Things to Do in Cabo Verde in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
Low Season · Budget Friendly
December Weather in Cabo Verde
Temperature, rainfall and humidity at a glance
79°F (26°C)
High Temp
69°F (20°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
70%
Humidity
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + December trade winds punch through the humidity. Sal and Boa Vista beaches turn into Atlantic playgrounds. Windsurfers carve. Kitesurfers soar. Conditions stay perfect.
- + Boa Vista's turtle season ends now. Last hatchlings dash for the Atlantic at dawn. Watch tiny flippers churn sand. Nature's sprint begins.
- + Hotel rates fall 30-40%. Weather refuses to follow. You pay low-season prices. You get peak-season skies. Sweet spot secured.
- + Harmattan dust waits until January. December keeps crystal views. Hike high ridges. Shoot sharp photos. Visibility stays unlimited.
Considerations
- − Santo Antão nights dip to 18°C (64°F). Higher altitude, colder air. Pack the jacket. You'll thank yourself later.
- − Atlantic swells wake up. North-facing beaches turn rough. Swimming gets tricky. Check flags. Ask locals. Then dive.
- − Ferry timetables wobble. December seas growl. Island-hoppers need buffer days. Plan loose. Arrive flexible.
Year-Round Climate
How December compares to the rest of the year
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24°C | 19°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Feb | 25°C | 19°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Mar | 25°C | 19°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Apr | 25°C | 19°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| May | 26°C | 20°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jun | 27°C | 21°C | 0.0 inches (0 mm) |
| Jul | 28°C | 22°C | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Aug | 29°C | 23°C | 1.2 inches (30 mm) |
| Sep | 29°C | 24°C | 1.6 inches (41 mm) |
| Oct | 29°C | 23°C | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Nov | 28°C | 22°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Dec | 26°C | 20°C | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December in Cabo Verde means dry-season calm. Volcanic slopes drink Atlantic sun. A steady breeze tames the midday heat. Evenings carry a welcome coolness. Pack a light layer. Clear skies rule, with only a quick shower darkening Praia's plateau stones before the sun snaps back. Haze is gone. Greens look greener, ocean blues deeper. Move now, before the calendar turns. Hike parched trails. Wander plazas. Feel warm sand underfoot. The pace is slow, shaped by climate, not festivals. Wind rattles acacia leaves. Fishing boats nod in sheltered bays. Smoke drifts from beachfront grills. December offers substance, not spectacle. Temperatures sit between daytime warmth and evening breath. Historical data ranks December among the driest months, matching spring for predictability. Holiday events are scarce. Nature and history provide the show.
From Praia: Discover Santiago Island in 1 Day
otherThis full-day circuit yanks you from the capital's plateau into Santiago's rural heart. Baobabs stand guard over savannahs. Valleys smell of soil and ripening fruit. The white Ponta Preta lighthouse slashes black cliffs. Stories of colonial grit ride the mountain roads.
Experience the dramatic contrast between the capital and rural landscapes, see well-known baobabs and coastal cliffs, and hear stories of colonial history.
Insider tip: Sturdy shoes are important. Viewpoints sit beyond rocky, uneven ground.
Serra Malagueta Natural Park Hike & Relaxing Swim at Tarrafal Beach
adventureSerra Malagueta Natural Park trades heat for cool mist. Endemic plants line the trail. Long-tailed buzzards call off volcanic ridges. Descend to Tarrafal Beach. Atlantic water shocks skin after the climb.
Experience cool mountain trails with endemic flora and fauna, then contrast with a refreshing swim at Tarrafal Beach.
Insider tip: Mountain weather flips fast. Bring a windbreaker even if the coast feels warm.
Santiago Island: Best of Praia & Cidade Velha Tour, a World Heritage Site
culturalStart in Praia's Platô district, among sun-bleached colors. Move to Cidade Velha. Stand inside the stone ruins of the Royal Fort. Walk the slave-trading lane. The cobbles stay quiet. The tour links today's capital to the first European colonial settlement in the tropics.
Connect modern Praia with historic Cidade Velha, exploring colonial ruins and one of the world's oldest colonial churches.
Insider tip: In Cidade Velha, slip into Nossa Senhora do Rosário church, one of the world's oldest colonial churches, for quiet reflection away from the square.
Santiago Island Experience - Culture, Nature & Tarrafal Beach
guided_experienceBegin in Assomada market. Spice and dried-fish scents swirl. Visit a working inland farm. Finish on Tarrafal's dark sands. The trip samples daily life, not monuments.
Immerse in local daily life through market culture, farming, and beach relaxation.
Insider tip: Buy queijo de cabra, tangy goat cheese that anchors island cuisine.
Private Tour in Praia, Cape Verde
private_tourA private tour lets you set the speed. Cover Praia's neighborhoods: formal government buildings on the Platô, murals in Achada Santo António, Creole chatter drifting from doorways.
Customizable exploration of Praia's varied districts, from formal government areas to lively local neighborhoods.
Insider tip: Ask your guide to pause at Mercado de Sucupira. Watch commerce pulse. Skip the shopping.
Hiking: Monte Tchota Natural Park - Pico D'Antónia (1394m) - Longueira
adventureClimb through Monte Tchota's cloud forest. Humidity clings. Moss drapes gnarled trees. Reach Pico D'Antónia, Santiago's highest summit. Views roll over folds and valleys.
Challenge yourself with a climb to Santiago's highest peak through unique cloud forest environment with spectacular views.
Insider tip: The trail is steep and slick. Boots with strong grip are non-negotiable.
Where to Stay in Cabo Verde in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
December Events & Festivals
What's happening during your visit
Late December
Festival de Música de Baía das Gatas
Baía das Gatas black-sand party fuses kizomba, funaná and coladeira. Locals haul grogue coolers and grilled limpets. Dancing lasts until sunrise. Generators power the stacks. The DIY vibe beats any European festival.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Cabo Verde Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
December sugar cane becomes grogue. Roadside stills near Ribeira Grande pour shots that taste like grass and flame. Accept one. Decline the third.
Trade winds steady the 15-minute island hops. Ask for left-side seats Santiago to São Vicente. Santa Luzia's empty beaches glide past the window.
Mindelo fish market prices fall 30% in December. Cooler Atlantic swells boost catches. Arrive at 6am when boats unload. Fresher seafood does not exist.
Praia to Brava ferry sails only when seas allow. Locals nickname it the 'vomit comet'. Seasick prone? Fly São Filipe to Brava instead.
Avoid These Mistakes
Never assume uniform weather. Fogo can run 10°C (18°F) cooler than Sal the same day. Layers solve everything.
Avoid tight inter-island connections. December swells delay ferries. Cancellations jump. Loose schedules survive.
Forget Caribbean clichés. Most beaches are black lava or rocky coves. Bring water shoes. Skip the flip-flops.
Never snub grogue. Refusing feels like rejecting a handshake. Learn to sip. Do not shoot.
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