Travel Insurance for Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an island country in Africa, consisting of 10 islands. It has a mix of European and African cultures, and each island offers travellers a unique cultural experience. We’ve compiled some important travel information and some fun activities for you to participate in on your next trip to Cape Verde.
Emergency Contact Information
When travelling to Cape Verde, it’s important for you to know what the emergency numbers are. Call 132 to be put in touch with the police, 131 to reach the fire department, and 130 if you need an ambulance or emergency medical services.
Cape Verde has no British embassy, so if you need an emergency travel document or other consular services, you should reach out to the British Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal.
Travel Safety Tips
Muggings, bag snatching, and pick pocketing can be somewhat common in tourist areas, so keep your belongings stored securely in your bag and avoid flashing your personal property and valuables in public. Make use of your hotel safe and don’t carry more cash than you need.
While there is no risk of yellow fever, travellers are required to have a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Travellers should also be aware that there is a moderate risk of contracting Zika virus in Cape Verde, a low risk of contracting malaria on Santiago Island and Boa Vista Island, and a low risk of contracting Shigellosis on Boa Vista Island.
Travellers are asked to wear a mask when in crowded places and when going into clinics and hospitals, unless you are except due to medical reasons. Anyone caught possessing illegal drugs may face large fines and a prison sentence.
From August to October, Cape Verde can experience hurricanes and there may be sand storms from December and February. Consult the local weather reports and follow the advice of the local authorities if you are faced with extreme weather while travelling. There tends to be strong currents around the islands, so you should be careful when swimming.
For more travel advice and information, check out the FCDO travel advice for Cape Verde and to make sure your holiday goes smoothly, you should cover your trip with travel insurance.
Places to Visit in Cape Verde
The Cape Verde islands are so small, they’re perfect for day trips and island tours. The cities may be small, but between the sunny beaches, music, and local attractions, you won’t be short of things to do and see. Getting to the furthest places on each island won’t take more than 90 minutes, so you should consider renting a car to get around. If you’re not sure where to visit in Cape Verde, here are our favourite islands.
Santiago Island
This large island is the home of Cape Verde’s capital, Praia. This city is where most tourists choose to stay when they visit Santiago Island. At Praia Harbour you’ll find the Lighthouse Dona Maria Pia. From there, you can do a short walk to either Prainha Beach or Praia Negra Beach. The Museu Etnográfico da Praia (Praia Ethnographic Museum) is near Quebra Canela Beach. Snap a photo of the Presidential Palace and the nearby Diogo Gomes Monument and Quartel Jaime Mota. Look out for restaurants serving cachupa, Cape Verde’s national dish. Take a gander at Sucupira Market, where you’ll find fresh food, souvenirs, and other goods. Get out of the city and drive to Tarrafal Beach and Chã de Areia beach. Climb the mountains at Serra do Pico de Antónia Natural Park and go hiking at Natural Park of Serra Malagueta. You should also visit Assomada Market, São Filipe Royal Fortress, and Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Boa Vista Island
One of the top cities to stay in on Boa Vista Island is Sal Rei. The water around Sal Rei is one of the best places for whale watching, scuba diving, and snorkelling. Hop on a boat to Sal Rei islet to see the lighthouse and forte Duque de Bragança. Swim and sunbathe at Estoril beach, Diante beach and Cabral beach. Stop by the Museu dos Naufragos (the Shipwreck Museum) and Sodade restaurant, which also has a House of Memories Museum. Take a day trip to see the shipwreck at Atalanta beach, the Morro de Areia Nature Reserve, or explore Curral Velho, the deserted village. There are many trails around the island, and Mount Estância and Mount Santo António are great for hiking.
Sal Island
If you’re going to Sal Island, you’ll want to stay in Santa Maria. It’s at the bottom of the island, but it’s surrounded by sandy beaches, with great surfing and snorkelling opportunities. Check out the fresh fish caught by the locals at the Pier of Santa Maria and have lunch at Ponta de Vera Cruz. Learn more about sea turtles at the turtle hatchery at Project Biodiversity (Projeto Biodiversidade) or spend a few hours at Pachamama Eco Park. Try out ziplining or head to the country club for a round of golf. If you want to explore the rest of the island, head to Calheta Funda Nature Reserve, hike Mount Leste, and explore Buracona (the Blue Eye Cave). Other great places to go to are Shark Bay, the Terra Boa desert, and the North Point Lighthouse.
São Vicente Island
While you’ll find accommodation in Calhau, São Pedro, and the other villages on São Vicente Island, many people prefer to stay in São Vicente’s only city, Mindelo. You can swim at Lajinha Beach and Cova de Inglesa in Mindelo, or on one of the many other beaches on the island. Visit the Núcleo Museológico Cesária Évora (Cesaria Evora Museum), the Sea Museum in the replica of Belem Tower, and Alternativa Galeria for a better insight to Cape Verdean culture. Get some photos of Fortim d'El Rei ruins and stop by the Centro Nacional de Artesanato e Design (National Centre for Art, Crafts, and Design). The residents of São Vicente love music, and you’ll find lots of Cape Verdean music playing in bars and clubs. There are many other things to do on the rest of the island. You can do the 3-mile hike to the summit of Monte Verde in Monte Verde Natural Park or go diving around Djeu islet, just a 10-minute boat ride from Mindelo. São Vicente Island is the home of some of the best carnivals and festivals, such as the Carnival of Mindelo.
Santo Antão Island
To get to Santo Antão Island, you’ll need to get a plane to São Vicente Island and get the ferry from Porto Grande. Ponta do Sol, Paul, and Janela are some of the most popular places to stay on Santo Antão Island, but the biggest city with the greatest variety of accommodation is Porto Novo. This city will give you the best access to different activities around the island. You could stay in the city centre or rent some equipment and go diving. There are many hiking trails around the villages of Santo Antão. Hike to the Delgadinho mountain ridge and near the Ribeira da Garça and go trekking in Fontainhas and Ribeira Grande. Check out the Trapiche Dona Nininha Museum and the synagogue ruins in Sinagoga. Go to Tarrafal to do some whale, dolphin, and sea turtle spotting. Don’t forget to stop for some grogue, Cape Verde’s national drink.
