Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde suits travelers who want Atlantic beaches, volcanic hiking and live music on islands that each feel distinct.
Cabo Verde is an island nation of ten volcanic islands, nine of them inhabited, about 570 km off the West African coast near Senegal. The islands form two groups, the windward Barlavento islands and the leeward Sotavento islands. Portuguese settlers arrived in the 15th century, and the mix of Portuguese and African roots shows in the language, music and food. Cabo Verdean Creole is the everyday spoken language, and morna, a slow song form sung in Creole, is the national music.
Each island feels different. Sal and Boa Vista are flat, sandy and dry, with beach resorts, and Sal is known for windsurfing and kiteboarding. Santiago holds the capital, Praia. Santo Antão has towering mountains over arid slopes, Fogo has the region's largest active volcano, and Mindelo on São Vicente is known for its harbor, music and Carnival. Rain falls mostly from August to October, in short heavy downpours. Plan at least a week, longer if you want a beach island and a mountain island, since flights link the main islands more often than boats do.
Five things to know before Cabo Verde
- Pre-register on EASE at least 5 days before
Fill in the traveler entry form on EASE at least 5 days before you arrive and pay the airport security fee (TSA) online. From July 1, 2026, arriving without proof means paying double the TSA fee at the border. EASE pre-registration
- Check whether your passport still needs a visa
UK passport holders need no visa for visits of up to 30 days. Cabo Verde's official site says nationals of some countries need a visa from January 1, 2026, so check your passport on the official list. Visas and entry
- Pick islands by what you want
Sal and Boa Vista are for beaches and wind sports, Santo Antão and Fogo for hiking, São Vicente for Mindelo's music scene. Two or three islands fit a week.
- Book inter-island ferries and flights early
Ferries link Santo Antão and São Vicente daily, but other routes run less often and seas can cancel sailings. Keep a spare day before your flight home.
- Carry a signed letter for children traveling alone
Children aged 17 and under traveling alone, or with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian, need a letter of authorization to travel, in Portuguese.
Cabo Verde travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
EASE pre-registration, the TSA fee and who needs a visa.
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for hikes, water sports and inter-island travel.
Read the guidePhones and eSIMData plans that work across the islands.
Read the guideMoney and cardsEscudos, euros and cards on Sal versus the smaller islands.
Read the guideGetting aroundInter-island ferries, domestic flights and aluguer minibuses.
Read the guideWhere to stayResorts on Sal and Boa Vista, guesthouses on Santo Antão.
Read the guide
When to go
- Best
- JanuaryDry, windy
- FebruaryDry, windy
- MarchDry, sunny
- AprilDry, sunny
- MayDry, warm
- JuneDry, warm
- JulyHumid
- AugustRainy spells
- SeptemberWettest
- OctoberRains ease
- NovemberDry, warm
- DecemberDry, windy
Right now in Cabo Verde
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 5 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Santiago
07:05 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today27°23°100%Monday: Rain. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue26°22°93%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 26°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Wed27°22°81%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Thu28°22°42%Thursday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 42%.
- Fri27°24°6%Friday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat28°23°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun30°23°0%Sunday: Clear. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 05:09 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 98.8 CVE
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Before you go to Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde FAQ
Do I need a visa for Cabo Verde?
UK passport holders do not for visits of up to 30 days, but must fill in the EASE entry form and pay the airport security fee. Some nationalities need a visa from January 1, 2026; check the official list.
What is the Cabo Verde airport security fee?
The TSA is a per-person fee paid online with the EASE pre-registration. From July 1, 2026, travelers who have not pre-registered pay double at the border.
Which Cabo Verde island is best?
Sal and Boa Vista for beaches and kitesurfing, Santo Antão for hiking, Fogo for the volcano and São Vicente for Mindelo's music and nightlife.
When is the best time to visit Cabo Verde?
November to June is dry and sunny. December to March is windy, good for kitesurfing, and August to October brings the rainy spells.
Can I pay in euros in Cabo Verde?
Often, in tourist areas on Sal and Boa Vista, but change is given in escudos. Carry escudos for the smaller islands and local transport.