Cabo Verde

Last checked: October 2026

Cabo Verde, also written Cape Verde, is a group of ten volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of West Africa. Most visitors fly to Sal or Boa Vista for beaches, or to Santiago and São Vicente for culture, hiking and music. All visitors, including those who don’t need a visa, must register online on the official EASE portal at least five days before they arrive.

Safety note: the US State Department rates Cabo Verde Level 1, “Exercise normal precautions”, and increased caution applies in Praia because of crime. Canada advises a high degree of caution because of crime, and the UK government warns that sea conditions can be dangerous. Read the US advisory and the UK travel advice before you go.

Top Islands in Cabo Verde

The islands are very different from each other. Honestly, the biggest decision is which one to pick, and most trips use only two or three. Our guide to the best places to visit in Cabo Verde covers each one in more detail.

• Sal: the main beach island, with the long white beach at Santa Maria and the Pedra de Lume salt crater. It’s also known for kitesurfing and windsurfing.
• Boa Vista: flat, sandy and quiet, with dunes, long beaches and loggerhead turtle nesting in summer.
• Santiago: the largest island, home to the capital Praia and the UNESCO-listed Cidade Velha.
• São Vicente: the cultural centre, with Mindelo’s music scene and Carnival, plus the ferry to Santo Antão.
• Santo Antão: green mountains and deep valleys, and some of the best hiking in the archipelago.
• Fogo: a volcanic island dominated by Pico do Fogo, which last erupted in 2014.

Which Island Should You Choose?

• Choose Sal or Boa Vista if you want beaches, resorts and direct flights from Europe.
• Choose Santiago if you want history, markets and local life.
• Choose São Vicente and Santo Antão if you want music and hiking.
• Choose Fogo if you want a volcano climb and wine villages in the crater.

Heritage and Culture

Cabo Verde has one UNESCO World Heritage site, Cidade Velha, the Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande on Santiago. UNESCO listed it in 2009. It was the first European colonial outpost in the tropics, and it played a major part in the Atlantic slave trade.

Portuguese is the official language, and Cape Verdean Creole is spoken by most people. Music is central to the culture. Mindelo is known for morna, the slow, emotional style made famous by Cesária Évora, and for its Carnival in February or March.

When to Go

The dry season, from November to June, is the most popular time, with warm weather and steady trade winds. The rainy season runs from about August to October, with short, heavy showers and higher humidity, and it turns the mountains green. Turtle nesting on Boa Vista and Sal peaks in the middle of that period. Our best time to visit Cabo Verde guide has a month-by-month breakdown.

Visa and Entry Basics

Entry rules changed in 2026. Citizens of about 67 countries can enter visa-free for stays of 30 to 180 days, depending on nationality, according to the government’s published list. Citizens of 96 other countries can no longer get a visa on arrival and must obtain a visa before they travel, because visa on arrival was suspended from 1 January 2026.

Everyone must also complete the EASE registration and pay the airport security tax. The UK government says travellers who skip it will pay double at the border from 1 July 2026. Read our Cabo Verde visa guide for tourists for the full rules.

Getting Around

Most islands are small, but the sea between them matters. Inter-island flights take roughly 25 to 60 minutes, and ferries connect São Vicente with Santo Antão in about an hour. Santo Antão and Brava can only be reached by sea, and ferries to Fogo and Brava are often disrupted by rough weather.

For international and inter-island flights, see our guide to flights to Cabo Verde. If you’re deciding how many islands to fit in, our Cabo Verde itineraries show realistic travel times.

Food to Try

Cachupa is the national dish, a slow-cooked stew of corn and beans, often with fish or meat. Fresh tuna and other seafood are common on every island. Grogue is the local sugarcane spirit, and it’s sold in small shops and bars. Fish is easy to find, so vegetarians may need to ask about ingredients.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Skipping the EASE registration and paying a higher fee at the border.
• Assuming you can fly to every island. Santo Antão and Brava have no airport.
• Booking a tight ferry connection. Weather can cancel crossings.
• Packing only for sun. Mountains and mornings can feel cool and windy.

Plan Your Cabo Verde Trip

• Cabo Verde visa guide: EASE, visa-free countries and passport rules.
• Best places to visit in Cabo Verde: beaches, volcanoes, hikes and history.
• Best time to visit Cabo Verde: weather and events by month.
• Cabo Verde itineraries: plans for 3, 5, 7 and 10 days.
• Where to stay in Cabo Verde: the best areas on each island.
• Flights to Cabo Verde: airports, inter-island flights and ferries.

For official information on entry, see the Cabo Verde government’s visa-exempt countries page and the EASE portal.