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CAPE VERDE TRAVEL GUIDE
Hailed as the ‘new Caribbean’, Cape Verde off the western coast of Africa is slowly making a name for itself as a tourist destination, promoting itself based on the beauty of its beaches, its colonial Portuguese history and its rich local culture. The larger and most inhabited islands in the archipelago have yet to be spoilt by major commercial development so peace, tranquillity and the sense of being in a genuinely unspoiled paradise are also among its biggest draws.
Santiago, the largest island, offers enough to keep visitors occupied for the duration of a holiday; however, island-hopping around the archipelago is so easy that you’d be foolish to miss out on the opportunity to see the sights of the main islands São Vicente, Sal, Santo Antão and Maio (there are 10 islands in total). All of the islands have their own gorgeous beaches so when you’re done viewing the interesting colonial architecture, there’s plenty of opportunity for relaxing on the golden sands and enjoying the awesome views across the archipelago.
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CAPE VERDE WEATHER - When To Go
Cape Verde’s climate is tropical in nature and temperatures are relatively constant for most of the year. The best time to visit is between April and July when the threat of rain is low (almost non-existent) and temperatures are hot but not blisteringly so. During this period you can expect the mercury to rise to the mid-20s (°C) at the hottest part of the day.
The country is dry for the best part of the year but experiences a rainy season between August and October. September is the wettest of these months and can see over 100mm of rain. The wet season is also the hottest period of the year with highs reaching in the upper 20s (°C).
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CAPE VERDE HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
Santiago: is Cape Verde’s largest and most populous island, part of the southern island group and characterised by mountainous landscapes carpeted with lush green trees and plant life. For sightseeing, skip the capital Praia and head to the World Heritage town of Cidade Velha, the island’s first Portuguese settlement, where you can witness the Fort Real de San Felipe plus various old buildings and ruins. The island’s beaches are lovely and one of the best can be found at the fishing village of Tarrafal, the same destination at which the old colonial prison of Salazar the Portuguese dictator can be found.
São Vicente: is considered the most cosmopolitan and culturally-rich island in the archipelago. It is best known for Mindelo, a port town with plenty of aesthetically pleasing colonial architecture as well as a lively ambience bolstered by the annual International Jazz and Capoeira festivals. The live music scene on the island is vibrant and famous for having produced the internationally acclaimed singer Cesaria Evora. Visitors can easily spend three days enjoying the island’s cultural attractions.
Sal: give yourself two to three days on Sal, the island named after the salt pits that were dug to serve the needs of the Portuguese empire. Sal is the archipelago’s most developed island and among its most populous. Espargos is the island’s main town and where most of the local action can be found, as well as the bulk of its colonial architecture. If somewhere a little quieter is desired, head for the village of Santa Maria with its tranquil and paradise-like beach, where activities such as diving and windsurfing can be pursued.
Santo Antão: is worth a day or two of your time; long enough to enjoy Ribeira Grande, its capital, and appreciate its garishly coloured but nonetheless visually interesting architecture. Stay a day longer if you want to take advantage of some of the island’s hiking possibilities, which include routes such as Corda to Ribeira Grande and Ponta do Sol to the mountain village of Fontainhas.
Maio: sits some 15 miles (25kms) east of Santiago and belongs to the Leeward group of islands. Maio is the place to head to find sheer peace and tranquillity and an absence of tourist development. Top sights include an 18th century fortress, a splendid old church and the old disused salt pits. Its deserted beaches, with their abundance of sea birds, are the biggest draw for many visitors.
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CAPE VERDE HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
Food and eating out: Santiago and Sal offer the best selection of restaurants of all the islands in the archipelago, and visitors will find eateries offering both local and European cuisines. Popular local dishes to look out for include the lobster dish known as lagostada, the bean-based dish known as chachupa and the toasted ham and cheese sandwich known as tosta mista. Also worth a sample is the delicious shellfish soup known as caldo de camarão à moda da mãe bibi (a mouthful indeed!) and the shrimps in wine dish known as camarão em vinha de alhos.
Entertainment and nightlife: nightlife options are somewhat limited and tend to be restricted to the offerings of larger hotels, at which shows and live music are common. Many hotels also have their own discotheques where the musical playlists may not be the height of ‘cool’ but the atmospheres are lively. The alternative is to find one of the small beach bars where you can enjoy a more authentic local vibe.
Accommodation: Santiago and Sal offer the best selections of hotels. As Cape Verde is doing its best to establish itself as an attractive holiday destination, visitors will find hotel staff and proprietors are keen to please and hence the standard of service is high.
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CAPE VERDE FLIGHTS - GETTING THERE FROM THE UK
Flights to Cape Verde: Most holidaymakers arrive via charter flights to Sal via companies such as Thomson Holidays or Thomas Cook. Due to the strong Portuguese connections, it should come as no surprise that is is also possible to fly to Cape Verde via Lisbon. Try Expedia.co.uk or Netflights for such flights.
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