Volcanic islands, windswept beaches and a soundtrack of morna.
Cabo Verde is an Atlantic archipelago off West Africa, each island with its own character. Sal and Boa Vista are known for long white-sand beaches and kitesurfing, Santo Antão for dramatic green valleys and hiking trails, and Fogo for its volcano, Pico do Fogo, with wine grown in the crater. Cidade Velha on Santiago was an early colonial settlement and is a UNESCO site.
Life moves at an easy pace, with fresh fish, cachupa (a slow-cooked corn and bean stew) and live music in Mindelo on São Vicente. Hopping between islands takes planning as ferries and flights are limited. The climate is warm and dry most of the year; the short rainy season runs from about August to October, while winter brings steady wind for kitesurfers.
Best time to visit Cabo Verde
March, April, May, June, November.
Places to visit in Cabo Verde
Sal: Cabo Verde's main beach island, with the long sands of Santa Maria, kitesurfing and floating in a salt crater.
Santo Antão: Cabo Verde's hiking island, a mountainous place of terraced valleys, cobbled paths and villages perched above the sea.
Mindelo: Cabo Verde's cultural capital, a harbour town of pastel colonial buildings, live music and a famous carnival.
Praia: Cabo Verde's capital on Santiago, with the Plateau old town, markets and the UNESCO site of Cidade Velha.
Essentials
Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
Language: Portuguese; Cape Verdean Creole is the everyday language
Plugs: Type C / F, 220 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC−1
Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants is appreciated
Getting around: Inter-island flights and ferries; aluguers (shared minibuses) on each island
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking