Info for travellers
This page offers you some helpful advice for your journey to Cape Verde
Journey and public transportation
With TAP Portugal you can fly from many European cities such as London, Paris, Munich, Frankfurt or Hamburg via Lisbon to Sal. Thomsonfly connects England and Germany with the islands of Boavista and Sal.
Transportation in between the islands: TACV offers domestic flights, approaching some destinations daily, others twice or three times a week. TACV issues a flight schedule, but it is subject to constant change. Changes in the schedule due to the weather are possible and quite frequent.
There is no air connection to Brava and Santo Antão, but the shipping company of Arca Verde runs several boats in between the islands at irregular intervals. Armas, a shipping company widely known on the Canary Islands, runs boats from Mindelo to Santo Antão once or twice a day. Brava can be reached by ferry from Fogo, but note that there is no set schedule.
Once you’ve reached your destination, the usual way to get around is by so-called
"Aluguer" - small minivans or pick-ups that serve as shared taxi cabs. Fares are relatively cheap, unless the Aluguer is rented for private jou
Entry requirements
People entering Cape Verde are required to have a passport, valid for at least six months, and a visa. Currently, the visa charge is 45 EUR, and it is available at the respective embassy or consulate.
If you wish to book a journey with us, we will take care of the visa matters for you. All we require is the necessary personal information, such as date of birth and passport number, etc..
Money and exchange rates
The national currency is the Cape Verdian Escudo (ECV). Due to the set exchange rate (1 EUR = 110,25 ECV) fluctuations are nonexistent. Import and export of the Escudo is prohibited. Upon arrival, you should bring EUR in cash, since the charges when exchanging traveller’s cheques are extremely high. The airport in Sal offers money exchange facilities, as do banks on the different islands.
Cape Verde is no destination for budget travellers: Most goods have to be imported, and due to the islands’ location transportation costs are high.
Taking pictures
We advise you to bring enough films from your country and, if possible, store them in a cool and dry place while travelling. Also, you should have the films developed back home. Due to the high light intensity on the islands, black-and-white films with a low sensitivity are best. Color films should be slightly underexposed. Of course, digital cameras work as well. Just don’t forget the batteries!
Mail and telecommunication
The postal and telecommunications network in Cape Verde is comparably well developed and dependable. Letters sent to and from Europe take about two weeks. International calls can be placed directly from every public phone, and the local mobile network has been extended more or less area-wide. Some European mobile network operators have contracts with Cape Verde, so your mobile phone might work there - for further information please contact your operator. The international area code for phone calls to Cape Verde is +238.
Tip
Generally, tip is not expected. But a small tip is appreciated if service was satisfactory.
Current voltage
Standards are 220 V and 50 Hz and match European power outlet norms, so there is no need to bring an adapter.
