Cape Verde - The Facts

Food/Drink

The Italians visited Cape Verde many years ago and have left their influence in the form of many good restaurants offering pizza & pasta and fine wine throughout the tourist areas. The local restaurants offer mainly fresh fish, shell fish and a selection of Cape Verdian traditional dishes. In the last few years many new bars and restaurants have been established giving these islands a truly international favour. Finally if you are brave you can sample the local strong rum called 'grog' which is distilled in the mountains but be careful not to drink too much.

Weather

The weather in Cape Verde is described as 'dry tropical with low humidity' and receives a constant breeze from the trade winds. Average air temperatures vary from a mild 23 degrees in the winter to 29 degrees in the summer which is 3 degrees warmer than the Canaries. It has sunshine levels of 10-12 hours a day in the dry season and 7-8 hours in the short wet season. Rain is rare in the tourist areas and it mainly falls briefly in the early autumn months.

Health

No vaccinations are required to travel to Cape Verde but there is a very limited risk of Malaria on Santiago in the early autumn. Public medical facilities are being upgraded and new hospitals and clinics are being constructed in the tourist areas. Although health care is free the new facilities will cover visitors with health insurance.

Money

The Cape Verde Escudo (cve) is tied to the Euro at cve 110.265 = 1 Euro. There are 'bureau de changes' at the airport, in the main towns, hotels and banks. There are also 'atms' at the airport and at the banks in all tourist towns. Major credit cards are beginning to be widely accepted throughout the Islands. Investors are advised to open a bank account in Cape Verde in order to reduce delays when transferring money from home. This is easily achieved as many banks have English speaking staff.

Culture

Cape Verde's population is mainly a mix of African and Portugese and this has resulted in a vibrant Creole culture similar to that in Brazil. Music is important to the local people, the songs of hardship, love and life in the sun can be heard late into the night around the bars and restaurants where people gather. The main language is Portugese but the local 'creole' is spoken by many, however in tourist areas if you speak italian, Spanish and increasingly English you will be understood.

Activities

These sun kissed islands are surrounded by a warm blue sea cooled by a constant breeze. This all adds up to a tropical location that is perfect for water sports.Cape Verde is an excellent venue for windsurfing, kitesurfing and surfing due to the nature of its wind and waves. Scuba diving is extremely popular due to the great underwater visibility, coral reefs and numerous wrecks that litter the coastline. Bluewater fishing is world class with regular catches of Wahoo, Tuna, Sailfish and Marlin being recorded in the crystal clear waters around the islands. If these activities are not for you then try a gentle walk along the beach and across the sand dunes keeping an eye out to sea to spot passing whales, dolphins and turtles. You could also try hiking or cycling in the mountains enjoying the scenery in the lush green valleys and breathtaking views above the clouds. For a destination with a difference visit Cape Verde today.