Sal
The long beaches of Santa Maria, the kitesurfing spots and the Pedra de Lume crater, where you float in water saltier than the sea.
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Destination guide
Cape Verde
Ten islands in the Atlantic, morna for a soundtrack and an easy-going way of life well worth the journey.
Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten volcanic islands set in the Atlantic off the coast of Senegal. Each has its own character: dunes and lagoons on Sal and Boa Vista, dizzying mountains on Santo Antão, a volcano on Fogo, music and carnival in Mindelo.
People come for the light, the wind and the sea, then stay for a singular culture born of the meeting between Africa and Portugal: morna, inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage, cachupa shared with family, and the gentle nostalgia Cape Verdeans call sodade.
From Dakar, less than two hours away by air, Tukkiji designs tailor-made trips to Cape Verde: islands chosen to suit you, inter-island flights and crossings, accommodation and excursions arranged in advance for a seamless journey.
Practical information
The essentials before you go.
- Capital
- Praia, on the island of Santiago
- Languages
- Portuguese (official language) and Cape Verdean Creole; French and English are often understood in hotels
- Currency
- Cape Verdean escudo (CVE): €1 = 110.265 CVE, fixed exchange rate
- Flights
- About 6 h from Paris (direct flights to Sal or Boa Vista depending on the season, otherwise via Lisbon); about 1 h 30 from Dakar
- Time difference
- GMT−1 all year round: 2 hours behind Paris in winter, 3 hours behind in summer, 1 hour behind Dakar
- Entry requirements
- EU citizens: no visa for short stays, but online pre-registration (EASE platform) and the airport security fee are compulsory at least 5 days before arrival; ECOWAS nationals, including Senegalese citizens: free movement, no visa
- Health
- Certified malaria-free by the WHO in 2024; yellow fever vaccination certificate required if arriving from a country at risk, such as Senegal
- Electricity
- 220 V, type C and F sockets (as in France)
When to go
The best time to travel, month by month.
Cape Verde enjoys a dry, sunny climate almost all year round, tempered by the trade winds. A short, irregular and often modest rainy season runs from August to October.
- Jan25 °CIdeal time
- Feb25 °CIdeal time
- Mar26 °CIdeal time
- Apr26 °CIdeal time
- May27 °CIdeal time
- Jun27 °CIdeal time
- Jul28 °CGood time
- Aug29 °CRainy season
- Sept30 °CRainy season
- Oct29 °CRainy season
- Nov28 °CIdeal time
- Dec26 °CIdeal time
- Ideal time
- Good time
- Rainy season
Average daytime temperatures on Sal and Boa Vista. From November to May the wind picks up: perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Rain is rare on the flat islands and more noticeable on the mountainous ones (Santiago, Santo Antão, Fogo), which turn green. From July to October, loggerhead turtles come ashore to nest on the beaches of Boa Vista and Sal.
Must-sees
The places not to miss.
Boa Vista
The island of dunes: the Viana desert, vast and almost empty beaches such as Santa Mónica, and quiet fishing villages.
Cidade Velha
On the island of Santiago, the first colonial town in the tropics, a World Heritage Site: its Rua Banana, its pillory and its fortress overlooking the bay.
São Vicente and Mindelo
The archipelago's cultural capital: colourful façades, a deep bay, evenings of morna and one of the most celebrated carnivals in West Africa.
Praia
The capital, on the island of Santiago: the Plateau and its colourful façades, Sucupira market, the beaches of Quebra Canela and a lively music scene.
Fogo
The volcano, rising to 2,829 m, its Chã das Caldeiras caldera, its vines grown on lava and its high-altitude coffee.
Frequently asked questions
What travellers often ask us.
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?
EU citizens do not need a visa for a short stay, but must register online on the EASE platform and pay the airport security fee at least 5 days before arrival. As Cape Verde is a member of ECOWAS, Senegalese and other West African nationals enjoy free movement. Rules change: check the requirements for your nationality before you travel.
When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
From November to June the weather is dry, sunny and breezy: the ideal time for the beach, hiking and board sports. July remains pleasant. From August to October it is hotter and there may be some rain, especially on the mountainous islands; it is also turtle season.
How many days do you need in Cape Verde?
A week lets you make the most of one island, Sal or Boa Vista, with an excursion. Allow ten to fifteen days to combine two or three islands, for example São Vicente and Santo Antão, or Santiago and Fogo. Inter-island connections take time, so it is best not to add too many stops.
Is Cape Verde safe to visit?
Cape Verde is one of the most stable countries in Africa, with a strong democratic tradition. The usual precautions apply, particularly against petty theft in towns, and some beaches have strong currents. Check your government's travel advice before you leave.
What currency is used in Cape Verde?
The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro at a fixed rate. Euros are often accepted in tourist areas, but change is given in escudos. Bank cards are accepted in hotels and many restaurants, and there are ATMs in the towns. The escudo is hard to exchange outside the country.
How do you travel between the Cape Verde islands?
By domestic flight or by ferry, depending on the islands. Some crossings are short, such as Mindelo to Santo Antão; others require a flight. Timetables can change and the sea can be rough, so we always build some leeway into the itinerary and book connections in advance.
Your journey, at your own pace.
Tell us what you dream of: we design a tailor-made trip and reply within 48 hours.