OIÁ
CABO VERDE
TRAVEL INFORMATION
WHEN TO VISIT CAPE VERDE?
Throughout the year, the Cape Verde islands have a pleasant climate and lots of sunshine. For most visitors without a specific interest in one activity, Cape Verde can be visited all year round. Ideal conditions for windsurfers are in January and February, although the rest of the year is also good. Divers have the best underwater visibility from June to December. Islands with mountains are most attractive to hikers during and just after the July to December period. If you want to experience nesting turtles? The season runs from June to October. The turtles hatch from mid-August to November and head out to sea. The best opportunities to spot whales are in Boavista in March and April. Music and festival lovers can opt for the São Vicente Carnival in February. Or for the São Vicente Baía das Gates festival in August. Another big festival in May is the Gamboa music festival in Santiago. Throughout the year there are also some smaller festivals that you can visit. Cape Verde is not expensive. If your budget is limited, you may be able to find the cheapest accommodation from April to June and in October.
CURRENCY AND MONEY TRANSACTIONS
The currency on the Cape Verde Islands is the escudo. The currency is abbreviated with the $ sign after the number (e.g. $1,000$) or by the letters CVE. The Cape Verdean escudo is linked to the euro and is worth 110,265. Rounding 1 euro is equivalent to 110 CVE. An easy fee if you want to convert money. In short, if you want an indication of how much something costs in euros you divide the value in escudos by 100 and subtract another 10% from that value. Or a simpler explanation: get two zeros in the value (1,000 CVE then 10 euros) and get another 10% discount (10 euros minus 10% = 9 euros). Exchange offices/hotels may differ slightly from the rate. Below we present some values and the value in escudo or euro. 1 euro = 110 escudos 5 euros = 550 escudos 10 euros = 1,100 escudos 50 euros = 5,500 escudos 100 euros = 11,000 escudos 110 escudos = 1 euro 1,000 escudos = 9 euros 2,500 escudos = 23 euros 5,000 escudos = 45 euros Paper currency is available in: 200, 500, 1,000, 2,000 and 5,000 cruises. The 2,000 escudos note represents world-renowned musical icon Cesária Évora. The coin has values of 1, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 escudos.
PAYMENT METHODS
Credit cards are accepted by a large number of hotels, restaurants and stores. However, there is a difference between the region and the different islands. Therefore, it is wiser not to count on it. This way you will never have any problems. Credit cards can also be used at ATMs. Bank cards with a Visa, Maestro, Cirrus or Mastercard logo can be used at ATMs. For every cash withdrawal, transaction costs are automatically deducted. It's a few euros at most at a time. ATMs can be found in the country's main banks (BCA and BCN). Traveler's checks are also accepted as a means of payment, but due to cross costs they are less favorable compared to pinning or paying by credit card.
TRANSPORT
There are many different options on the Cape Verde Islands to get from A to B. Transport is well organized. Whether you want to take a taxi, a minibus or simply rent a car. There are many possibilities and they are also relatively cheap. The most important means of transport in Cape Verde are explained below. Rental Renting is the characteristic and most important means of transport in Cape Verde. The rental is a small minibus that runs between two destinations and for which you will only pay a few euros. Shared minibuses are also called 'yasi' or 'hilux' (pickup), in honor of the Toyota brand car model. Rentals drive everywhere and drive around looking for and searching for travelers. However, they often drive at fixed times and not all day. If you find a ticket rental, just raise your hand and they will stop for you. You can go out wherever you want. A rental can accommodate 10 to 15 people and they usually leave if there are enough people in the van. Traveling with a rental is a cheap and safe way to travel. You also get to know the local population at the rental (and on the way). Bus There are a limited number of bus lines in Cape Verde and only in large cities like Praia. Algueres is the bus alternative. See also above. Taxi There are plenty of taxis in Cape Verde, especially in the big cities and islands that are more tourist-oriented. The taxi is mainly used to get to the airport or accommodation. You generally pay a fixed price for a taxi, but it is advisable to arrange this in advance. It is usually possible to negotiate the price. Taxi drivers generally speak English and are helpful. Rent a car The islands of the Cape Verde archipelago are excellent for exploring by car. There are several car rental companies available and renting a car is ideal for being independent. On some islands there are also some off road routes where you can only drive with a 4×4 rental car. For an overview of car rental companies, costs and rental requirements, see the page on car rental in Cape Verde. Ferry or boat With the ferry you see very different things about the landscape than when you take the plane to another island in Cape Verde. The boat is essential, but in most cases it is not the shortest route. You should also be aware that ferries or boats sail in the rough ocean. A frequent ferry trip is the crossing from São Vicente to Santo Antão and takes a maximum of 1 hour. For an overview of connections, an indication of departure times and prices, see the page about ferries in Cape Verde.
DOMESTIC FLIGHTS
Cape Verde is made up of 9 inhabited islands and most of the islands have an airport. Flying is the easiest, most comfortable and most reliable way to travel between the islands. There are several daily flights between the islands. Flight time is between 20 and 50 minutes, depending on the distance. And taking a domestic flight is not expensive. For a short flight you pay around 50 euros per person. Flight tickets can be booked in advance, but last minute if you are already in Cape Verde. Of course, the price is lower if you book a flight well in advance. For more information, see the page with domestic flights to Cape Verde. Mandatory registration and airport security fee (TSA) Before traveling to Cape Verde you must register with the Cape Verdean authorities through the EASE online platform. This is an electronic travel authorization for air passengers arriving on the Cape Verde Islands, regardless of nationality or whether or not they need a visa. Furthermore, when arriving by plane – in most cases – you must pay a security fee (Airport Security Fee – TSA). Registration and security surcharge can be paid via the EASE online platform (preferred). This can also be arranged at the border (customs). For more information, read the article on the Airport Security Fee.
TOURIST VISA
A tourist visa of up to 30 days is required in Cape Verde unless you come from one of the visa-exempt countries that are further in Africa or Europe. If the stay is longer than 30 days, the visa can be extended there. A visa is not required for people of Cape Verdean origin (regardless of current nationality) and their spouses/children. Applying for a tourist visa yourself is very simple. You can apply for a visa to Cape Verde in two ways: The Cape Verde embassy or consulate in your country. As a reference, the cost in Belgium is approximately 45 euros per visa, excluding postage. For children under 12 years of age, the visa is free; At the airport of one of Cape Verde's international airports (Sal, Boavista, Santiago or São Vicente). First you queue to buy your visa and then go through customs. The costs per visa are around 25 euros. You can pay with euros or by credit card. You have to wait a little longer in line, but it's a cheaper alternative. For a visa application, the following conditions are relevant: The passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Cape Verde. You can apply for a passport at the city hall. Do this in time before leaving for Cape Verde; The passport details you use when applying for the visa must match the details on your passport; If you apply for a visa through an embassy/consulate, you must also present the following: proof of return flight, proof of accommodation reservation or reference and passport photo. Visa-exempt countries For short-term stays, a visa to enter Cape Verde is not required for citizens of: European Union (30-day stay); Other Europe: Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Vatican City (30-day stay); Asia: Singapore, Timor-Leste, (30-day stay); Russia (60-day stay); North America: Canada, United States (30-day stay); South America: Brazil (30-day stay); Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkino Faso, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Hong Kong, Liberia, Macau, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria*, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo (90 stay daytime). Note: You still need to register. See the ‘Required Registration and Airport Security Fee (TSA)’ section at the end of this article.
INTERESTING DATA
We have summarized for you some interesting facts about Cape Verde. It's good to know more about the Cape Verde islands. And if you're going to travel to Cape Verde, it's also good to be a little prepared. - In many places you can also pay with euros. For example, in many places in Sal, Boavista and São Vicente. - Take a few euros when traveling to Cape Verde. Due to the presence of ATMs and the ability to pay in euros, this makes it more flexible. - The prices of products, in areas where there are more tourists, are often also indicated in euros. - Shields are often not exchangeable in our country. Make sure you don't have too many shields when you go out. - It is common to tip in restaurants. The tip rate is around 5 to 10% of the total amount. - The prices of products/services in Cape Verde are generally lower than, for example, in Europe. Especially on islands with fewer tourists. - Make sure you have enabled the worldwide withdrawal option at your bank. In most cases, the option of withdrawing money outside of Europe is excluded. - In 1975 Cape Verde became independent from Portugal. In ancient times, it was a country with Guinea-Bissau (continental West Africa). - A new flag and anthem were introduced in 1992. - Some negotiations during the South African anti-apartheid struggle (ANC and South African government) took place in Cape Verde. - Cape Verde is part of the Macaronesian islands along with the Canary Islands and Azores. - The Cape Verde Islands are a kind of end of the Sahara dessert. This desert on the African continent brings some sand to certain areas of Cape Verde through the wind. The desert sand on the island of Boavista is partly the result. - The population of Cape Verde is a mixture of Portuguese and African origins. - The Cape Verde football team is also called the “blue sharks”. - The majority of Cape Verdeans live abroad. In America alone there are more than 350,000 Cape Verdeans. And a large density of the Cape Verdean community lives in the Netherlands. More than 30,000, most of whom live in Rotterdam and surrounding areas in the Netherlands. - More than half of Cape Verde's population lives on the island of Santiago. - The ethnicities in Cape Verde are 71% Creole, 28% African and 1% European. - Many of Cape Verde's islands are, like Hawaii, made of volcanic rocks. The last volcanic eruption occurred at the end of 2014/beginning of 2015 on the island of Fogo. - Santa Luzia, Raso and Branco are the smallest islands in the archipelago, but they are uninhabited. The smallest inhabited island is Brava. - Natural resources and good agricultural land are limited on the islands. However, the country is one of the most stable and economically stable countries in Africa. - Ribeira Grande in Santiago is the original capital of the archipelago. This was also the first European city in the tropics. Nowadays Praia is the capital of Cape Verde. - Climate change has a major impact on the archipelago due to the limited presence of water and dry areas. - 80% of food is imported. Limited agricultural production (one-tenth of the land is suitable) and geographic location in relation to the African continent ensure that most food comes from abroad. - The name of the island of Sal means “salt”; Boavista means “good view”; May means ‘May’; Fogo means ‘fire’ and Brava means ‘wild’. - Cape Verdean Creole, also spoken in the Netherlands Antilles, is closely related to each other. Speakers of both languages will be able to understand each other. - Estrada a Corda is the most beautiful road/route and is made up of more than 15 million cobblestones. - Charles Darwin studied the flora and fauna of Cape Verde in 1832.