Getting Around Cabo Verde
Transportation Strategy
Urban Areas: Use aluguer minibuses for islands like Santiago. Inter-Island: Rent a car on Sal or Boa Vista for exploration. Beaches: Taxis and ferries. For convenience, book airport transfers from Sal to your destination.
Inter-Island Flights
Cabo Verde Airlines
Efficient domestic network connecting all 9 inhabited islands with frequent short flights.
Cost: Sal to Santiago €40-80, journeys 30-60 minutes between most islands.
Tickets: Buy via airline app, website, or airport counters. Online check-in recommended.
Peak Times: Avoid December-April high season for better prices and availability.
Multi-Island Passes
Island Hopper pass offers 5 flights for €150-200, covering major routes like Sal-Santo Antão.
Best For: Multiple island visits over a week, significant savings for 4+ hops.Where to Buy: Cabo Verde Airlines website or airport offices with flexible dates.
Charter Options
Best Fly and other charters connect remote islands like Fogo and Brava with scenic flights.
Booking: Reserve 1-2 weeks ahead for high season, discounts up to 30% off-peak.
Main Hubs: Sal (SID) and Santiago (RAI) for connections to smaller islands.
Car Rental & Driving
Renting a Car
Essential for exploring Sal dunes and Boa Vista beaches. Compare rental prices from €25-45/day at Sal Airport and island capitals.
Requirements: Valid license (International recommended), credit card, minimum age 21-25.
Insurance: Full coverage advised due to rough roads, verify off-road inclusions.
Driving Rules
Drive on the right, speed limits: 50 km/h urban, 80 km/h rural, no highways on most islands.
Tolls: None, but some bridges may have small fees (€1-2).
Priority: Yield to pedestrians and animals, roundabouts common in cities.
Parking: Free in most areas, paid lots €1-3/day near resorts and airports.
Fuel & Navigation
Fuel stations limited outside main towns at €1.20-1.50/liter for petrol, €1.10-1.40 for diesel.
Apps: Use Google Maps or Maps.me for offline navigation, essential on remote roads.
Traffic: Light overall, but watch for potholes, goats, and sand drifts on coastal routes.
Urban Transport
Aluguer Minibuses
Shared transport covering islands like Santiago, single ride €0.50-2, day pass €5-10.
Validation: Pay cash to driver upon boarding, routes follow fixed paths between towns.
Apps: Limited, but local info boards and apps like Moovit for major routes.
Bike & Quad Rentals
Quad bikes popular on Sal and Boa Vista, €20-40/day with guided options available.
Routes: Coastal paths and dirt tracks ideal for adventure, helmets mandatory.
Tours: Organized quad tours explore volcanoes on Fogo, including safety briefings.
Taxis & Local Services
Fixed-rate taxis on all islands, €1-3/km, negotiate for longer trips between villages.
Tickets: Metered in cities like Praia, fixed prices at airports €10-20 to resorts.
Inter-Island Ferries: CV Interilhas connects southern islands, €20-50 depending on route.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation Tips
- Location: Stay near airports on Sal for easy access, beachfront on Boa Vista for relaxation.
- Booking Timing: Book 2-3 months ahead for dry season (Dec-May) and festivals like Santa Maria Carnival.
- Cancellation: Choose flexible rates when possible, especially for multi-island itineraries.
- Amenities: Check for AC, WiFi, and transfer services before booking on remote islands.
- Reviews: Read recent reviews (last 6 months) for accurate current conditions and service quality.
Communication & Connectivity
Mobile Coverage & eSIM
Good 4G coverage on main islands like Sal and Santiago, 3G/2G on remote ones.
eSIM Options: Get instant data with Airalo or Yesim from €5 for 1GB, no physical SIM needed.
Activation: Install before departure, activate upon arrival, works immediately.
Local SIM Cards
CVT and Unitel-Movistar offer prepaid SIMs from €5-15 with island-wide coverage.
Where to Buy: Airports, shops, or provider stores with passport required.
Data Plans: 3GB for €10, 8GB for €20, unlimited for €25/month typically.
WiFi & Internet
Free WiFi available in resorts, cafes, and airports on tourist islands.
Public Hotspots: Main towns and ports have free public WiFi networks.
Speed: Generally 5-50 Mbps in urban areas, suitable for browsing and calls.
Practical Travel Information
- Time Zone: Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), UTC+0, no daylight saving observed year-round.
- Airport Transfers: Sal Airport 8km from Santa Maria, taxi €10-15 (10 min), or book private transfer for €15-25.
- Luggage Storage: Available at airports (€3-5/day) and resort services in major towns.
- Accessibility: Limited on rugged islands, flights and ferries mostly accessible with assistance.
- Pet Travel: Pets allowed on ferries (small free, large €10), check resort policies before booking.
- Bike Transport: Quads/bikes on ferries for €5-10, free on flights if under size limits.
Flight Booking Strategy
Getting to Cabo Verde
Sal Airport (SID) is the main international hub. Compare flight prices on Aviasales, Trip.com, or Expedia for the best deals from major cities worldwide.
Main Airports
Amílcar Cabral (SID): Primary international gateway on Sal, 8km from resorts with taxi connections.
Nelson Mandela (RAI): Santiago hub 5km from Praia, bus to city €2 (20 min).
Aristides Pereira (BVC): Boa Vista airport with European flights, convenient for beaches.
Booking Tips
Book 2-3 months in advance for winter travel (Dec-Mar) to save 30-50% on average fares.
Flexible Dates: Flying mid-week (Tuesday-Thursday) typically cheaper than weekends.
Alternative Routes: Consider Lisbon or Dakar connections for potential savings on long-haul flights.
Budget Airlines
EasyJet, Ryanair, and TAP Air Portugal serve Sal and Santiago with European connections.
Important: Factor in baggage fees and inter-island transport when comparing total costs.
Check-in: Online check-in mandatory 24 hours before, airport fees higher.
Transportation Comparison
Money Matters on the Road
- ATMs: Available in main towns, typical withdrawal fee €2-4, use bank ATMs to avoid tourist markups.
- Credit Cards: Visa and Mastercard accepted at resorts, cash preferred in rural areas.
- Contactless Payment: Limited, but growing in tourist spots, Apple Pay in larger hotels.
- Cash: Essential for aluguers, markets, and small vendors, keep €50-100 in small notes.
- Tipping: Not customary, but 5-10% appreciated for good service in restaurants.
- Currency Exchange: Use Wise for best rates, avoid airport exchanges with poor rates.
