Technically an African state, Cape Verde lies 620 kilometres off the coast of Senegal. Because of this disconnect between the scenic region and the rest of Africa, there’s far more of a tropical feel to the country. Sandy beaches are the norm, with lush areas of greenery dotted throughout.
Owing to its former colonial roots, there is a strong Portuguese flare present throughout the region, with the food, music and traditions reflecting that perfectly. This gives a feel of the Mediterranean despite being part of Africa.
Far from just one mass of land, the archipelago
actually consists of 12 islands,
nine of which are inhabited. The largest of these, Santiago, is teeming with
history, having at one point been a large trading port. It, much like its 11
counterparts, offers the perfect climate for those looking to relax in the sun,
while also absorbing local customs and traditions.
What to do in Cape
Verde
Unsurprisingly for such an exotic location, there’s a myriad of activities for any traveller to get involved with. Here are just a handful of fantastic options to choose from:
Snorkelling. Most of Cape
Verde’s islands are perfect for snorkelling, but it’s arguably Sal which
provides an unforgettable experience. Described as somewhat of a lover’s
paradise, this spot is fantastic for those looking to experience a unique
adventure with their partner.
The best spot comes about 50m off the coast of the
town of Papaia. Here you’ll find an underwater statue, which has been taken
over by local sea life. Bright aquatic flowers of orange, red and yellow are
the perfect contrast to brilliant diamond blue of the ocean.
Kitesurfing. One
for adrenaline junkies, this extreme sport is available to try on pretty much
any island within the area. The best variety for all skill levels can be found
on Boa Vista. The winds here are mild enough for beginners to cut their teeth,
while further out from the shore wind speed picks up enough to make it a
challenge for more experienced heads.
Once you’ve had enough of kitesurfing, you can relax on the beach with a mojito, while tucking into a traditional Portuguese BBQ. Don’t worry if you’re not a natural, to begin with. Kitesurfing is a tricky discipline, which can sometimes take years to master.
Hike up a volcano. Tackling
the challenges of a volcano might sound like something from Greek mythology,
but it can be a reality if you’re off on a trip to Cape Verde. Head to Folgo
Island where you’ll find the imposing figure of Pico do Folgo.
With a peak of 2,829 metres, this behemoth
dominates the entire island. The houses and local communities you’ll find here
are something completely different than your used to back home. After a
volcanic eruption which occurred back in 2014, the Cha people evacuated the
area, only to move back once the chaos had settled.
Their profound connection with their ancestral home
has seen them rebuild on top of the wreckage. The result? A 700-strong community living in
blackened huts, in the middle of a crater wrought
by the volcano. Truly unique.
Quad biking. A
little more down-to-earth, yet no less exciting, quad biking is another
adventure sport which simply cannot be overlooked. You can choose to dual-bike
it with an experienced driver, or take the quads out on your own (with a guide
also coming along on the journey with you).
Naturally, with such a high octane sport, it’s
advised that you take out the right kind of travel insurance.
While spills are unlikely, there’s always the chance you could take a tumble
while driving one of these powerful machines.
Bathe in the salt sea.
For those looking to leave the excitement of quad biking and kitesurfing
behind, a dip in Pedra Lume’s salt sea is well worth a try. What was once a
giant crater has become a basin for a vast expanse of salt-heavy water, ideal
for relaxing in.
There’s actually a higher consistency of salt here
than can be found in the famed Dead Sea, so even those with absolutely no
confidence with swimming can get involved. The presence of this naturally-occurring
substance means it’s practically impossible to sink.
How safe is Cape Verde?
It would be wrong to suggest Cape Verde is without
danger, but things are definitely moving in the right direction. Crime is
usually an internal affair, with the Government reporting very few incidences involving
British tourists.
Robbery and muggings are the most common crimes to
take place on the islands, so be sure to keep your possessions close at all
times and only take out the necessities.
When it comes to natural elements, the
aforementioned volcano on Folgo Island is technically still dormant. With the
last eruption happening as recently as 2014, it should be a long time before
the next one.
Important numbers to remember when you’re in Cape
Verde are:
130 – For all medical emergencies
131 – In case of a fire
132 – To report a crime to the police
If you’re a British tourist looking to get in
contact with the embassy, you can contact them using these details:
It’s also worth noting the government in Cape Verde
is currently stable. There have been no terrorist attacks in recent years and
the likelihood of one happening is relatively small.
What else do I need to know about travelling to Cape Verde?
Let’s explore some of the other important
need-to-knows ahead of a holiday to this African archipelago.
Flight time: Flight
times to Cape Verde are what you’d expect, given the relatively remote nature
of the islands. Average times are around six to six-and-a-half hours when
flying out of London Gatwick. Flights from other UK airports are
available.
Capital city: Praia.
Found on Santiago Island, this city has been the capital of the region since as
far back as 1770. To this day, it remains the cultural, political and
economical hub of the country, housing roughly 30% of the total inhabitants of
Cape Verde.
Language: People in the
region speak Portuguese and Creole (a language most commonly spoken in
Caribbean regions).
Timezone: -1 GMT, meaning the
region is two hours behind the UK.
Currency: CVE –
Cape Verde Escudo. At the time of writing, £1 is the equivalent to 123.28 CVE.
Population: The country has a
population of 516,733 as of the last census check.
Weather: The average
temperature in Cape Verde barely changes across the year. January is usually
the coldest month, with an average conditions remaining around 24 degrees.
September, the hottest month, sits at around 29 degrees.
Best time to visit: With
rainfall rare, and a breeze from the Sahara keeping climates moderate, the best
time to visit really depends on your own schedule.
Passport and visas:
If you have a British passport, you’ll be able to stay for up to 30 days in
Cape Verde without the need for a visa. If you’re intending to stay for longer,
apply for a visa with the Honorary Consul in London.
Excited about a trip to Cape Verde? Be sure to
brush up and learn as much as you can about the country before you head
there.
Please note, Holidaysafe's online prices automatically include a 15% discount against our Customer Service Centre prices.
Holidaysafe is a trading name of Travel Insurance Facilities Plc, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority FRN306537. tifgroup is trading name of Travel Insurance Facilities Plc registered in England No. 3220410. tifgroup; all rights reserved. Registered Office: 1 Tower View, Kings Hill, West Malling, ME19 4UY. All policies offered are on a non-advised basis
To get a quote please choose one of the following policy types;
If you only take one or two trips a year then this is the most cost effective way to get covered. Choose from a selection of cover options to suit you. (Add cover for Cruising on the Options page.)
If you take more than two trips per year then this may be the cheapest way to get insured. The policy covers all trips made in a 12 month period. (Add cover for Cruising on the Options page.)
If you are the intrepid and adventurous type looking to see the world, our Backpacker & Longstay range of policy are ideal for students on a gap year, backpackers and adventure seekers.
If your idea of the perfect holiday is snow-capped mountains and winter sports, we have a specially designed range of policies to protect you, your trip and your equipment.
If you are the intrepid and adventurous type looking to see the world, our Backpacker & Longstay range of policy are ideal for students on a gap year, backpackers and adventure seekers.
If you're looking for cover specifically tailored to your trip, e.g. specialist Family cover, motorcycle track events, scuba diving or cycle touring, we have a range of policies to suit your budget and trip.