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Cape Verde
- The Climate in Cape Verde
- About Cape Verde
- Cape Verde's Island
- Local Business Directory for Cape Verde
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Average value
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Jan
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Feb
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Mar
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Apr
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May
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Jun
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Jul
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Aug
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Sep
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Oct
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Nov
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Dec
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max day temperature °C
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24
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24
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25
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25
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25
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26
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27
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28
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29
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29
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27
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25
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min night temperature ° C
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23
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22
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22
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22
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23
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24
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25
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25
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27
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26
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26
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24
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daily hours of daylight
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11
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12
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12
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12
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13
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13
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13
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13
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12
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12
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11
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11
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sea temperature
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23
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23
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23
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23
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23
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24
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26
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27
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27
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27
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26
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25
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The Cape Verde islands enjoy a climate similar to that of the Caribbean. With an average of 360 days of sunshine each year, the cooling ocean currents keep the temperatures surprisingly pleasant. It can be weeks before there is any rainfall – even in the official rainy season of mid-August to mid-October. Even in “winter” temperatures rarely fall below 20°C. The number of hours of sunshine averages 10 to 12 each day, except from August to October when the daily average is 6 to 7 hours.
Discovered by the Portuguese in 1470, there are 9 inhabited islands in the Cape Verde archipelago. Sitting in the Atlantic Ocean, Cape Verde marks the midway point between Portugal and Brazil. The Cape Verdians are as friendly and hospitable as the Portuguese, sharing the same language, past culture and excellent cuisine. With a developed tourist market, English is widely spoken throughout the islands.
Cape Verde is a great location for water sports and the warm, crystal-clear waters, teeming with fish (and the odd ship wreck) make for great Scuba diving. Turtles breed on several of the Cape Verde beaches and Humpback whales bring their calves into the Murdeira Villas Bay on the island of Sal. The outer Cape Verde islands are home to a large variety of seabirds.
The currency is the Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) – the exchange rate is fixed at 110 CVE to the Euro. CVE cannot be transferred out of the islands and Banks will change traveller’s cheques and foreign currency. They will also issue CVE from credit cards but charge a high commission. Credit cards are not widely accepted on the islands however this is changing. There is a bureau de change and an ATM at the airport – the later is currently the only one on the islands.
- Boa Vista
- Brava
- Fogo
- Maio
- Sal
- Santo Antão
- São Tiago (Santiago)
- São Nicolau
- São Vicente
This is a relatively undiscovered and unspoiled island. It is a 15 minute flight from the international airport on the island of Sal and has stunning white sandy beaches which are often deserted. Its waters teem with marine life; turtles have been spotted on the southern beaches; and between December and February humpback whales have been sighted off-shore.
The nightlife is very low key and is mostly centred on the restaurants and bars. The capital of the island, Sal Rei, has a small harbour; a charming central square with restaurants (serving excellent lobster), bars and shops; and 3 beaches: Cabral, Praia Diante and Estoril - which has a beach bar.
To the south of the island is Santa Monica beach, and on the west coast is Chaves.
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Activities include:
- diving
- fishing
- wind surfing
- kite surfing
- quad biking
- line and deep sea fishing
This relaxing island is the smallest inhabited Cape Verde island and the beautiful landscape is full of contrasts, from high peaks to deep valleys – the coastline has dramatic towering lava cliffs with plenty of bays. Ferries run from the islands of Santiago and Fogo.
Known as the “Island of Flowers” (particularly lobelia, hibiscus, bougainvillea and jasmine) Brava is much greener than the other Cape Verde Islands and its main industries are agriculture and fishing.
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This is the 4th largest island with the highest peak in Cape Verde. The island has an active volcano which has contributed to the island’s fertile land. Coffee grows on the volcano’s slopes and vineyards in its 10 km by 7 km crater provide the grapes used to produce Fogo wine – at the top is a restaurant where walkers can enjoy the lovely views with their meal.
São Filipe is the capital of the island – it is a pretty town full of typical Portuguese square, cobbled streets and traditionally tiled houses. A promenade runs alongside the black sand beach with views across to the island of Brava.
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This small and tranquil island remains relatively untouched by tourism and has vast, deserted white beaches where turtles lay their eggs in the summer. It can be reached from Santiago by a short ferry trip or an 8 minute flight into the island’s little airport.
This is a great place to relax – the lovely scenic landscape is peppered with forests, sugar cane plantations, little oases and a few small towns.
Most residents live in the island’s capital Vila do Maio, which being set on the south-west of the island is sheltered from the prevailing breeze. Beside one of Cape Verde’s longest beaches, the town is a mix of Portuguese and British colonial style building rising up a steep hill below a vast Baroque church.
To the north of the island is a lovely 5 km lagoon surrounded by lush vegetation.
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Sal is the most developed of the Cape Verde Islands and the location of the islands’ international airport. The landscape is flat and arid with a salt lake at Pedra de Lume and a volcanic crater.
Santa Maria is Sal’s main tourist resort (about 15 minutes from the airport). It has a square with shops, bars with live music, restaurants and a night club. There are also some excellent restaurants overlooking the beach.
The town of Espargos also has shops, bars and restaurants.
The main port is Palmeira is a working fishing harbour.
This is a great beach holiday destination with white sandy beaches; crystal clear waters rich with tropical fish, dolphins and turtles; and a variety of water sports including:
- wind surfing
- kite surfing
- diving
- deep sea fishing
- boat trips to the islands of Boa and Vista
Typically, Sal's landscape is flat and arid. The salt lake at Pedra de Lume and the crater of the extinct volcano is worth a visit. Day trippers can catch a catamaran, or take a 15 minute flight, to visit the nearby island of Boa Vista.
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This lush green island is the second largest in the archipelago. Its lovely mountainous scenery has rugged peaks and deep valleys. Santo Antão is a great place for hikers and their efforts are rewarded with spectacular views ….. but the less energetic won’t miss out, as there are incredible views from the coastal roads that lead to the ravines and gorges. Worth visiting is the village of Fontainhas where the back of the houses have a sheer drop of several hundred metres as the village is perched on the edge of a rock above a deep ribeira.
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São Tiago is the largest and most African of all the Cape Verde islands and the islands’ international airport is located here. This is the most populated island - most of the residents live in the capital, Praia, which is a small and sophisticated town with a rich culture, fine dining, elegant shops and lively nightlife. Live music is at the heart of Praia’s culture and can be heard in bars and restaurants.
15 km from Praia is Cidade Velha an old town with narrow cobbled streets overlooked by a fortress.
The island has a variety of beautiful landscapes; from the mountainous interior with its green valleys and volcanic rock; through rural villages with their lively markets; and out to the palm-fringed sandy beaches.
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With little tourism, São Nicolau is a quiet and peaceful island which remains unspoiled. Reputed to have the most impressive scenery in the archipelago, this mountainous island is a great venue for walking and horse riding.
Its seas are full of Blue Marlin and deep sea fishing trips run from the port at Tarrafal.
The island’s capital, Ribeira Brava, clings to a fertile mountainside and is full of colourfully painted colonial-style houses with lovely gardens.
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São Vicente ….. music, art & culture.
This island is home to Cape Verde’s second largest population and the islands’ second international airport. Most residents live in Mindelo. This lovely town is the heart of Cape Verde culture, with a great nightlife - music can be heard everywhere! The pretty town square is bordered by trees and cafés. By the water is a promenade and marina; and, nearby, is a golf course. Inland there are mountains from which there are great views of Mindelo’s beautiful bay.
Carnival is the most important cultural event, and there is also a large music festival on the beach at Baia das Gatas (a short drive from Mindelo).
São Vicente has some lovely beaches, particularly San Pedro (one of the best places in the world for wind surfing), Salamansa, Baia das Gatas and Calhau. There is a lagoon at Baia das Gatas which is great for swimming – this beach is to the north of the island and can only be reached by 4-wheel drive vehicles.
- wind surfing
- body boarding
- cycling
- horseback riding along the beach
- boat trips to Santo Antão (1 hour)
- nightlife
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some images courtesy of Vitor Oliveira