Travel Essentials

Cape Verde: What To Know Before You Go

Q: What is the emergency number in Cape Verde?

Police: 132, Ambulance: 130, Fire: 131

Plugs: Types C and F, 230 V. Emergency: Police 132, Ambulance 130, Fire 131. Tipping: Not required; about 10 percent in restaurants for good service is appreciated. Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water; tap water is not reliably safe.

Open The Cape Verde Trip Kit

Plugs And Power

Types C and F, 230 V

Emergency Numbers

Police	132
Ambulance	130
Fire	131

Tipping

Not required; about 10 percent in restaurants for good service is appreciated.

Water And Health

Tap water: Drink bottled or treated water; tap water is not reliably safe
Vaccines: Routine vaccines, hepatitis A, typhoid
Malaria: None; certified malaria-free by the WHO in 2024

Apps To Download Before You Go

EASE (Cabo Verde pre-arrival portal): Every visitor must register and pay the airport security tax online at ease.gov.cv before flying, even if visa-free.
Binter: Inter-island flights between Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago, São Vicente and others are booked in the airline's app or site.
WhatsApp: Guesthouses, tour guides and aluguer (shared taxi) drivers organize everything by WhatsApp.
Vinti4 / SISP: The national card network used by local banks and ATMs; foreign Visa and Mastercard cards also work at big hotels and many ATMs, but carry cash for small places.
Booking.com: Most hotels and guesthouses on the islands list rooms here.
Wise: A fee-saving way to move money; escudos are tied to the euro at a fixed rate.
Google Translate: Helps with Portuguese; Kriolu is the everyday language and is not well supported.

Customs And Etiquette

Greetings. Greet people with a handshake or a kiss on each cheek, and say 'Bon dia' when entering a shop or taxi.

Slow pace. Life is relaxed; ferries and buses can run late, so allow extra time for island hops.

Entry rules. Register on the EASE portal and pay the airport security tax at least five days before arrival. Since 2026 many nationalities need a visa before travel.

Safety And Scams

Cabo Verde is among the safest countries in West Africa, but petty theft occurs in Praia, Mindelo and tourist towns.

Bag snatching in towns. Keep phones and cameras out of sight in busy areas of Praia, Mindelo and Santa Maria, especially at night.

Overpriced taxi rides. Agree on the fare before you get into a taxi, or use aluguer shared taxis with posted prices.

Street hawkers. Vendors may place bracelets or souvenirs on you and then ask for money; decline politely.

Women travelers. Generally safe; avoid empty beaches and unlit streets at night, and expect friendly attention.

LGBTQ+ Travelers

Legal · Mostly Safe

Same-sex relations have been legal since 2004, and employment discrimination is banned. Social attitudes are mixed, and public displays of affection draw attention.

What Things Cost

Coffee (café)	CVE 100	$1.05
Local bus or metro ride	CVE 50	$0.55
Mid-range restaurant meal	CVE 1,200	$12.60
Hostel bed / budget room (night)	CVE 2,500	$26
Mid-range hotel (night)	CVE 9,000	$95
Daily budget, mid-range traveler	CVE 6,500	$68

2026-09

Best Time To Visit

November to June is dry and sunny with cooler nights and steady winds. July to October is the rainy season with higher humidity and some storms, but greener hills on Santo Antão.

Phrases

Basic Portuguese phrases · Basic Cape Verdean Creole phrases · Basic English phrases · Basic French phrases