Africa
Cape Verde
Atlantic islands of music, beaches, and Creole soul
Capital
Praia
Language
Portuguese, Cape Verdean Creole
Currency
Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
Best Time
Cape Verde's tropical dry climate makes it a year-round destination, but timing your visit can significantly enhance your experience. The prime season runs from November through June, coinciding with the dry season when rainfall is minimal and trade winds provide pleasant cooling. During this period, temperatures hover comfortably between 24-29°C (75-84°F), making it ideal
Safety
Increased caution
per live govt advisories
Photo by Datingscout on Unsplash
What 3 governments say
- United States
- Level 1 of 4
- United Kingdom
- No advisory against travel
- Canada
- Level 2 of 4
- Australia
- No data
Moderate divergence — the 3 government sources covering this destination differ by one level.
Sources retrieved September 18, 2026
Compare advisories for all countries
United Kingdom: Contains public sector information from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (gov.uk) licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
Canada: Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada, published by Global Affairs Canada.
Australia: Contains material from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Smartraveller website – www.smartraveller.gov.au, provided under the Creative Commons Attribution licence.
Reviewed by Moise Ouoba, Founder
Last reviewed: August 25, 2026
Sources: government travel advisories and health authorities · How we verify
Quick answers about Cape Verde
Direct answers to what travelers actually ask, reviewed before publication.
✦ opens the travel assistant, where you can ask a follow-up.
Entry and visas
Your passport
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
Likely visa-free on a US passport — confirm before you book
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
Likely visa-free on a US passport — confirm before you book
US passport holders are generally exempt from a visa for Cape Verde, but the regime can change. Check the official portal (ease.gov.cv) before booking anything non-refundable. Everyone pays the Airport Security Tax on arrival — budget for it.
- Pre-register online at ease.gov.cv
- Airport Security Tax due on arrival
- Confirm current rules on official portal
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
Likely visa-free on a French passport — confirm before you book
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
Likely visa-free on a French passport — confirm before you book
French passport holders are generally exempt from a visa for Cape Verde. Verify on the official portal (ease.gov.cv) before locking in flights. The Airport Security Tax applies to everyone — it is not a visa fee.
- Pre-register online at ease.gov.cv
- Airport Security Tax due on arrival
- Confirm current rules on official portal
Visa facts reviewed August 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
No visa needed on a Nigerian passport — ECOWAS free movement
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
No visa needed on a Nigerian passport — ECOWAS free movement
Cape Verde is an ECOWAS member, so Nigerian passport holders enter visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Still complete the pre-arrival registration on the official portal (ease.gov.cv) before flying, and budget for the airport security tax if it applies to your ticket.
- ECOWAS visa-free entry, up to 90 days
- Pre-register on ease.gov.cv before flying
- Airport Security Tax may apply on top
Visa facts reviewed September 2026 · official sources · reconfirm before booking
How do I apply?
Online pre-registration at ease.gov.cv
How do I apply?
Online pre-registration at ease.gov.cv
The official portal is the only place to pre-register or apply for a Cape Verde e-Visa. Do it before you fly — it speeds up arrival and is the only channel you should trust.
- Go to ease.gov.cv — official portal only
- Passport scan and photo required
- Confirm your requirement first, then apply
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
How long does it take?
E-registration is instant; embassy visa takes about 5 days
How long does it take?
E-registration is instant; embassy visa takes about 5 days
Pre-registration online clears immediately — do it the day your dates are confirmed. If an embassy visa is required for your passport, allow at least five business days and apply earlier to be safe.
- E-registration: instant confirmation
- Embassy visa: ~5 business days
- Apply earlier during peak season
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
How much does it cost?
€30 Airport Security Tax for everyone; visa ~€25–35 if required
How much does it cost?
€30 Airport Security Tax for everyone; visa ~€25–35 if required
Every traveler pays the Airport Security Tax regardless of nationality — it is not a scam. If your passport requires a visa on top, expect roughly €25–35. Pay through official channels only.
- Airport Security Tax: €30 (all passengers)
- Visa fee if required: ~€25–35
- Pay on official portal — not third parties
Reviewed August 2026 · official sources
Safety
Is Cape Verde safe right now?
Very safe — one of the safest destinations in Africa
Is Cape Verde safe right now?
Very safe — one of the safest destinations in Africa
Cape Verde is genuinely low-risk. Petty crime is rare across most islands; Praia is the one spot where you keep a closer eye on your belongings. The resort islands of Sal and Boa Vista are particularly relaxed. The real hazard here is the ocean, not crime.
- Normal precautions in Praia
- Resort islands (Sal, Boa Vista) very safe
- Strong ocean currents — swim at designated beaches only
Safety overview reviewed August 2026 · curated intel
What scams should I watch for?
2 things that will actually find you
What scams should I watch for?
2 things that will actually find you
The list is short, which is good news. Beach theft on Sal is occasional but real — don't leave valuables unattended on the sand. Taxis can overcharge tourists; agree the fare before you get in, every time.
- Beach theft on Sal — don't leave bags unattended
- Taxi overcharging — fix the price before boarding
- Ocean currents are a genuine hazard — not a scam but worth naming
Traveler reports + curated intel · reviewed August 2026
Are there any active travel warnings?
No national alert — 1 standing nature warning
Are there any active travel warnings?
No national alert — 1 standing nature warning
No government travel warnings active for Cape Verde. The one consistent caution from every source: ocean currents are dangerously strong year-round. Swim only at beaches with lifeguards or clear safe-swim markers.
- No countrywide travel warnings active
- Strong ocean currents — designated beaches only
- High winds year-round, especially Sal and Boa Vista
Advisory sources reviewed August 2026 · reconfirm before travel
Health
What vaccinations do I need?
Routine vaccines plus Hepatitis A
What vaccinations do I need?
Routine vaccines plus Hepatitis A
No vaccinations are required to enter Cape Verde. Hepatitis A is the one addition worth getting — food-and-water illness is the most common traveler complaint. No malaria risk, but dengue does occur occasionally; use repellent.
- Hepatitis A recommended
- Routine vaccines up to date
- Dengue present — use insect repellent
Health guidance reviewed August 2026 · official health sources · not medical advice — confirm with a travel clinic
Can I drink the water?
Bottled water — tap is desalinated and tastes poor
Can I drink the water?
Bottled water — tap is desalinated and tastes poor
Tap water in Cape Verde is desalinated and technically safe, but it tastes bad enough that visitors consistently switch to bottled. Save yourself the first-day surprise and start with sealed bottles from the moment you land.
- Sealed bottled water widely available
- Tap is safe but unpleasant — most visitors avoid it
- Stay hydrated — heat and wind dehydrate faster than you expect
Reviewed August 2026
Culture and etiquette
What should I know before I go?
Creole island culture — relaxed but distinct
What should I know before I go?
Creole island culture — relaxed but distinct
Cape Verde is not mainland Africa — it is its own Creole world shaped by Portugal and West Africa. Slow down, listen to morna music wherever you find it, and eat cachupa at least once. Island time is real: don't fight it.
- Ask permission before photographing people
- Casual dress fine — modest in towns
- Each island is different — don't treat them as one
Curated cultural intel · reviewed August 2026
How does tipping work?
10% at restaurants; small tips appreciated elsewhere
How does tipping work?
10% at restaurants; small tips appreciated elsewhere
Tipping is appreciated and matters to local incomes. Restaurants expect around 10%; for taxis and hotel staff, a small tip goes a long way. Keep small change accessible throughout the day.
- Restaurants: ~10%
- Taxis + hotel staff: small tip appreciated
- Keep small coins and notes handy
Reviewed August 2026
Planning your trip
When is the best time to visit?
November–June is the sweet spot
When is the best time to visit?
November–June is the sweet spot
The dry season runs November to June — cooler, clearer, and the best conditions for beaches and hiking. August to October is the warmest stretch but also the windiest and most humid. For hiking on Santo Antão, January to March is ideal.
- Best overall: November–June
- Warmest but windiest: August–October
- Hiking season: January–March
Reviewed August 2026
What should I see in a week?
Sal → Santiago → Santo Antão
What should I see in a week?
Sal → Santiago → Santo Antão
For a first trip: land on Sal for beaches and orientation (2 nights), fly to Santiago for Praia's culture and cachupa (2 nights), then ferry to Santo Antão for the most dramatic hiking in the archipelago (2 nights). Each island genuinely earns its own stop.
- Sal: beaches + easy arrival
- Santiago: culture, food, capital energy
- Santo Antão: hiking and scenery
Reviewed August 2026
What will Cape Verde cost per day?
Mid-range: roughly $60–90 per day
What will Cape Verde cost per day?
Mid-range: roughly $60–90 per day
Cape Verde sits in the affordable-to-mid range. Resort islands (Sal, Boa Vista) push costs up slightly; Santiago and Santo Antão are cheaper. Budget travelers can get by on less; the inter-island flights are the one cost that adds up fast — plan island-hopping carefully.
- Accommodation: wide range, resort islands pricier
- Local meals cheap; resort restaurants cost more
- Inter-island flights: plan and book early
Reviewed August 2026
Money
Ask AI about money in Cape Verde
UK FCDO — Cape Verde travel adviceGovernment of Canada — Cape Verde: Travel advice and advisoriesSection last verified 2026-08-28
How people pay here
Cards
Widely accepted
Currency basics
- The local currency is the Cabo Verde escudo.
- Some hotels and restaurants in Praia convert US dollars and euros into local currency.
- Some hotels and restaurants accept major credit cards.
Scams and safety
Ask AI about scams in Cape Verde
UK FCDO — Cape Verde travel adviceUS Department of State — Cape Verde: Travel AdvisorySection last verified 2026-08-28
Common patterns on the ground
- Pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglary and muggings occur, particularly in the capital and on certain islands.
- Sexual assaults are rare but have been reported.
- Some travelers report problems when buying property on the islands; independent legal advice is recommended.
Area awareness
- Crime risk is higher in the capital city and on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista.
- Unlit and isolated areas after dark carry higher risk.
- Beaches with limited or restricted visibility carry higher risk.
Culture and etiquette
Ask AI about culture in Cape Verde
Government of Canada — Cape Verde: Travel advice and advisoriesUK FCDO — Cape Verde travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-28
Daily conduct
- Severe penalties apply for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs, including long jail sentences and heavy fines.
- Driving without a licence is against the law and leads to arrest.
- Wearing a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike is a legal requirement.
Rules and border
Ask AI about local laws in Cape Verde
Government of Canada — Cape Verde: Travel advice and advisoriesUK FCDO — Cape Verde travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-28
In-country law
- There are strict rules about goods taken into or out of Cape Verde; anything prohibited or subject to tax or duty must be declared.
- Severe penalties apply for drug possession, use or trafficking, including fines and long prison sentences.
- Driving without a licence is against the law.
- An International Driving Permit is recommended when driving in Cabo Verde.
- Transporting other people's packages, bags or suitcases carries serious legal risk.
Emergency contacts
Ask AI about emergencies in Cape Verde
UK FCDO — Cape Verde travel adviceSection last verified 2026-08-28
Dial from any phone
Ambulance
130
Fire
131
Police
132
Keep your own government's consular number saved separately; it is listed on their travel page for this country.
Do I Need a Visa?
Ask AI about visas for Cape VerdeVisa requirements vary by nationality and change frequently. Verify with your country's embassy or the destination's official immigration authority before traveling.
Content on Ouoba is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, visa, insurance, tax, medical, financial, safety, or other professional advice. Users should consult official authorities, qualified professionals, or service providers before making important travel, financial, legal, or health-related decisions.