Things to Do in Cabo Verde

About Cabo Verde

Ten islands off West Africa, each one different. Cabo Verde mixes African culture with Portuguese colonial history in ways that feel lived-in, not manufactured for tourists. You'll hear morna music drifting through towns with cobblestone streets, watch fishermen fix their nets at dusk, and drink grogue with locals who speak Kriolu. The contrasts hit hard. Fogo has an active volcano with moonlike terrain. Boa Vista offers sand dunes where sea turtles nest at night. Between them, eight other islands with their own terrain and pace. Cape Verdeans call their hospitality "morabeza"—it is a real thing, not a tourism slogan. Strangers don't stay strangers long. The islands sit where Atlantic winds blow steady, which shapes everything from the music to how quickly (or slowly) daily life moves. Sunsets look different here. The air feels different. You'll notice it immediately.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Book TACV inter-island flights 2-3 weeks ahead—Sal to Santiago costs 8,000-12,000 escudos ($73-$109). Use aluguers (shared vans) on islands for 100-300 escudos ($0.91-$2.73) per ride. Rent cars for 3,500-5,000 escudos ($32-$45) daily but roads can be challenging.

Money: The Cape Verdean escudo is pegged to the euro (110:1). Exchange at Banco Comercial do Atlântico for consistent rates. ATMs work in main towns but charge 200-400 escudos ($1.82-$3.64) fees. Budget 1,500-3,000 escudos ($13.64-$27.27) daily for meals and transport.

Cultural Respect: Greet with 'bom dia' in Portuguese or 'bon dia' in Criuolo. Learn about morna music culture—it's deeply important to identity. Tip musicians at restaurants and bars where live music is common.

Food: Try cachupa (hearty stew) and grilled lobster at Sodade Restaurant where meals cost 1,200-2,500 escudos ($10.91-$22.73). Sample ponche (sugar cane rum) for 200-400 escudos ($1.82-$3.64) per shot. Fresh seafood is excellent but stick to busy restaurants with high turnover.

When to Visit

Cabo Verde enjoys year-round warmth with two distinct seasons. The dry season (November-June) offers perfect conditions with temperatures of 22-28°C, minimal rainfall (under 25mm monthly), and constant trade winds. This is peak season with accommodation prices 40-60% higher, especially December-February when European visitors escape winter. March-May provides the sweet spot of excellent weather with slightly lower prices. The wet season (July-October) brings higher humidity, temperatures of 26-30°C, and sporadic rainfall (50-200mm monthly), though showers are brief and refreshing. This period offers 30-50% savings on accommodations and fewer crowds. Hurricane season (August-October) poses minimal risk but can bring stronger winds. Key festivals include Carnival in February/March (varying by island), Baía das Gatas Music Festival in August on São Vicente, and Santa Maria Festival in September on Sal. Music lovers should visit during festival season despite higher costs. Surfers prefer November-April for consistent swells, while hikers enjoy the cooler, drier months of December-March. Turtle watching on Boa Vista peaks June-October, making wet season visits worthwhile for wildlife ensoiasts.