Cape Verde Travel Guide: Islands, Beaches and Seasons

Cabo Verde is an island country in the Atlantic Ocean, 455 km off the coast of West Africa. It has 10 islands, 9 of which are inhabited. The capital, Praia, is on the island of Santiago.

The islands fall into two groups, Barlavento in the north and Sotavento in the south. Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago and São Vicente each have an international airport, so they are the usual starting points.

Places to visit in Cape Verde

Sal

Sal covers 215 square kilometres, and its terrain is mostly flat. The capital, Espargos, is close to Amílcar Cabral Airport, and the town of Santa Maria has an 8 km stretch of white sandy beach. The salt pans at Pedra de Lume have been worked since 1804. The tourism site lists turtle watching at Serra Negra, Ponta Preta and Murdeira.

Boa Vista

Boa Vista has 55 kilometres of bright sand beaches, and its capital, Sal Rei, keeps colonial architecture. The Deserto de Viana is described as the largest desert of the archipelago. The Turtle Natural Reserve at João Barrosa beach is a research site that marks nesting females and protects nests.

Santiago and Praia

Santiago is the largest island in the archipelago, and Praia, the national capital, is on it. The island also has Assomada, described as the country's granary, and Tarrafal, where a former prison and the Resistance Museum tell the colonial and independence story.

Cidade Velha

UNESCO lists Cidade Velha, the historic centre of Ribeira Grande, on the south of Santiago. It was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics. The town keeps two churches, a royal fortress and Pillory Square with its 16th-century marble pillar.

São Vicente and Mindelo

Mindelo is the capital and main city of São Vicente, known for its music scene and colonial architecture, and the island is described as the music capital of Cabo Verde. The Municipal Market has over a century of history.

Getting to Cape Verde

The archipelago has four international airports: Nélson Mandela International in Praia, Amílcar Cabral International on Sal, Aristides Pereira International on Boa Vista and Cesária Évora International on São Vicente.

The tourism site lists direct flights from several European countries and from Dakar in Senegal. Check which airport your airline uses before you book, because the islands are not close together.

Getting around

The islands are connected by inter-island flights and ferry services. The islands of São Nicolau, Maio and Fogo have airfields, and the tourism site says some ferry routes have several departures and arrivals per week.

Brava and Santo Antão are reached only by sea.

When to go to Cape Verde

Dry season (November to July)

The tourism site describes the climate as hot and dry, with little rain, and suited to sun and beach holidays.

Rainy season (August to October)

The climate is hotter and more humid, with occasional rain, and the vegetation is greener.

Turtle nesting (May to October)

On Sal, the Murdeira Bay area is a habitat where turtles feed and nest from May to October.

What to book ahead

• Inter-island flights and ferries: confirm schedules early, because some routes run only a few times per week.
• Brava and Santo Antão: these are reached only by sea, so check the ferry timetable before you fix dates.
• Turtle watching: nesting on Sal is seasonal, so match your dates to May to October if it matters to you.
• Guided island tours run on fixed days; check dates before fixing your route.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements depend on your nationality and change over time. Check the current rules on the EASE entry platform, run by the Cabo Verde government, before you book, and confirm again shortly before you travel.

Official source: EASE, Cabo Verde government entry platform.

Frequently asked questions

How many islands does Cape Verde have?

Cabo Verde has 10 islands, 9 of which are inhabited. They are split into the Barlavento group in the north and the Sotavento group in the south.

Which islands have international airports?

Four islands have them: Santiago (Praia), Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente. The islands of São Nicolau, Maio and Fogo have airfields.

When is the dry season?

The national tourism site gives November to July as the dry season and August to October as the rainy season.

Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?

It depends on your nationality, and the rules change. Check the EASE platform, the Cabo Verde government site, before you book.

Can I see turtles in Cape Verde?

The tourism site lists turtle watching on Sal at Serra Negra, Ponta Preta and Murdeira. It says turtles feed and nest in Murdeira Bay from May to October.