Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Cape Verde depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for Cape VerdeEmergency Numbers
- Police
- 132
- Ambulance
- 130
- Fire
- 131
Currency
- Name
- Cape Verdean Escudo
- Code
- CVE
- Symbol
- Esc
Pegged to the Euro. ATMs on main islands (Santiago, São Vicente, Sal, Boa Vista). Cards accepted at tourist hotels and restaurants. Cash preferred on smaller islands.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type F
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
CVT (UTC−1) — no daylight saving
Best Time to Visit
November–May is the dry, cooler season — best for Sal and Boa Vista (beach, kite-surfing), Santo Antão (dramatic hiking through ribeiras), and São Vicente's vibrant Mindelo (the cultural capital). June–October is hot and humid with occasional Saharan dust.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | — |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
| Tour guides | $5–10 USD per tour | — |
Dress Code
- Casual and beach wear in tourist resort islands (Sal, Boa Vista)
- Modest dress on Santiago and in towns
- Practical hiking gear for Santo Antão and Fogo
Social Etiquette
- Cape Verdeans are warm and quietly proud of their unique creole culture — a blend of Portuguese colonial heritage and West African roots
- Morna music (made world-famous by Cesária Évora) is the soulful national music — hear it live in Mindelo
- Cape Verde has a different character on each island — Sal and Boa Vista are resort islands; São Vicente is cultural; Santo Antão is for hikers; Fogo has an active volcano
- The kriolu (Cape Verdean Creole) language is the true mother tongue — Portuguese is official
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ activity is not criminalised; same-sex marriage is not recognised; social attitudes vary
- Drug trafficking carries severe penalties
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Kriolu) | Oi / Bon dia | OY / bon JEE-ah |
| Thank you (Kriolu) | Obrigadu (m) / Obrigada (f) | oh-bree-GAH-doo |
| How are you? (Kriolu) | Modi ki bu sta? | MOH-dee kee boo STAH |
| No problem (Kriolu) | Nha maninha / Ka ten nada | kah ten NAH-dah |
| Beautiful (Kriolu) | Bunitu | boo-NEE-too |
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