Cape Verde

Cape Verde scatters ten volcanic islands across the Atlantic, each with its own distinct character despite the small total size. Sal and Boa Vista draw beach and windsurfing travelers to endless dunes and turquoise water, while mountainous Santo Antão offers dramatic hiking through terraced valleys and cloud forest. The music here, especially the melancholic morna popularized by Cesária Évora, carries the islands' Portuguese-African Creole culture and its recurring theme of saudade, a longing tied to island life.

Why go thereBeaches Islands Nightlife & music Surf Volcanoes Nature & landscapes Mountain hiking Diving & snorkelling Adventure sports Culture & heritage Food Rural traditions

Main destinations

Food & drink to try

Cachupa

Hominy and beans slow-cooked with fish or pork, refried next morning as cachupa guisada.

Pastel com diabo dentro

Maize and sweet potato dough around spiced tuna, fried, the devil being the chilli.

Caldo de peixe

Fish broth with cassava, banana and sweet potato, eaten at midday.

Main destinations

Other destinations

Comfort in January · by notability

Food & drink to try

Cachupa

Hominy and beans slow-cooked with fish or pork, refried next morning as cachupa guisada.

Pastel com diabo dentro

Maize and sweet potato dough around spiced tuna, fried, the devil being the chilli.

Caldo de peixe

Fish broth with cassava, banana and sweet potato, eaten at midday.

Buzio

Sea snails stewed with garlic and tomato, sold in cups on the seafront.

Djagacida

Rice cooked with chicken and vegetables in one pot, for family lunches.

Xerém

Coarse ground maize cooked into a porridge with meat or fish.

Linguiça

Garlic and paprika pork sausage, smoked and sliced into cachupa.

Queijo de cabra

Fresh goat cheese from the volcanic islands, eaten with papaya jam.

Doce de coco

Coconut cooked with sugar until it sets, cut into squares.

Grogue

Cane spirit distilled in Santo Antão from fresh juice, drunk neat.

Ponche

Grogue mixed with honey and lime into a sweet island punch.

Café do Fogo

Arabica grown in the volcanic crater of Fogo in very small quantity.

Entry & health

Set your passport

worldstandards.eu wise.com feelcaboverde.com

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Tipping & local customs

Tipping is not obligatory anywhere in Cape Verde, but it's appreciated for good service — restaurant service is usually not included, so leave a small extra amount if satisfied. A general guideline is to tip between 5-10% of your total bill, with rounding up being the norm at cafés and with taxi drivers rather than a fixed percentage.

Dress modestly away from the beach: beachwear is fine on the sand and at pools, but in towns and villages, opt for shorts, T-shirts, light trousers, or dresses, and cover shoulders when visiting churches or official buildings.
Respect the mix of Catholic and African traditions — major holidays like Christmas, Easter, and All Saints' Day see many businesses close or reduce hours, especially in smaller towns.
Plan around festivals and religious holidays as they can affect ferries, hotel availability, and opening hours, so book ahead if traveling during these periods.
A few Portuguese (or Cape Verdean Creole) greetings are appreciated, though staff in resorts and tourist hubs often speak English.
Ask permission before photographing locals, especially in villages, as a matter of courtesy and respect for privacy.
Island life moves at a relaxed pace — patience with slower service or scheduling ('Cape Verde time') is expected and appreciated rather than frustration.

Advisory only — AI + web search, may be out of date. Confirm official sources before you travel.

Before you go

Stay connected

Get an eSIM for Cape Verde — mobile data the moment you land.

via Airalo

Travel insurance

Cover trip cancellation, medical care and delays.

via EKTA