.

How many travel advisories do you know for Cape Verde?

We currently evaluate 11 official sources each morning. Today, we know of active advisories from 4 individual sources for Cape Verde.

What is the current Corona virus situation in Cape Verde?

There are currently no officially reported cases of infections with SARS-CoV-2 (or Coronavirus) in Cape Verde. As reported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control this morning (~8:30am CET). There are currently no officially reported deaths related to this disease in Cape Verde.

What is the size of Cape Verde?

Cape Verde has a size of 4,033 km² or 1,557 mi² which is slightly larger than Rhode Island.

Common Frequently Asked Questions

For non-country specific questions, please check our global F.A.Q.

Travel safety map for Cape Verde.

If you want to embed Cape Verde travel warning information into your website or application, check out these tools.

• Is Cape Verde safe to travel?
• What's the safety situation in Cape Verde?
• Are there security warnings for Cape Verde?

2020-03-10: Integrated data from European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (COVID-19/ SARS-CoV-2/ Coronavirus).

2019-09-01: Added timeline charts for risk level and number of advisories.

2019-07-29: Added two more sources (Finland and Denmark). Affects country ratings.

2019-07-15: South-Sudan was missing and was added today.

2019-05-18: Performance improvements for API users.

2019-03-23: Introduced professional API with more data.

2019-02-13: Added three more sources (Cyprus, Ireland and Malta). Affects country ratings.

The Pilot Who Explores

Discover expert travel tips, layover guides, and airline reviews from a professional pilot. Enhance your travel experience with The Pilot Who Explores.

The Ultimate 7-Day Cape Verde Itinerary (& 7 Pro Tips)

When I embarked on a journey to the small, remote Cape (Cabo) Verde islands in the middle of the Atlantic, I did not know what to expect.

Would the islands, because of their deep importance with the Atlantic slave trade routes, remind me of my travels across Senegal ? Or instead, would they remind me of the Canary Islands or even the Azores?

What I experienced instead was totally unexpected – and far better.

Though I’m jealous of those who get to spend weeks on end in these enchanting islands, a week is just enough to get a good taste of Cape Verde. And perhaps little enough to make you want to come back for more.

The Ultimate 7-Day Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) Itinerary

This jam-packed 7-day expedition across Cape Verde is sure to maximize your exploration and enjoyment of these magnificent islands.

• Fly directly to Sal, Cape Verde (SID) and explore this magnificent desert-island: 2 days
• Hop on a local turboprop plane and ferry to Santo Antão for 3 days of ultimate hiking
• Ferry back to São Vicente for an incredible night in Mindelo
• Turboprop it down to Praia, Santiago Island and enjoy the most underrated island of Cape Verde: 2 days

Pro Tip : Book a multi-city ticket finishing your trip in Praia – where you can either fly directly to Europe and Africa, or connect in Sal for your onwards flight. This way you do a nice circuit tour of the islands.

Related: The 20 Ultimate Things to Do in Sal, Cape Verde [2023-2024]

What to do with 9 days in Cape (Cabo) Verde?

An additional adventure I wish I had done in Cabo Verde is exploring the nation’s only active volcano , on Fogo Island .

Some people only spend one full day in Fogo, as it is a small island. However, I recommend taking a full 2-day dose of this gem so you have time to hike and rest.

What you need to know before traveling to and around Cape Verde

Cape verde travel requirements.

As of May 2023, Cape Verde has removed all Covid-19 restrictions.

• Many flights are running to Sal and Praia from Europe and Africa, on airlines such as Air Senegal, TAP Air Portugal, Azores, Royal Air Maroc, and TUIFly.
• Restaurants are mostly open as pre-covid, with only a few restaurants that shut down during the pandemic.
• There is not currently a curfew or limitations on seating, indoors or out.

Pro Tip: iVisa is a great tool to assist with the any visa concerns you may have prior to entering Cape Verde. They offer free advice and information without needing to sign up for anything.

How to book flights within Cape Verde

The pre-covid airline that was running convenient flights between the Cape Verde islands, TICV, is out of business. Replacing that airline is BestFly – an Angolan airline that picked up TICV’s route structure, airplanes, and infrastructure.

In other words, you will basically have the same services as before.

I’ve had zero luck booking my flights on BestFly’s online website . The online payment always fails. However, the website is a great place to check schedules. And maybe you’ll have better luck booking than I did.

I’m told by locals that the BestFly website online works for bookings made a month or more ahead. I’m not even sure that’s true.

Since we were much more last-minute with our bookings, we were forced to visit a travel agency in Cape Verde to book our flights for a surcharge of about $11USD per booking. There are many tour agencies; Girassol (2 locations in Santiago), Polar (Praia, Santiago), Barracuda Tours (Sal), Morabitur and more.

Pro Tip : If you can’t book online with BestFly, contact a tour operator as early as possible; flights tend to fill up 3-10 days ahead, and there’s no way to book them once they’re full.

Best way to rent a car across Cape Verde

There’s an excellent, family owned, one-stop rental car company that covers almost all of the islands.

They’re called caboverde Rental Cars and they have top-rated partners around most of the airports and ferry terminals.

I mention them now because you can sort out all your bookings from one convenient website instead of having to crawl around searching for each one individually.

First Stop: Sal, Cape Verde (2 Days)

Sal is characterized as a typical beach destination for sunshine-seeking European holidayers looking to get some sun. But it can be fun too. In fact, I absolutely recommend reading about the 20 Ultimate Things You Can Do in Sal, Cape Verde .

What to do in Sal, Cape Verde

Our favorite activity in Sal was the diving at the Santa Maria Dive Center , which was much better than we ever expected.

• Dive crystal-clear warm waters beaming with sea life
• Rent an ATV Quad and hop along sand dunes
• Go for a swim and enjoy the beach or resort life

Take a kite surf lesson

• Enjoy Cape Verde’s finest cuisine

Dive Cape Verde’s splendid waters

Divers from abroad might be surprised to hear that the diving in Cape Verde is actually quite good . From large shipwrecks to underwater mountains and enormous drop offs, there’s something to see for everyone.

The infrastructure is actually pretty good too, with lines attached down to popular shipwrecks and well documented dive sites. Depths vary from 30 feet for some wrecks to 130+ feet on some of the walls.

Underwater wildlife includes giant turtles, manta and eagle rays, sharks of various sorts, and occasionally even whales!

Rent an ATV and explore salt and sand dunes

There’s no shortage of ATV / 4×4 rentals in Santa Maria, and the entire island is quite accessible.

You can reach the Dune of Sal from Santa Maria in about 10 minutes for a world of fun hopping around the dunes.

The combination of constant, strong trade winds and miles of pristine shoreline makes for a wonderful place to kite surf. There are dozens of outfits that have kite surf schools , including Mito & Djo Kite Surf School.

Relax at the beach

Looking to unwind and relax? I can’t blame you. After all, it’s likely you had a long journey to get here.

Sal offers miles and miles of unspoiled white sand beaches and clear, turquoise water.

Ponta Sino, the main beach just off of Santa Maria, is a wonderful place to relax. Afterwards, head to nearby Cape Fruit and grab a fresh fruit smoothie to rehydrate after a day of sun.

Best places to eat in Santa Maria

As a mega hub for European tourists, Sal has quite a few restaurants… and many of them are quite good!

Although we loved Cape Fruit for a quick snack and healthy food, we loved Soul Kitchen for its truly exceptional cuisine and prime beachfront location.

Another great spot is R estaurante Farolim, located on a jetty over the water. It’s probably the best-placed restaurant on the island.

Best places to stay in Santa Maria

There are plenty of places to stay in Santa Maria, Sal, for all kinds of budgets.

For those visiting Sal on a lower to average budget, we strongly recommend Casa Pau and Casa Blue . Both offer shared or private rooms, options of fantastic complimentary breakfast, and great service.

Those on a higher budget won’t struggle to find world-class resorts, such as the Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria – with the absolute prime location of the island.

Next stop: the brilliant island of Santo Antão, Cape Verde (3 Days)

Wondering why this itinerary calls for 3 days in Santo Antão, unlike the other islands?

Here’s why;

Santo Antão is Cape Verde’s best island

If you’re planning on staying longer on any particular island, Santo Antão is the one you should choose.

In every single island we visited, I mean every island, the locals told us about their favorite island: Santo Antão.

And the second we arrived in Porto Novo, we understood why.

Santo Antão: also the most beautiful island of Cape Verde?

Without a doubt, Santo Antão takes the cake for most beautiful island not just in Cape Verde, but much of the world.

Extravagant valleys and jaw-droppingly massive volcanic mountains and cliffs make the island jut out of the Atlantic with incredible beauty.

The islands are raw nature at its finest, and there’s no other way to put it.

You can experience the beauty of Santo Antão on a plethora of amazing hikes located on all corners of the island.

How to get from Sal to Santo Antão, Cape Verde on the same day

Wondering how to get to Santo Antão?

It’s very easy from Sal or Santiago. All it takes is a flight to Sao Vicente and then a ferry ride to Santo Antão.

Getting from Sal to Santo Antão, all the way on the other end of the Cape Verde islands, may seem like a stretch – especially considering that Santo Antão does not have an active airport.

But it’s feasible, even easy.

You’ll need to book a flight on BestFly from SID-VXE (Sal to São Vicente). The flight should arrive in Sao Vicente before 1PM so you can make the 2PM ferry to Santo Antao.

As of November 2021, there is a 950AM or 1150AM flight (depending on the day) on BestFly from Sal to São Vicente. There are also two flights per day from Praia.

Getting from Sao Vicente Airport to the Ferry

The next step is getting to the ferry in São Vicente so you can head to Santo Antão.

Upon arrival, exit to the left and head to a taxi stand. Ask for the ferry. A one-way fare from São Vicente to the Mindelo Ferry Port costs 1000CVE ($10USD) and takes 15-20 minutes.

The ferry schedule, as of November 2021, is as follows:

The last departure to Santo Antão departs at 1400, which can be made with ease if you take any flight departing from Sal before noon.

Pro Tip : Make sure to book your ferry ticket ahead at CV Interhilas to skip the line and have an easier time.

The ferry from São Vicente to Santo Antão costs about 800CVE per person and takes just under an hour.

Renting a car from the ferry port in Santo Antão

You can rent a car directly from the ferry port in Porto Novo, Santo Antão.

We rented a lovely 4×4 Suzuki Jimmy for less than $50USD per day with Vale&Montanha . A representative from the rental agency had the car ready and waiting for us at the port.

He had us sign a few papers, leave a $200USD deposit (cash only) and then we were on our way. We had no hassles or issues with our rental.

The best hotel in all of Cape Verde. Surprise: it’s not expensive!

We spent hours going through all of the hotels on Santo Antão before we found this one. And even then, it took a couple phone calls and some patience before we confirmed our reservation for one night.

And what a night it was.

Quinta Cochete , located basically in the middle of the island, is such a gem of a hotel. It’s not expensive, at less than $100USD a night, but it should be.

The food here is at standards not found outside top chef restaurants in Europe, the views include 360 degrees of complete stupefaction, and if that’s not enough there’s a complete garden and animal farm to keep you company.

The owner is supremely friendly and the ambiance here is of utmost relaxation. You’ll be in a prime location to start some of the best hikes on the island and after eating to your hearts content and sleeping like sleeping beauty, you’ll be ready for them.

What to do in Santo Antão

The whole time we were in Santo Antão, we had one thought: “man, this place really gives Hawaii a run for its money”.

There’s just so much nature to enjoy here. Make sure to:

• Head up to Ponta do Sol for epic sunset and sunrise views.
• Hike along the north shore from Ponta do Sol through Fontainhas onto Corva and take a taxi back
• Visit Paul’s Cove and explore the area
• Get lost driving around the island in a 4×4 and enjoy the most epic views of your life

Third stop: Mindelo, São Vicente

Mindelo is a surprisingly large and densely populated city in São Vicente.

Here you’ll find sailboats moored on the gorgeous bay surrounded by jagged volcanic mountains with brightly colored houses and building adorning the hills of the city.

There are a number of great restaurants and hotels here, and Mindelo makes for a quite pleasant – but not totally necessary stop.

How to get from Santo Antão to São Vicente

You have the choice between a 9AM or 4PM ferry, either of which takes about an hour. We chose to take the 4PM ferry and spend a night exploring Mindelo, but you could take a 9AM ferry followed by a flight to your next destination.

Again, booked on CV Interhilas.

The Ultimate Night in Mindelo and What You Need to Know

After hopping off the ferry, take a taxi for 200CVE ($2USD) and head to the nicest viewpoint in Mindelo; the Casamarel.

Pro Tip : Avoid non-official taxis if you can. It’s pretty obvious when you see the car.

The Casamarel is a well-priced yet luxurious and not yet discovered restaurant/hotel with a lovely pool and even better views.

Stay and eat here for a wonderful evening of good food, great accommodations, and a view on the city and bay for sunset. Maybe with your bae. Up to you.

Walking around Mindelo is generally safe, but we were told to take taxis at night. We did not and had no issues; it’s up to you to decide. The locals probably know best.

What to do around Mindelo

• Perfect your negotiation skills at the Central Market
• Take a swim on the white-sand Praia de Laginha
• Rent a scooter and explore the island

Make sure not to miss the Central Market of Mindelo. It’s one of the more authentic ones I’ve seen.

There’s an incredible white-sand beach right in the heart of downtown called Praia de Laginha . It makes for a fun afternoon of jumping in and out of rough waves.

Pro Tip : For those looking to explore more of São Vicente, there’s a scooter rental called Zoom Zoom Mindelo. You’ll find decent prices and great scooters.

The island of São Vicente is very accessible and has generally exceptional roads.

Final/fourth stop: Santiago Island (2 Days)

Next up is Santiago island, a totally underrated gem. Praia , the capital of Cape Verde, is located here and people unfortunately tend to conflate it with the entire island of Santiago.

Praia isn’t the nicest city, but the rest of the island of Santiago provides absolutely magnificent mountain views combined with lovely coves and wonderful beaches.

How to get to Praia, Santiago

To get to Santiago, you’ll have to fly into Praia. Here’s how to get there from São Vicente.

From Mindelo, take a taxi to São Vicente airport (VXE). The ride lasts about 10 minutes and costs 1000CVE ($10).

BestFly generally runs two flights a day from São Vicente to Praia, Santiago.

Security is generally not an issue in São Vicente airport as there are hardly international flights.

Again, make sure to have your Covid-19 documents ready – with QR code.

Renting a car in Santiago: the struggle is real

There are several local agencies as well as a Hertz, though we were unable to get in contact with any of them.

Instead, our hotel arranged for us to rent from someone local for 5000CVE/day – about $50USD.

It is otherwise not terribly hard to get around the island by taxi or ‘alaguer’ – shared shuttles.

The only issue: taxis are expensive and alaguers wait to fill up before leaving, leaving you waiting. However, alaguers tend to be very cheap with fares as low as 300CVE to get all the way across the island.

Must-sees on Santiago island

Santiago has so much to offer, and honestly ended up being one of our favorite islands.

We had plenty of great food, wonderful accommodation at Dunas de Areia Preta, and were welcomed by so many lovely locals. And the sights are absolutely stunning.

Make sure not to miss:

• Piscina Natural de Cuba, a “natural swimming pool”/amazing oasis
• Silverbeach, a volcanic beach in Tarrafal
• Parque Nacional de Serra Malagueta, the most amazing mountain chain on the island

Bonus stop: Fogo Island

Literally translating to “Island of Fire”, Fogo is Cabo Verde’s only active volcanic island.

As the active volcanic island, Fogo provides for some incredible hikes up to the crater.

How to get to Fogo Island

• Fly on BestFly or take a ferry on CV Interilhas

On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, CV Interhilas runs a fast ferry from Praia, Santiago to Fogo island. It take approximately 3.5 hours and costs 3300CVE (about $34 USD) per person.

There are also flights to/from Fogo on BestFly, the local inter island airline. Watch out – these tend to fill up far in advance.

How to get around Fogo

Although we would rent a car, especially in a time crunch, it is possible to get all around Fogo by taxi or Alaguer.

What to do in Fogo

• Hiking Fogo National Park to the crater
• Enjoying a road trip around the island
• Hanging out with local fisherman and enjoying fresh seafood

The main attractions of course, is to hike the volcano of Fogo!

Many tour companies offer guided tours of the volcano, including equipment rental.

The ring road going around the island also provides epic views on the volcano and surrounding islands, especially around sunset and sunrise.

In summary, the ultimate 7-day itinerary in Cabo Verde includes:

• Flying to Sal from Europe or Africa
• Enjoying 2 days of ATVs, beaching, diving, relaxing, sunning, and kitesurfing
• Navigating from Sal to Santo Antão on the same day
• Exploring Cabo Verde’s most beautiful island, Santo Antão, for 2 days by hiking and road tripping
• Taking the local airline down to Praia, Santiago Island
• Dipping in a natural pool, walking on volcanic sand beaches, taking in the spectacular views of Santiago for 2 days
• Flying home, via Europe, Sal, or Africa

Theres an enormous amount to do and see in Cabo Verde, and hopefully this allows you to see the most on your 7-day trip.

Thanks for reading! Consider these similar posts:

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Insider's guide to visiting Cape Verde

Although this is undoubtedly Africa, European influences in the towns are unmistakable, in the architecture, language and even religion. There is a bounty of Portuguese, German, French, Dutch and Italian speakers, but you may never hear another English voice on the islands. That, along with the astounding landscapes, the year-round warm climate and the most hypnotic music east of Havana, is reason enough to visit this miniature Galápagos on a shark-encircled sea-mount off Africa.

What to see in Cape Verde

Where most of the Cape Verde islands are millions of years old, Fogo ('fire') is only a few hundred thousand years young. It is a classic sea-mount volcano rising up from the sea, its most recent eruption (1995), a sooty black cone jutting through the clouds. The original crater is now 12km wide and home to a group of smaller, more recent craters, the Chã das Caldeiras ('plain of volcanoes'). In the complex dispersal of peoples around the archipelago, Fogo was only settled in the 18th century. Some chose to live in the old crater, where the mineral-rich soil supports farming and even the local Chã de Fogo Vinho Tinto, a smooth country red wine with a distinct overtone of Ribena. An international team of vulcanologists keeps an eye on the smoking volcano's behaviour. Fogo's tiny capital, São Filipe, is a lovely if ramshackle jumble of wooden houses on a steep slope above cliffs overlooking a black volcanic beach. You come for the volcano, not creature comforts. Despite its shortcomings, Fogo more than compensates with the breathtaking, alien landscape of volcano and crater.

If you were looking for a location to film a sci-fi epic set on Mars, you could do worse than come to the red deserts and salt pans of Sal. This is a world-class wind- and board-surfing destination: the winds here, unimpeded by any land since they roared out of the Sahara Desert, are so strong you could go parascending with a tea bag. Known chiefly for its international airport, Sal is also home to one of the most attractive destinations in the archipelago (though now under threat by property developers): the long white beaches and turquoise seas that run in either direction from the fishing village of Santa Maria. With its open-air bars garlanded with lights, and people and music spilling into the streets, Santa Maria is a great place to go bar-hopping. There are wind- and kite-surfing centres on Santa Maria's beach, but serious surfers tend to take their boards to Pedra de Lume in the north-east, where the conditions have won plaudits even from Hawaiian surfies. The German-run (but anglophone) Stingray diving centre on the beach near the Odjo d'Agua offers everything from beginners' courses to advanced wreck and reef dives.

The first of the Cape Verde islands to be settled, Santiago is also the largest in the archipelago and site of its capital, Praia. Praia is built on a dramatic plateau above the port and bay, but its suburbs have spread into the surrounding hills. The low-rise architecture is a mix of 19th-century, colonial English and Portuguese, much of it in disrepair. Its grid of boulevards and squares conceals a cinema and at least one decent outdoor bar-restaurant, the Sofia. Sucupira market, below the wall of the plateau, is the biggest and liveliest in Cape Verde. It's also the place to catch an aluguer (bus) across the island, which is where Santiago comes into its own. The main tourist destination outside Praia is Tarrafal, a tiny port on a crescent of gold sand backed by palm trees. Between Praia and Tarrafal is an extraordinary switchback ride over two spectacular mountain ranges, the Serra do Pico do Santo António and the Serra da Malagueta. (Buses stop halfway, in the market of Assomada, where you have to get another bus; connections are fairly frequent). Hamlets cling to the very tops of the mountains, largely because escaped slaves sought refuge here. Away from the beach, Tarrafal is a half-built dump, but the beachfront has two good international hotels.

SÃO VICENTE

Santiago may have the Cape Verdean capital, but the islands' cultural and political heart is the São Vicente port of Mindelo. It is the most sophisticated city in the archipelago and the hub of its music industry (when not in her adopted Paris, Evora lives here); and over the years it has been a breeding ground for poets and revolutionaries educated at its lycée. Mindelo has one of the archipelago's most venerable music venues, the Café Musica on Rua Lisboa, and several shops specialising in Cape Verdean music. And each August, at full moon, the island hosts a three-day festival of Cape Verdean music on the beach at the Baia das Gatas ('bay of cats') on the east coast. The Cape Verde Cultural Centre, in a converted warehouse on the quayside, is worth visiting. It has a workshop selling traditional fabrics, a small museum and bookshop, a cafeteria in the leafy courtyard and one of the many Internet cafes in the islands. Although Saõ Pedro has a good hotel - Hotel Foya Branca - it is a fly-blown one-horse hamlet with little to commend it beyond its beach. The windsurfing is excellent, but it points up that tiresome corollary of any windsurfing beach: however good the surfing, it's perfect hell for anyone who just wants to use the beach.

Where to stay in Cape Verde

Odjo d'agua hotel.

One of the best places to stay is this small, locally owned hotel. It has a garden, a pool, anachronistically decorated rooms (antiques and curios, fishing equipment and so on) and an open-air restaurant-bar jutting out into the sea, where you can dine as the Atlantic rollers crash past. Its menu tends towards steak and burgers, but also includes freshly caught fish such as wahoo. (+238 242 1400; odjodagua-hotel.com )

PESTANA TRÓPICO HOTEL

This is the best place to stay. Built around a large pool, it is quiet, airy and spacious, with generously proportioned rooms and suites, plus a bar and restaurant. Here, as at most other restaurants in the islands, the cuisine will typically include bacalhau (cod) or the Cape Verde staple cachupa, a distant relative of paella or gumbo which comes pobre ('poor', ie vegetarian) or rica ('rich', with meat or fish). Cachupa takes a long time to prepare, so order it a day in advance. Praia (00 238 261 4200, pestana.com ).

SAO VICENTE

Hotel oásis atlântico porto grand.

Mindelo has at least one decent international hotel, where the decor is rather conference-hotel anonymous but the restaurant is good, tending towards a Cape Verdean version of nouvelle, with fried goat's cheese starters, avant-garde salads and exotic sauces. It also has a large swimming pool and terrace. Mindelo (00 238 232 1176; oasisatlantico.com ).

Where to eat out in Cape Verde

This is the best place to eat in Sao Filipe, it juggles pasta and other international dishes with Cape Verdean staples. Afterwards, check out Club Trópico for a taste of how São Filipe rocks.

CHEZ LOUTCHA

This hotel/restaurant has local musicians playing Cape Verdean folk on Wednesdays and Fridays, and the food is delicious, with perhaps 50 different dishes of chicken, goat, fish and seafood, including the inevitable cachupa. Rua de Coco, C.P. 303, Mindelo (+238 232 1636, chezloutcha.com )

How to get to Cape Verde

Sal International Airport, Praia Airport and São Pedro International Airport.

AIRLINES FROM THE UK

Royal Air Maroc flies direct between the UK and Praia in Cape Verde. Flight time is approximately eight hours.

When to go to Cape Verde

Cape Verde has a monsoon season between August and October, and trade winds from October to June. December to April are the months favoured by windsurfers (non-surfers beware). Climate varies between islands and altitudes in the mountains.

Travel tips for Cape Verde

A Portuguese phrase book, such as the one published by Rough Guide, is essential, although English is spoken in most hotels. Acclimatise in either of the two cultural capitals - ideally, scruffier Praia before Mindelo - before lighting out for the territories. If you plan to spend time on Sal, leave it until last, as you'll be flying out from there. Fogo is unmissable, but try to visit other mountainous islands - preferably Santiago and Santo Antão, in that order - before tackling the volcano. Read Aisling Irwin and Colum Wilson's Cape Verde Islands: The Bradt Travel Guide (£13.99) before booking. Hotel star ratings rarely accord with European standards, and much accommodation was built to serve business travellers on a budget. In general, you should pay as much as you can to avoid checking into the Bates Motel. Overbooking and delays are common on flights with the inter-island TACV airline. Always reconfirm flights as advised, check in early and factor possible delays into connecting flights. Ideally, pre-book an itinerary with an agency such as Cape Verde Travel. Credit cards are not usually accepted outside international hotels, and the Cape Verdean escudo is a closed currency without value outside the islands. Take travellers' cheques or dollars instead.

Although there are no vaccination requirements for Cape Verde, there is some dispute over the possibility of malaria on Santiago between October and December. Take advice from a travel agent and your doctor.

Travel Advice for Cape Verde

Going to Cape Verde and need to know about the latest government travel advice for Cape Verde? Find the updated travel advice and travel warnings for Cape Verde from governments around the world, here.

General Travel Advice and Warnings for Cape Verde

The decision to visit to Cape Verde is your choice and you are responsible for your individual safety and security whilst in Cape Verde.

The material on this web page is offered information only and gathered from travel advice and warnings for Cape Verde by authorities around the world to their citizens.

While we make every effort to give you most recent travel advice details, it is provided on an “as is” basis without warranty of any kind, expressed or implied.

This owners of this web site does not assume responsibility and will not be liable for any damages in connection to the information given.

General Cautions You Need to Bear In Mind Whilst Travelling in Cape Verde

Crime – Petty criminal offenses such as pick pocketing in a jampacked environment to sexual assault and robberies do occur in bigger cities of Cape Verde. Make sure that all your personal valuables, such as passports and other traveling documents, are safe at all times.

Terrorism – Constantly be aware of your surroundings whenever in public places. Be particularly cautious if going to sporting occasions and during religious holidays and various other public events, as terrorists often make use of such occasions to mount attacks.

Demonstrations and Protests – Demonstrations might occur. Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transport. It is in your interest of safety and security to keep away from locations where demonstrations and big events are happening and comply with the guidelines of local authorities. Monitor local media in Cape Verde for information on continuous protests in Cape Verde.

Scams – Take caution in crowded tourist areas in Cape Verde, where scammers target tourists. If you have actually been scammed in Cape Verde, get to a safe area quickly; make note, as soon as possible of the name and address of the facility where you were held; alert the authorities in Cape Verde and acquire a record and if your credit card is used by the scammer call your credit card provider to inform the fraud; they will likely request a copy of the police report to cancel the financial transaction.

Spiked Food and Beverages – Never ever leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of complete strangers whilst taking a trip in Cape Verde or anywhere else. Be wary of accepting snacks, drinks, gum or cigarettes from unknown acquaintances. These items may have drugs that might put you at risk of sexual assault and mugging.

What is the entry/exit conditions for Cape Verde?

Every nation or territory chooses who can enter or exit through its borders, likewise Cape Verde chooses exactly who enter its borders. The Government of your home country can not step in on your behalf if you do not satisfy your Cape Verde’s entry or exit requirements.

For more information regarding the entry/exit requirement for Cape Verde see visa requirements for Cape Verde or obtain the latest info with the visa office at the Cape Verdean embassy in your home country.

Travel insurance coverage for Cape Verde

Travel health cover is among the major reasons visitors obtain travel insurance policy. It will not stop you getting sick or hurt, though it can avoid you being affected financially. Medical aid overseas can be very expensive.

You need to shell out for all treatment you receive overseas. You can not expect to get free or subsidised care through your Cape Verde’s public health system, like you would in your home country.

If you can’t pay, local authorities might jail you. The government from your home country can not pay you medical costs for you, loan you cash or get you out of jail.

You require travel insurance for travelling to Cape Verde . You also need to make certain you pick a plan that is right for you.

Read the small print of your travel insurance policy.

Declare all pre-existing conditions to your travel insurance firm upfront. If you don’t, you may void your travel insurance policy.

Inform your travel insurer the activities you plan to do, prior to you go. Many common activities like skiing are left out in standard policies. You might need to pay added.

Check if you have free credit card travel insurance policy. Some cards include travel insurance policy cover. Nevertheless, they commonly have various conditions than paid policies. Be aware of the differences.

If you’re going to Cape Verde from a country that has a reciprocal healthcare arrangement, you still require travel health insurance. Agreements are restricted in what they’ll will cover.

If you have an incurable ailment, you might not be able to obtain basic travel insurance policy. However you might have the ability to find a specialised insurance provider that covers you for health, mishaps or property issues unrelated to your ailment. Talk with your insurer to find out.

Find out more about getting worldwide travel insurance coverage for Cape Verde before you go.

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