According to franciscogardening, the Cape Verde Islands (Portuguese: Cabo Verde, English: Cape Verde) forms an island group and country in the Atlantic Ocean (Africa). The Cape Verde Islands have been independent from Portugal since 1975 and consist of two parts. The Northern archipelago of Barlavento mainly consists of the islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista. The Southern Sotavento archipelago mainly consists of the islands of Santiago, Maio, Fogo and Brava. The capital of the Cape Verde Islands is Praia, located on the island of Santiago. A number of large cities on the Cape Verde Islands are: Mindelo, Assomada and Porto Novo.
The Cape Verde Islands are mostly mountainous and were created by volcanoes. There is also an active volcano called “Pico de Fogo”, which has a height of no less than 2,800 meters. The Cape Verde Islands are known for the many luxurious hotels and white sandy beaches. In addition to the large number of sun worshipers who visit the islands due to the fact that there is only 12 days of rain per year on average, the archipelago also attracts a large number of water sports enthusiasts. You can go diving, snorkelling and windsurfing around the islands. Parrot fish, barracudas, dolphins, porpoises and turtles live in the North Atlantic around the Cape Verde Islands. The islands are also known for the different music styles and the carnival.
Where are the Cape Verde Islands?
Travel information of Cape Verde Islands
Official name: Republic of Cape Verde
Continent: Africa
Area: 4,033 km²
Capital: Praia
Country code: CV, CPV
Population: 583,255 inhabitants (2020)
Form of government: Republic
Highest point: 2,829 m (Pico do Fogo)
Distance (Amsterdam – Praia): 4,854 km
Flight time: about 6 hours
Travel advice
Current status: Attention, safety risks.
Current color code: Yellow.
Corona
Due to the coronavirus (COVID-19), (temporary) measures may apply on the Cape Verde Islands that you as a tourist may have to deal with. For the most up-to-date corona travel advice, please refer to our special coronavirus travel advice page. For the number of current corona infections, number of deaths and various corona-related graphs of the Cape Verde Islands, please visit Countryaah.
Travel offer
On our travel offer page you will find an overview of reliable travel organizations that offer complete trips and holidays to the Cape Verde Islands. In addition, you will find an overview of separate travel components (car rental, hotels and airline tickets) with which you can compose your ideal trip yourself.
Travel guides and maps
Are you looking for a travel guide, map, walking map, cycling map, book or DVD about the Cape Verde Islands?
Weather and climate
The Cape Verde Islands have a tropical climate. The temperatures are between 20 and 30 degrees all year round.
The current weather (weather forecast) and a weather forecast for the Cape Verde Islands can be found on our extensive weather page.
Extensive information about the climate of the Cape Verde Islands can be found at Climate info.
Best time
April, May, June, October and November are the best months to travel to the Cape Verde Islands. This reduces the chance of rain and dust clouds. However, the chance of rain on the Cape Verde Islands is extremely small. The Cape Verde Islands only have between 5 and 20 rainy days per year.
Language
Portuguese is the official language on the Cape Verde Islands. The most spoken language is Crioulo (Cape Verdean).
Would you like to translate from or into Portuguese for free? Use the Google translator for this.
Travel documents
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months upon departure from the Cape Verde Islands.
A visa is not required for a stay of up to 30 days. However, you must pay an Airport Security Tax (TSA) of 3,400 escudos (approximately 30 euros) upon arrival. You can also arrange this before departure via registration.cv.zetes.com.
Embassies and consulates
Below is an overview of relevant diplomatic representations, including addresses and contact details.
Netherlands Embassy in Senegal (also for the Cape Verde Islands):
netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Dutch Consulate in the Cape Verde Islands: netherlandsworldwide.nl.
Embassy of the Cape Verde Islands in Belgium (also for the Netherlands): rijksoverheid.nl.
Consulate of the Cape Verde Islands in the Netherlands: conscv.nl.
For urgent assistance, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs 24/7 on +31247247247.
Vaccination (inoculation)
Before visiting the Cape Verde Islands, it is advisable to get one or more vaccinations.
For extensive vaccination advice and to make a vaccination appointment at home, please visit Thuisvaccinatie.nl. You can also see here whether your health insurance reimburses the vaccination(s).
Malaria
Malaria occurs on the island of Santiago. Malaria is an infectious disease transmitted by malaria mosquitoes. This infectious disease can lead to death if not treated in time and/or incorrectly.
For prevention and control of malaria, please visit our malaria page.
Money and Currency matters
On the Cape Verde Islands, payment is made with the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE).
The current position of this currency (currency, currency) can be found on our exchange rate page.
An overview of all ATMs on the Cape Verde Islands can be found on our ATMs page.
Price level
The prices on the Cape Verde Islands are a lot lower than in the Netherlands. The price difference with the Netherlands is on average 30%. Some examples are: restaurants (60% cheaper), food (10% cheaper), imported beer in catering (70% cheaper), cigarettes (60% cheaper) and public transport (75% cheaper). Please note that the price difference in tourist areas, especially during high season, may vary.
Tipping
It is customary to tip on the Cape Verde Islands because wages are very low (around 200 euros per month). Good service is about 5-10% tip.
Time difference
During our summer time it is 3 hours earlier on the Cape Verde Islands.
During our winter time it is 2 hours earlier on the Cape Verde Islands.
The Cape Verde Islands have no difference in winter time and summer time.
The local time, date and time zone for the Cape Verde Islands can be found on our time difference page.
Traffic and route
On the Cape Verde Islands you must drive on the right.
You do not need an international driver’s license to drive and/or rent a motor vehicle on the Cape Verde Islands.
With the Google route planner you can compile a route description from, to or within the Cape Verde Islands.
Electricity
The same plugs and sockets are used on the Cape Verde Islands as in the Netherlands.
More information about electricity on the Cape Verde Islands can be found on our electricity page.
Emergency services
If you need help from the police, fire brigade and/or ambulance in an emergency, you can use the emergency numbers below.
– Police: 132
– Fire: 131
– Ambulance: 130
Tap water
It is not recommended to drink water from the tap.
If you are unable to buy bottled water, use a water purifier to purify the water or boil the water for 5 minutes. After this you can safely use it as drinking water and for things like brushing teeth, cleaning lenses and washing vegetables and / or fruit. More information about drinking water and/or the purchase of water purification products can be found on our drinking water page.
News and newspapers
The latest news regarding the Cape Verde Islands can be found on Google news.
An overview of the newspapers from the Cape Verde Islands can be found on Abyznewslinks.
Internet
Websites from the Cape Verde Islands end with.cv.
Cape Verde Islands official website: governo.cv.
Telephony
The country code (international access number) to call someone on the Cape Verde Islands is 00238 or +238.
Do you want to call the Netherlands from the Cape Verde Islands? Then use the Dutch country code 031.
(If you use a country code, you must leave out the first 0 of the number to be called.)
Company details can be found in the Yellow Pages of the Cape Verde Islands.
Photos and videos
On Flickr you will find a nice collection of photos of the Cape Verde Islands.
On Youtube you will find a nice collection of videos from the Cape Verde Islands.
Holidays
An overview of all public holidays on the Cape Verde Islands can be found on Beleven.org.
Places of interest
When thinking of the Cape Verde Islands, people quickly think of sun, sea and beach. Yet there is much more to discover on the different islands. On our sights page you will find an extensive overview of the most beautiful and best-known sights of the Cape Verde Islands. Here you will find general information, photos and videos.
Reviews and travel experiences
On Zoover and TripAdvisor you will find reviews from travelers about accommodations (eg hotels and holiday homes), restaurants and destinations on the Cape Verde Islands, supplemented with photos, videos and places of interest.
Travel reports
Are you looking for a travel report about the Cape Verde Islands?
Here you will find travel reports and experiences of travelers who have previously visited the Cape Verde Islands. It is also possible to keep a free diary of your trip for family and/or friends.
Nature and world heritage
An overview of the protected nature areas (including national parks, reserves and wildlife parks) on the Cape Verde Islands can be found on Protected Planet.
An overview of the world heritage sites on the Cape Verde Islands can be found on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Customs rules
Do you want to know how much you are allowed to import and export when traveling to the Cape Verde Islands? On the IATA website you will find an overview with the maximum quantities of cigarettes, alcohol, perfume and money, among other things. If you stick to these quantities, you don’t have to declare anything to customs. You will also find the laws and regulations regarding the entry of pets on this website.
Entrepreneurship and doing business
If you intend to do business on or do business with the Cape Verde Islands, it is wise to prepare well. The Netherlands Enterprise Agency can help you with this. On PaulSourcing.com you will find a large amount of information about the Cape Verde Islands, including: opportunities, import and export regulations, trade figures, do’s and don’ts, business partners and subsidies.
Relevant legislation
Below you will find relevant legislation and regulations that you may encounter during your visit to the Cape Verde Islands.
– Alcohol: Buying and/or drinking from the age of 18.
– Alcohol and traffic: The maximum permitted alcohol content is 0.8.
– Tobacco: Buying and/or smoking from the age of 16.
– Smoking ban: No
– Homosexuality: Allowed
Did you know that…
…The Cape Verde Islands themselves like to be called Cabo Verde?
…More Cape Verdeans live outside the national borders than within the national borders?
…There are good surfing opportunities around the Cape Verde Islands?
…There are many goats living on the Cape Verde Islands?
…Charles Darwin and Christopher Columbus visited the Cape Verde Islands?
…The Cape Verde Islands are known for their good hiking opportunities?
Our verdict on the Cape Verde Islands as a travel destination
The Cape Verde Islands have long been a relatively unknown destination. However, since the ongoing unrest in well-known tourist destinations such as Egypt, Turkey and Tunisia, the Cape Verde Islands have gained ground. The flight time is ‘only’ 6 hours and you are in a completely different culture. The islands are mainly characterized by the pleasant climate and the extensive beaches with luxury hotel resorts. However, the country has so much more to offer. The interior is green and mountainous, the population is friendly and you will find the typical African atmosphere. Nice little villages with pleasant music, fruit and vegetable markets and an oasis of peace. The Cape Verde Islands have also gained a lot of fame in the Netherlands through the TV program “Helemaal heteinde!”.
