Updated July 22, 2025 – notes from the road by the VayCay Couple
Ten Atlantic islands on the western African coast, each beating its own rhythm of dunes, drums, coffee smoke and sea‑spray. In this Cape Verde travel guide, you’ll see how Cabo Verde lets you climb a volcano at dawn, snorkel with turtles by lunch, and dance to morna at dusk—no long‑haul jet lag required from Europe.
Quick jump: Boa Vista Travel Guide, Island‑Hopping Guide, EasyJet’s First Flights to Sal Take Off, Mindelo’s New Cruise Terminal Opens in March
Why visit Cape Verde?
- Year‑round sun: Temps hover 22–30 °C; winter feels like late spring.
- Island variety: From Sahara‑like dunes (Boa Vista) to fern‑draped valleys (Santo Antão).
- Music & morabeza: Warm hospitality plus live morna and funaná spill into the streets.
- Easy connections: Direct flights from UK & EU; domestic hops under an hour.
- Adventure & chill: Kitesurf, volcano trek, or just float in salt craters.
Best Time to Visit Cape Verde
| Season | Air °C | Rain | Wind | Best For |
| Nov–Jun (dry) | 22–28 | ≤5 mm | NE trade 18–25 kt | Beach, kitesurf, clear hiking views |
| Jul–Oct (humid) | 24–30 | 10–80 mm (brief) | SE 10 kt | Turtle nesting, lush valleys, warmer seas |
Humpback whales arrive Mar–May; turtle nesting peaks Jul–Sep. The VayCay Couple loves late April: shoulder‑season prices, zero rain, pleasant wind.
Cabo Verde Island Cheat‑Sheet
| Island | Vibe in One Line | Star Experiences | Stay Nights |
| Sal | Sun‑seekers & watersports | Kite Beach, Pedra de Lume salt crater | 2–3 |
| Boa Vista | Dunes & turtles | Viana Desert quad, Santa Monica beach patrol | 3–4 |
| Santiago | Culture & history | Cidade Velha UNESCO, Tarrafal beach | 2 |
| Fogo | Active volcano | Pico do Fogo sunrise trek, lava‑tube wine | 1–2 |
| Santo Antão | Epic hiking | Paul Valley terraces, Corda road drive | 2–3 |
| São Vicente | Nightlife & art | Mindelo music bars, Laginha sunset | 1–2 |
| Brava | Flower island | Fajã d’Água cove, ridge walks | 1 |
| São Nicolau | Off‑grid | Monte Gordo pine trail, Carbeirinho cliffs | 1 |
| Maio | Barefoot quiet | Endless empty beaches, turtle nests | Day‑trip |
| Santa Luzia | Uninhabited | Protected reserve, dive charters only | Live‑aboard |
Top 12 Experiences Across the Archipelago
- Summit Pico do Fogo (2 829 m) – Slide down black ash like powder snow.
- Float in Pedra de Lume Salt Crater (Sal) – 26 % salinity keeps you bobbing.
- Quad‑surf Boa Vista’s Viana Desert – Mini‑Sahara meets the sea.
- Hike Corda Road to Paul Valley (Santo Antão) – Cloud forests to banana terraces.
- Night Turtle Patrol (Boa Vista or Maio) – Red lights only; pure magic.
- Mindelo Music Crawl (São Vicente) – Live morna then Afro‑house till 4 a.m.
- Kite‑surf at Kite Beach (Sal) – Steady NE trades, shallow lagoon.
- Taste Lava Wine (Fogo) – Vines grow in ash at 1 700 m.
- Street‑food in Praia Plateau (Santiago) – Try pastel de atum and sugarcane juice.
- Whale‑watch off Boa Vista (Mar–May) – Hear humpback songs via hydrophone.
- Ribeira Grande Market (Santo Antão) – Stock up on goat cheese & coffee beans.
- Desert Stargazing (any island with low light) – Milky Way like spilled salt.
10‑Day Cape Verde Sample Itinerary
| Day | Island | Morning | Afternoon | Night |
| 1 | Sal | Land & check in Santa Maria | Float Pedra de Lume | Sunset caipirinha on pier |
| 2 | Sal | Kite lesson | Shark Bay lemon sharks wade | Live music at Ocean Café |
| 3 | Boa Vista | Flight 20 min | Quad Viana Desert | Turtle patrol Santa Monica |
| 4 | Boa Vista | Chill Praia de Chaves | Shipwreck photo run | BBQ fish kiosks Estoril |
| 5 | Santiago | Ferry/Flight | Cidade Velha tour | Batuku drumming Tarrafal |
| 6 | Fogo | Sunrise climb Pico | Lava‑wine lunch Chã | Sleep in crater guesthouse |
| 7 | São Vicente | Mindelo murals | Laginha beach | Morna at Casa da Morabeza |
| 8 | Santo Antão | Corda scenic drive | Paul Valley trek | Homestay grogue tasting |
| 9 | Santo Antão | Coastal trail Ponta do Sol | Ferry back Mindelo | Late ferry vibe |
| 10 | Sal | Beach day | Souvenir market | Depart night flight |
| Extend to 14 days by adding Brava & São Nicolau for off‑grid charm. |
You can also check our detailed 12 days island hoping itinerary.
Culture & Cuisine in Cape Verde
| Element | Quick Take | VayCay Tip |
| Music | Morna (soulful), Funaná (accordion‑driven), Coladeira (dance) | Pack light shoes—dancing happens everywhere |
| Morabeza | Creole word for warmth & welcome | Greet locals with “Bom dia” + smile |
| Cachupa | Corn‑bean stew; rica (with meat) or pobre (veggie) | Try breakfast version refogada with fried egg |
| Grogue | Sugarcane rum, often homemade | Sip neat first; then in caipirinha |
| Handicrafts | Rabil pottery, woven baskets, lava jewelry | Buy direct; supports artisans |
Getting Around Cabo Verde
| Mode | Islands | Cost | Notes |
| Domestic flights | All main islands | 60–120 € per leg | TACV & BestFly; book early |
| Ferries | Santiago ⇆ Fogo/Brava/São Vicente ⇆ Santo Antão | 10–35 € | Can cancel if swell >3 m |
| Aluguer vans | Within islands | 1–3 € | Leaves when full, social & cheap |
| Taxis | Town hops | 2–5 € | Agree fare first |
| Car hire | Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago | 55 €/day | 4×4 useful on sand & cobbles |
Budget Breakdown (Mid‑Range Per Person)
| Category | 10‑Day € | Notes |
| Accommodation | 500 | Mix guesthouses & 2 resort nights |
| Flights (4 hops) | 300 | Book 30 days out |
| Ferries | 60 | Three crossings |
| Food & drink | 250 | Street eats + 4 dinners out |
| Activities & guides | 220 | Volcano, quad, turtle, kitesurf lesson |
| Transport on islands | 70 | Aluguer + occasional taxi |
| Total | ≈ 1 400 € | ±10 % season swing |
Shoestring backpackers can halve that; luxury resort fans can triple it.
Cape Verde is more than sunny beaches, it’s morabeza in action, where strangers wave from pick‑up trucks and volcano ash crunches underfoot. Let this guide be your launch pad, then swap islands, stretch stays and write your own footnotes. If you bump into the VayCay Couple on a ferry deck sharing grogue, pull up a seat; stories travel best when shared.
Is Cape Verde safe for travellers?
Yes, low violent crime. Beware pick‑pockets in Praia Plateau at night; use licensed taxis.
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
EU / UK citizens register via EASE online (€32) 5+ days before arrival. Others check embassy.
What language do locals speak?
Portuguese official; Kriolu everyday speech. Basic English in tourism hubs.
Can I drink tap water?
Stick to bottled or filtered water; safe for teeth brushing in resorts.
Is the ocean cold around Cape Verde?
Sea stays 22–26 °C; rash‑vest enough all year.
Best island for first timers?
Sal or Boa Vista; easy flights, resort infrastructure, gentle intro.
