More information about the Cape Verde Archipelago

The Cape Verde Islands are in the Atlantic Ocean, 620km west of Mauritania on the west coast of Africa . There are 10 major islands (9 of them inhabited) and 5 islets, all of volcanic origin and grouped into the Barlavento (Windward) group (Santo Antão, São Vicente, Santa Luzia, Ilheu Branco, Ilheu Raso, São Nicolau, Sal and Boa Vista) to the north and the Sotavento (Leeward) group (Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava) to the south.

The contrast between the "flat" islands like Sal, Boavista and Maio and the "mountainous" islands like Santo Antão and Fogo is very dramatic indeed.

With vast beaches that allow for all types of water sports, impressive mountains, high quality fish, various types of delicious seafood (particularly lobster) and the melodious beauty of it’s music all point to Cape Verde as an exciting tourist destination.

There is a huge variation in the scenery and atmosphere on the different Islands. Sal, Maio and Boavista are for the most part low, sandy and parched but with fantastic white beaches, and whilst Santo Antao, São Nicolau and Fogo have dramatic mountains, the former two are partially green and fertile whilst the latter is green, or parched (according to season) and in the huge crater, barren (but it does grow wonderful grapes for it’s famous wine). Santiago is a mixture of mountains and flattish parched land.

The ambience of each Island is different and the inhabitants of every Island have no doubt that their Island is the very best place to live!

Common plants in the islands include rhododendrons, the fire tree, dragon tree, marmulano, corn plant and the Florida Beauty dracaena.

Among the islands' most colourful fauna are its’ coral and fish, especially in the waters around Sal and São Nicolau, where you'll see parrot fish, barracuda and moray eels. You might also spot blue and humpback whales, the narrow-snouted dolphin, harbour porpoise and loggerhead, green and hawksbill turtles.

Despite being near to the African continent, Cape Verde has no contagious or endemic diseases, and has good medical coverage both private and public to a greater or lesser extent on all the islands. No vaccination is required before entering the country. However all our Clients are required to seek up-to-the–minute advice from their GP. One should beware of eating uncooked food and drinking from unsealed bottles. Also avoid ice if possible

Hiking in Cape Verde is a growing and fascinating activity. There are well documented itineraries on Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Brava, Fogo, Santiago and Boavista. Details on request.

An indication of the level of difficulty between 1 and 3 is offered as a guide only. 1 = Easy path with little fitness required. 2 = Medium fitness required, with some bursts of steep ascent and/or the odd slippery stretch. 3 = prolonged steep walking and/or slippery, uncobbled paths.

General Information

• The local currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo, though Euros are widely accepted (but at a inferior rate of exchange). Credit cards are not always accepted even in Hotels and where they are accepted a substantial surcharge – up to 6% - is added. It is wise to obtain a good handful of the local currency for tipping, taxis etc. Sterling and Euros can be exchanged at local Banks.

• Electricity is 220 volts with European style 2 pin sockets.

• Banks open Monday to Friday 0800-1400hrs only.

• Religion: Christian, mainly Catholic.

• All commercial ventures are closed on Sundays and Public Holidays (9 per annum ).

• Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond date of return travel.

• A Visa is required to enter Cape Verde . This can be purchased at Airport on arrival. However we can pre-arrange for it to await your arrival at point of entry – this saves considerable time queuing! See also Visa Requirements.

• Inter-Island flight times vary between 15 and 40 minutes depending on route, usually in 48 seater twin engine turbo-prop ATR42-300 aircraft. These are gradually being changed to 72 seater ATR72’s (one has been delivered at time of writing). The TACV inter-Island fleet consists of just 4 aircraft and if one needs maintenance, schedules are severely disrupted!

• Local time is GMT-1 so 1 hour behind UK in Winter and 2 hours in summer.

• Shortage of water dictates that many hotels offer only showers rather than bathtubs.

• We have used the local star rating for accommodation, but this overstates the situation compared with European ratings by between 1 and 1.5 stars.

• Street/beach vendors, mainly from Senegal , will approach tourists but are, in comparison with other African destinations, very little trouble.

• The Language is officially Portuguese with local Creole dialects based on Portuguese. English has been taught in schools in recent years.

• Cuisine. Mainly Portuguese or local dishes based on fish or goat meat are found all over the Archipelago, though in Sal in particular there is a strong Italian influence. “Must try” dishes include Cachupa (corn, beans, manioc, potato cabbage and any meat or fish available), perceves (goose barnacles), lobster and octopus.

• Communications. Hotel telephones are universally expensive. Mobile phones work in most areas with habitation but are also expensive to use

Activities (varying from Island to Island)

• Snorkelling and Scuba diving

• Sailing, surfing and Windsurfing

• Walking and Trekking

• Cycling

• Birdwatching

• Fishing (Big Game, shore and Salt Water Fly).

Climate & Weather

The Cape Verde Islands have the coolest temperatures of any country in West Africa . The climate is tropical and dry. The average daytime temperature remains around 25°c and whilst there are highs and lows due to the influence from the Ocean, the changes do not exceed 10°c. The sea temperature is between 21°c in February and March up to 25°c in September and October. Rainfall is, unfortunately for the farmers, very rare.

The Islands can be windy, particularly the Northeasterly Trade Wind can be strong, however this keeps temperatures and humidity low and encourages some exciting water sports.

Building works

The Islands, particularly Sal but also Boavista and Santiago are the subject of a building boom, mostly of Hotels and apartments, happily low rise so far with many of the apartments being built for the British and other European holiday home markets. Thus building work is endemic and must be accepted as such. Where such works affect a particular Hotel, we will of course, advise our clients.

Politics

After a flirtation with Communism after the Portuguese left, the Islands have settled down to a slowly improving market economy working on slightly left of centre principles and has been stable for many years.