The archipelago of Cape Verde presents the nearest tropical islands to the Europe. Climatically they are a marine extension of the Sahara, and benefit from a dry, moderate climate throughout the year with generally very little rainfall although it can vary according to the island and altitude. At the coast it rains on average only 22 days a year in contrast to nearly 3000 hours of sunshine (average 8 hours per day). There is a pleasant, almost permanent breeze. It can rain more often in the green and mountainous islands.
Cape Verde is a cocktail of what you may find in other destinations. The magnificent beaches often with lush interiors and the Creole people are reminiscent of the Seychelles. Islands such as Sal and São Vicente have a barren landscape and climate similar to the Canary Islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura. In the verdant highlands of Santiago, Santo Antão and São Nicolau you could quite easily be in Kenya’s Rift Valley. Some of the coastal areas and fishing villages recall The Gambia. The awesome volcanic island of Fogo rises from the sea like Stromboli. The overall impression is of a fascinating and unspoiled holiday destination with each island different to its neighbour.
Although tourism to the islands is developing, it remains in its infancy and many aspects are unsophisticated compared to more established and well-known resorts. Cape Verde will appeal to those wishing to experience a vibrant way of life, fascinating people, fabulous beaches, sunshine, some island hopping and a sense of adventure.

The Cape Verde Islands

Cape Verde comprises 10 islands in the Atlantic, 800 miles south of the Canaries and on the same latitude as Barbados. The nearest land mass is Senegal 385 miles to the east.

Now a recent and carefully developed tourism plan has made Cape Verde an exciting newcomer to those seeking a somewhat different holiday destination with almost guaranteed sunshine. The long beaches of endless white sand fringing a turquoise ocean, friendly and interesting people and a laid-back lifestyle are somewhat reminiscent of the early days of tourism in the Seychelles.

Overseas investment, including the property market, is buoyant. It is one of only four African nations not considered ‘Third World’.

The people are a fascinating mix of their two nearest neighbours, Brazil and Senegal, with a vibrant culture which appears in harmony with the sounds and rhythms of both - a fusion of Samba and Salsa with tribal Africa. The capital, Praia, on Santiago has a population of 120,000 and is distinctly African. Mindelo on São Vicente has a population of 80,000 and is very European and reminiscent of grand Portuguese and Brazilian provincial cities.

Cape Verde became independent from Portugal in 1975 and the vast majority of the 482,000 people are Christian. 71% of the population is Creole, 28% African and 1% European.

The main industries are fishing, the manufacture of shoes and clothes, boat building and repair, and agriculture, with many banana and other tropical and temperate fruit plantations. The ocean and its shores, as well as the interior, are unpolluted.



Accommodation
The standard of accommodation ranges from the equivalent of European four star hotels to comfortable and clean family-run guesthouse style.

Food and Wine

You can find restaurants to suit most tastes in the more popular areas. Freshly caught fish is always on the menu cooked to local recipes, with relatively inexpensive swordfish and tuna widely found. Bananas, papaya, mango and other fruit including strawberries are usually readily available when in season. Most meat is imported from Brazil and South Africa.

The wines come mainly from Portugal, although there are good wines produced on the island of Fogo, and there are local beers and a rum-based grogue. Fogo also produces fine coffee and cheese.

Shopping
Interestingly many shops are now run by the Chinese, originally from Macau. There is a good curio and ceramic shop on Santiago and local foods and liquor are popular purchases.

Activities
Island-hopping, trekking, horseriding, diving and watersports are popular activities.

Cape Verde comprises two distinctly different types of islands. Seven of the more westerly islands are characterised by their mountainous landscapes, whereas the three closer to Africa (Boa Vista, Sal and Maio) are distinguished by their long sandy beaches.Island-hopping between them using a combination of local ferries and inter-island flights is a popular pastime.

Trekking and rambling along the paths created by the local people on the islands of Santiago, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Fogo introduces you to breathtaking scenery with green valleys, rocky inlets, terraced plantations and volcanic peaks.

During the summer months (April to October) bird watching on most islands is also popular. The islands are normally a key nesting site for loggerhead turtles in August and September.

The crystal clear waters around the islands are excellent for scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Waterskiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing are also popular activities, depending upon weather conditions.

Entertainment
Some of the larger hotels provide international style entertainment. However local entertainment is most interesting, especially on Sal and São Vicente where there is a choice of clubs, bars and restaurants. The local people thrive on music and dancing, and a band will strike up anywhere for an impromptu beach or street party. Salsa and Samba mixed with tribal African dance are de rigueur.
Cape Verdeans love festivals, the most splendid being the annual Mardi Gras in late February, but each island indulges in at least two additional fiestas each year.

Getting Around
There are international airports on Boa Vista, Sal , Sao Vicente and Santiago. Travel within the islands is by inter-island flights, or by ferry between São Vicente and Santo Antão, subject to timetables.
Travelling around the islands by aluguers, locally run minibuses, is a great way to get to know the locals. Car hire is available on some islands. Most roads are challenging and are often of local stone or rough tracks.

Language
Portuguese is the national language and is widely spoken along with the local Creole.
English is taught at school and generally understood.

Money
The local currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (£1= 160 escudos), but the €uro is widely acepted
Credit cards are gradually being introduced and Visa is now normally accepted in tourist hotels and some restaurants. ATMs can now be found on Sal, São Vicente, Boa Vista and Santiago. Alternatively, money can be drawn from banks against a credit card.
Shops and restaurants work on fixed prices and generally exchange at the rate of 100 escudos / 1 euro. Bartering, as found in neighbouring African countries, is not normally part of the culture.

Local costs
On the islands of Boa Vista, Maio, Sal and São Vicente almost all produce is imported and the cost of a meal in resort areas is similar to Europe. Drinks are slightly cheaper. A large draught beer at the Morabeza Beach Club on Sal is approximately €2.or $2.80 and you can find a decent bottle of Portuguese wine for around €13 or $16. The islands of Fogo, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Santiago are more self-sufficient and prices tend to be a little cheaper.

Health
No vaccinations are required and malaria and other tropical diseases are not endemic.
There are hospitals in urban areas and clinics in villages. Please be aware that medical facilities on Cape Verde for serious illnesses and injuries are not generally of a standard expected in more developed countries. Large hotels have a clinic and/or a doctor on regular visits. Sanitation is generally very good. As a precautionary measure it is advisable to take medications against stomach upsets. To reduce the possibility of stomach upsets it helps to avoid tap water, ice in drinks, raw salads and unpeeled fruit.

Safety
Cape Verde has the fourth largest GDP in Africa as well as one of Africa’s most stable democratic governments, and is considered safe. However, as elsewhere in the world, you should always exercise caution when out walking and not display valuable items.

You should follow local advice before swimming in the Atlantic as in some areas there are strong undercurrents and riptides.

Water
We recommend drinking only bottled water throughout your stay.

Dress code
The dress code is casual although some hotels require gentlemen to wear long trousers for dinner. As it can be cool in the mountains and often windy at the coast with cool evenings, you are advised to pack at least one warm sweater.

Time Difference
Cape Verde is on GMT-1

Electricity
220v with 2 or 3 pin sockets. A European adaptor is required.

Communications
The mobile phone signal for most networks is surprisingly good in Cape Verde. Several hotels have a central wifi connection and there are internet cafes.

Santiago
This is the largest island and includes the capital of the republic, Praia, which is a distinctly African town, vibrant and pulsating with a thriving market. A stay on Santiago offers more variety than other islands, and most people will enjoy the excursions around the island and into the mountainous and agricultural hinterland. The coast is rugged with a few sandy coves and a visit to the northern fishing village of Tarrafal is popular.

The town of Ribeiro Grande , renamed Cidada Velha in the late 18th century, was acclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. Located in the south of the island it was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics. The well-preserved remains include some of the original street layout, two ancient churches, an impressive royal fortress and Pillory Square, with its ornate 16th century marble pillar---now a monument in memory of the slaves who were chained to it awaiting transportation. Ribeiro Grande was the centre of maritime routes from between Europe and Brazil, the Caribbean and other parts of Africa

São Vicente
An interesting island with a distinctly European flavour, which has attracted the bohemian set with musicians, intellectuals and artists mingling with the tourists. There are some good beaches, particularly attractive to windsurfers, with San Pedro reckoned to be one of the world’s finest for speed windsurfing. Mindelo, the main town, is relatively lively. It has the distinguished air of the Portuguese and Brazilian provinces, yet it was for a long time occupied by the British. Many of the family names of the island residents are British.

Santo Antão
This is the second largest island and probably one of the most beautiful and the greenest with stunning mountain scenery, extinct craters, deep valleys and ravines and agriculture ranging from wild strawberries to plantations of tropical and temperate fruit and vegetables. Much of the scenery is reminiscent of the Peruvian Andes. Village life is simple and many houses are still thatched. It is reached by ferry from São Vicente (50 minutes) and the lack of an airport probably accounts for its special appeal. The road from the ferry port of Porto Novo across the island to Ribeiro Grande may be one of the world’s most amazing journeys! For those wishing to stay on the island rather than take a day visit, the trekking is superb. There is a comfortable and rustic hotel, which has been built on a farm estate

Fogo
In Creole fogo means ‘fire’ and indeed the island is dominated by the volcanic cone of Pico de Fogo, which at 2829m is the highest point in the republic, and whose last eruption was in 1995. It is an awesome island with ever changing scenery - there are verdant terraces of coffee and vines and plantations of bananas and oranges, which contrast with bleak lunar plains and black sand beaches. The pretty main town of São Filipe is reminiscent of colonial days with a distinctly French influence. The two villages in the Crater are an amazing phenomenon and probably unique. If you are a serious trekker you may want to stay in the simple Pousada Pedra Brabu where the lack of hot water and electricity are compensated for by its stunning location in the middle of the Crater.
Many of the village inhabitants are dark skinned, blue-eyed and with blond hair and go by the family name of Montran—the name of the Frenchman who settled and introduced the famous Fogo wine.

Brava
The smallest of the islands, Brava is very green and mountainous with deep and abrupt valleys. It is known for its rich vegetation and diverse flowers and is often referred to as the ‘Island of Flowers’.
Excellent for trekking, this somewhat mysterious and foreboding island is reached by ferry from Fogo (20km), operating on Wednesday and Friday. Accommodation can be found in a couple of modest pensions.

Boa Vista
Boa Vista offers two magnificent beaches (Chaves12km and Santa Monica 19km) of powder white sand. It is the nearest island to the African coast and has a desert interior of high sand dunes. The main town of Sal Rei is a sleepy place that can come alive at dusk. Boa Vista has a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. There are some good watersports, jeep safaris, quad bikes for hire and horseriding. Whale and dolphin watching is best in March and April.

Sal
Sal is the most developed island and is home to many of the international hotels, as well as the main airport for package tourist clients, who may only visit Sal and go away with an unbalanced view, as they will not have witnessed the splendour and variety offered by the other islands. It is a relatively flat island that has become popular due to its superb white sand beaches. The main holiday town is Santa Maria, where there are restaurants and bars and pastel-shaded houses and shops line the streets. It is a haven for sun lovers and beachcombers with a good selection of professionally run watersports, the availability of which can depend

There are regular flights from Europe (London 6 hours; Amsterdam 6 hours; Paris 6 hours; Lisbon 4 hours), Brazil 4 hours and the USA (Boston 8 hours; Atlanta 8 hours). There are also charter flights from various Italian cities.

We have offices with staff speaking English, German, Italian, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Russian on the islands of Sao Vicente, Santiago, Fogo, Sal and Boa Vista. On the other islands we provide multi lingual local representatives.

The dm AFRICA team in the Cape Verde islands is headed by Miguel Carneiro who is assisted by a team of local and international experts, including his sister Romina and his wife Sandra. The office was originally founded by Miguel’s father, Ernesto, who pioneered tourism to the islands more than 20 years ago. So our team is very much a family affair

Before arriving in Cape Verde, Miguel studied law and has an honours degree from the University of Lisbon. He is fluent in several languages including English, German, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish. Miguel is an accomplished sportsman with soccer a special passion—not surprising when Cape Verde has produced so many top soccer players now playing in the English Premiership and other top leagues in Europe.

Romina has a degree in philosophy and also speaks several languages. She is an accomplished guitar player and can often be found in the islands’ bars and restaurants giving her own renditions of haunting morna melodies. A new Cesaria Evora maybe?
Other members of the team are to be found in our offices throughout the islands and include airport and tour operator representatives and eco-guides for trekking on the islands of Santo Antao, Santiago and Fogo.