Key takeaways
Cape Verde is a volcanic Atlantic archipelago of 10 inhabited islands, each with its own character, from the sand dunes of Boa Vista and kite-surfing beaches of Sal to the dramatic peaks of Santo Antao and the colonial music scene of Sao Vicente. Alou (formerly CVMóvel and CV Telecom) dominates mobile coverage, with 4G available on the main islands and 3G across smaller ones. No 5G has been deployed yet. A Roamix Cape Verde eSIM connects you to the strongest local signal the moment you land at Amílcar Cabral International or any island airport. Budget 3 to 5 GB for two weeks across multiple islands.
- Alou is the largest operator with the most consistent 4G coverage across the main tourist islands including Sal and Boa Vista.
- A Roamix eSIM activates on arrival at any of Cape Verde's four international airports and avoids expensive carrier roaming.
- Inter-island travel by ferry or domestic flight is essential, and connectivity helps with scheduling and booking.
- The Cape Verdean Escudo is the currency, but euros are widely accepted on the main tourist islands.
- Wind is a constant force shaping island activities, and Sal and Boa Vista are world-class kite-surfing and windsurfing destinations.
Best way to get data in Cape Verde
For most visitors to Cape Verde, a Roamix eSIM is the most convenient and affordable way to stay connected across multiple islands, landing on the best available local 4G network from the moment you arrive.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Activates on arrival at SID or any island airport, connects to Alou for the best 4G available, and avoids roaming bills with no physical SIM needed. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Long stays needing a local Cape Verdean number | Alou SIMs are available on Sal, Santiago and Sao Vicente with a passport. Affordable data bundles for longer trips. |
| Hotel wifi | Best for: Light data users staying in resorts | Good resort wifi on Sal and Boa Vista is fine for evening browsing, but it stops at the beach gate. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Emergency short stays only | Expensive relative to local data prices. A Roamix plan is almost always significantly better value. |
Wifi is standard in hotels and guesthouses on the main tourist islands. Cafes in Mindelo and Praia offer reasonable wifi. On smaller islands and remote beaches, mobile data is your only option.
How much data you need
Data needs in Cape Verde are moderate. The main tourist islands have serviceable 4G, but multi-island itineraries mean regular offline content preparation, as ferries and remote beaches drop signal.
2 to 3 GB
One island beach holiday on Sal or Boa Vista
Resort navigation, social uploads and daily messaging on a well-covered tourist island.
4 to 6 GB
Two-week multi-island trip
Offline map downloads per island, ferry booking, inter-island navigation and regular photo sharing.
10 GB or more
Remote work stay on Sao Vicente
Video calls, tethering a laptop and cloud uploads alongside exploring Mindelo's music and food scene.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB
- Social media and browsing
- 80 to 120 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Before each ferry crossing or island-hop, download offline maps, your accommodation address and the ferry terminal location for your destination island.
How to set up a Cape Verde eSIM
Install your Roamix Cape Verde eSIM over wifi before departure. It activates automatically on Alou or Unitel T+ on arrival at Amílcar Cabral International on Sal or any of the other island airports.
- 1
Purchase your Roamix Cape Verde plan before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and SMS.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land at SID or any Cape Verde island airport and the eSIM connects automatically.
Works on eSIM-capable devices including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models. The device must be carrier unlocked.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode once.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings, manually select the network and restart the phone.
Visa and entry for Cape Verde
Citizens of most countries need a visa to enter Cape Verde. Pre-arrival visa (EASE) can be obtained online, and the cost is typically EUR 25 or equivalent. Citizens of ECOWAS member states do not require a visa.
- eVisa or ETA
- Cape Verde requires most nationalities to apply for a pre-arrival visa through the EASE system at ease.gov.cv. The fee is EUR 25 and applications should be submitted at least 48 hours before travel. The EASE also collects a tourism fee of EUR 5 per visit.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Cape Verde.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel and accommodation bookings may be requested by border control on arrival.
Keep your EASE visa approval, accommodation confirmations and digital travel documents accessible on your phone via your Roamix eSIM.
Entry requirements may change. Confirm current visa fees and requirements at ease.gov.cv before booking your trip.
When you land in Cape Verde
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How people message here
WhatsApp is the primary messaging platform in Cape Verde, used extensively for personal and business communication. SMS and Facebook Messenger are also commonly used. The diaspora community means WhatsApp international calls are heavily used.
Do you need a local number?
A local number is not essential for most tourist stays. WhatsApp over Roamix data handles tour bookings, inter-island ferry queries and accommodation contact effectively.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication while using the Roamix line for data. WhatsApp video calls to family back home work well on Alou 4G in the main resort areas.
Airports in Cape Verde
SID
Amílcar Cabral International Airport
Sal
Free wifi is available in the main terminal on Sal. Speeds are adequate for messaging and light browsing.
SID is the main international gateway for European flights. Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing to check transfer options to Boa Vista or Santiago, compare taxi prices to Santa Maria resort area and download your first island offline map.
RAI
Nelson Mandela International Airport
Praia
Basic wifi available at Santiago's main international airport. Speeds are variable.
RAI serves the capital Santiago. Use Roamix data to arrange a taxi or aluguer to Praia city centre, check your Cidade Velha plans and confirm ferry or flight schedules to other islands.
BVC
Aristides Pereira International Airport
Boa Vista
Small terminal with limited wifi. Your Roamix eSIM is the most reliable connectivity option here.
BVC serves the resort island of Boa Vista. Have your eSIM active to arrange onward transport to Sal Rei or your resort and check turtle nesting season updates.
VXE
Cesaria Evora Airport
Sao Vicente
Limited wifi at this smaller island airport. Activate your Roamix eSIM for reliable connectivity from arrival.
VXE serves Mindelo on Sao Vicente, the jumping-off point for Santo Antao. Use Roamix data to check ferry schedules to Porto Novo and download the Santo Antao trekking trail offline maps before the short crossing.
Apps and internet access in Cape Verde
Cape Verde has an open internet. All mainstream apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM with no restrictions or censorship.
There are no internet censorship policies in Cape Verde. All messaging, social media and streaming services are freely accessible.
WhatsApp, works
Widely used for messaging and calls across all islands.
FaceTime, works
Works over 4G on the main islands where signal is strong.
Google Maps and Search, works
Available with no restrictions. Download island offline maps before inter-island travel.
Social media, works
Instagram, Facebook and X all work normally.
Getting around Cape Verde
Cape Verde is an island nation where inter-island movement requires domestic flights or ferries. Within islands, shared minibuses (aluguer) and taxis are the main transport. Sal and Boa Vista are flat enough to explore by hire car or bicycle.
Aluguer (shared minibus)
The standard intercity transport on each island, departing when full. Fares are low and fixed by route. Use Roamix data to find departure points and approximate timings.
Inter-island ferry
Armas and other operators run ferry services between main islands. Crossings range from 30 minutes (Sao Vicente to Santo Antao) to several hours (Santiago to Fogo). Book tickets online with Roamix data and download schedules before boarding as crossings are out of signal.
Domestic flights
Cabo Verde Airlines and Binter connect the main islands in 30 to 60 minutes. Book with Roamix data in advance as flights between popular islands can fill during peak season.
Hire car or bicycle
Practical on flat Sal and Boa Vista. Use Roamix data for GPS navigation on island road networks and to find fuel stops on longer routes.
Alugueres (shared minibuses) leave when full rather than on a timetable. Flag them down on the main road and shout your destination. For Sal, hiring a car or quad bike for a day gives access to remote beaches without waiting for shared transport.
Money and payments in Cape Verde
The Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) is the official currency, pegged to the euro. On Sal and Boa Vista, euros are widely accepted in tourist-facing businesses. For local restaurants, markets and transport on other islands, CVE is needed.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted at hotels, most restaurants and tourist businesses on the main islands. Local eateries, markets and transport require CVE cash. Carry a reasonable amount when travelling to less-touristy islands.
- ATMs
- ATMs are available on Sal, Santiago, Sao Vicente and Boa Vista. They dispense CVE and are generally reliable. Smaller islands like Fogo and Brava have very few ATMs, so carry enough cash before travelling there.
- Payment apps
- International contactless payments work in major tourist businesses. Local mobile money services are used by residents but not practical for short-stay visitors.
- Tipping
- Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. A EUR 1 to 2 tip for restaurant service, or rounding up a taxi fare, is welcomed. For dive instructors and surf guides, EUR 5 to 10 is customary for a good session.
Daily budget
Budget travellers can manage on EUR 40 to 60 per day on Sal or Boa Vista in a guesthouse. Mid-range trips including a hotel, meals and activities run EUR 80 to 130 per day.
Local tips for Cape Verde
- Language
- Portuguese is the official language and used in government, business and formal contexts. Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu) is the national everyday language and varies between islands. On Sal and Boa Vista, English and Italian are widely spoken in tourist areas. Spanish is also useful.
- Food
- Cape Verdean cuisine centres on catchupa, a slow-cooked stew of corn, beans and meat or fish that varies by island, alongside fresh grilled seafood, especially tuna and barracuda. Grogue (local rum) and ponche are the local spirits. Mindelo on Sao Vicente has the best restaurant scene.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type B and F plugs
Apps worth having
WhatsApp
communication
The essential communication tool in Cape Verde for everything from hotel contact to arranging ferry pick-ups on arrival.
Maps.me
navigation
Offline island maps covering Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago and Santo Antao trekking trails, essential for remote beaches and mountain routes without signal.
Cabo Verde Airlines app
transport
Check and manage domestic flight bookings between islands and receive schedule updates when inter-island connections change.
Safety and health in Cape Verde
Cape Verde is one of the safest countries in Africa and highly rated for solo travel and families. Petty theft around busy tourist beaches (especially at Santa Maria on Sal) is the main concern. Ocean conditions can be hazardous, with strong currents at many beaches, and riptides are a genuine risk. Always swim at lifeguarded beaches.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to check sea conditions and beach safety warnings before swimming, monitor weather forecasts during the windiest months and contact emergency services or your hotel if needed on a remote beach.
- Health
- Cape Verde has no major tropical disease risk beyond occasional dengue fever. Tap water quality varies; bottled water is recommended on all islands. Medical facilities are adequate on Sal and Santiago but limited on smaller islands.
- Tap water
- Tap water is drinkable on Sal and Boa Vista in tourist areas, but bottled water is recommended throughout for sensitive travellers. On smaller islands, always use bottled water.
Networks and coverage in Cape Verde
Cape Verde's mobile market is led by Alou, formed from the merger of CVMóvel and CV Telecom, which operates the most extensive 4G LTE network across the archipelago. Unitel T+ is the second operator with competitive pricing, especially for data bundles. Coverage is strongest on the main tourist islands of Sal, Santiago and Boa Vista. Smaller islands like Fogo, Brava and Maio have 3G or limited coverage. No 5G has been deployed. A Roamix Cape Verde eSIM connects to the best local signal on arrival.
Alou
The dominant operator, formed from CVMóvel and CV Telecom, with 4G LTE on all main tourist islands including Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago and Sao Vicente. The widest overall island coverage.
Unitel T+
Second operator with 4G on main islands and growing coverage. Offers competitive data bundle pricing and a reasonable alternative on Sal, Santiago and Sao Vicente.
- Typical speeds
- 4G on Sal and Santiago averages 8 to 20 Mbps download. Smaller island 3G averages 2 to 5 Mbps.
- 5G
- 5G is not deployed in Cape Verde. 4G LTE is the peak technology available.
Alou gives the most consistent 4G experience on Sal and Boa Vista. On Sao Vicente and Santo Antao, Alou and Unitel T+ both offer workable 4G in the main towns, though rural mountain routes drop to 3G quickly.
The smaller islands of Brava, Maio, Sao Nicolau and Santa Luzia have limited 3G coverage and few or no 4G signals. Inter-island ferries are out of signal range for much of their crossings. Always download maps and bookings before island hopping. Cape Verdean networks use standard LTE bands compatible with most modern unlocked smartphones including iPhone XS and newer and recent Android devices.
Where to go in Cape Verde
Cape Verde's 10 inhabited islands span two groups: the flat, sandy Barlavento (Windward) islands including Sal, Boa Vista and Sao Vicente, and the more rugged Sotavento (Leeward) islands including Santiago, Fogo and Santo Antao. Each island has a distinct personality, and multi-island itineraries reward those willing to navigate the inter-island ferry and flight network. A Roamix eSIM keeps ferry bookings, navigation and communication running throughout.
Best time to visit
November to June is the most popular time, with dry, warm and consistently windy conditions ideal for water sports. July to October is hotter and more humid, with occasional rain on the higher islands. Trade winds blow year-round on Sal and Boa Vista.
Sal and Santa Maria
The main tourist gateway island, with Amílcar Cabral International Airport and the resort town of Santa Maria on a bay of turquoise water and white sand. World-class kite-surfing, diving, salt lakes and whale watching define the Sal experience.
- Santa Maria Beach
- Pedra de Lume Salt Lake
- Shark Bay
- Buracona Blue Eye
- Ponta Sino
Best 4G coverage in the country at Santa Maria and the airport area. Alou delivers reliable LTE across most of the flat island. Remote beaches and the salt flats area can be patchy.
Boa Vista
The flattest and most Saharan of the islands, with vast sand dunes at Viana Desert, long empty beaches and nesting loggerhead sea turtles. Sal Rei is the main town and the island is increasingly popular with European package tourists.
- Viana Desert Dunes
- Praia de Santa Monica
- Curral Velho ghost village
- Turtle nesting beaches
- Sal Rei harbour
Alou 4G covers Sal Rei and the main resort zones. Remote beaches and dune areas have limited signal. Download offline maps before exploring the interior.
Santiago and Praia
The largest island and home to the capital Praia, where Cape Verdean culture is most intense. Cidade Velha, the first European settlement in the tropics, is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The interior rises to mountains and valleys with local agriculture.
- Cidade Velha
- Praia Plateau Market
- Serra Malagueta Natural Park
- Tarrafal Beach
- Rui Vaz Waterfalls
Strong Alou and Unitel T+ 4G in Praia and along main roads. Interior valleys and remote hilltop villages drop to 3G. Cidade Velha has reasonable signal.
Sao Vicente and Santo Antao
Sao Vicente and its capital Mindelo are the cultural capital of Cape Verde, home to morna music and the famous carnival. A short ferry ride away, Santo Antao offers dramatic ribeira canyons, lush valleys and the best trekking in the archipelago.
- Mindelo Carnival
- Ribeira Grande valley Santo Antao
- Pico da Cruz
- Porto Novo
- Alto Mira viewpoint
Alou and Unitel T+ both provide 4G in Mindelo. Santo Antao has 4G in Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande but mountain ribeira tracks lose signal quickly. Download offline trekking maps before the ferry.
Fogo and Brava
Fogo is dominated by its active volcano, Pico do Fogo (2,829 metres), rising from coffee and vine plantations in the caldera village of Cha das Caldeiras. Brava, the smallest inhabited island, is green, cloud-shrouded and rarely visited.
- Pico do Fogo volcano
- Cha das Caldeiras caldera village
- Sao Filipe colonial town
- Mosteiros lava coastline
- Nova Sintra Brava
Alou 3G to 4G in Sao Filipe on Fogo. Inside the caldera at Cha das Caldeiras, signal is minimal. Brava has limited 3G only. Download all maps and hiking information before travelling to these islands.
Off the beaten path
A stunning expanse of golden Saharan sand dunes in the centre of Boa Vista, one of the few places in the Atlantic where you can walk among true desert dunes overlooking the ocean.
Signal: No signal in the interior dune fields. Alou 4G is available in Sal Rei, 20 km away. Download your desert navigation offline map before the excursion.
The most spectacular hiking in the archipelago, following ancient cobbled levada paths through canyon valleys of banana groves, sugar cane, coffee and the most dramatic green scenery in Cape Verde.
Signal: Limited to no signal in the deep ribeira valleys. Alou covers Porto Novo and Ribeira Grande town. Download all trekking maps before the ferry from Mindelo.
The first European city established in the tropics and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with a 16th-century Portuguese fortress, cathedral ruins, the Pillory Square and a living community of enormous historic significance.
Signal: Alou 4G is available in Cidade Velha, 15 km from Praia on the southern coast of Santiago.
Cape Verde's highest peak at 2,829 metres and an active volcano whose 2014 eruption destroyed most of the caldera village. Guided summit hikes, caldera coffee and wine tasting and extraordinary lunar landscapes make this the most dramatic island experience in the archipelago.
Signal: No signal inside the Cha das Caldeiras caldera. Alou 3G available in Sao Filipe. Download all hiking maps and the route to the caldera in Sao Filipe before the drive.
A natural volcanic rock pool on the Sal coastline where, at the right time of morning, sunlight refracts through an underwater cave entrance to create a vivid blue glow, an iconic and popular natural spectacle.
Signal: Alou 4G available at Buracona, on the northwest coast of Sal. Good signal for social media sharing at the site.
A volcanic crater salt lake on Sal where you can float effortlessly in hyper-saline water, much like the Dead Sea, and follow a salt spa experience in the historic salt production infrastructure.
Signal: Alou 4G is strong across Sal island, including the salt lake crater area in the island's interior.
Considered the best carnival in Africa outside Rio-influenced celebrations, Mindelo's Mardi Gras draws Cape Verdeans from the diaspora worldwide for elaborate costumed parades, morna and batuku music and a genuinely electric atmosphere.
Signal: Alou and Unitel T+ 4G are strong throughout Mindelo. Carnival parade routes are well-covered for sharing content live.
One of the world's premier kite-surfing destinations, where consistent trade winds and a flat-water lagoon at Santa Maria Bay combine with a mature school and rental infrastructure to attract riders of all levels from November to June.
Signal: Alou 4G is reliable along the Santa Maria beachfront and the dedicated kite beach at the northern end of the bay.
The best beach on Santiago, a sheltered bay of calm turquoise water backed by a small village, with a fraction of the crowds found on Sal or Boa Vista and an authentic Cape Verdean seaside atmosphere.
Signal: Alou 3G to 4G in Tarrafal town, about 60 km north of Praia along the western coast of Santiago.
The jagged black lava coastline of northern Fogo, where streams of hardened volcanic rock meet the Atlantic in dramatic formations, with few tourists and exceptional snorkelling in the clear water between the lava flows.
Signal: Alou 3G available in Mosteiros village on the north coast of Fogo. Download route maps in Sao Filipe before the drive around the island.
Events and seasons in Cape Verde
February to March (Mardi Gras)
Mindelo Carnival
Mindelo, Sao Vicente
The premier carnival in the Atlantic islands of Africa, with lavish costumed samba-influenced parades, traditional morna music floats and days of street parties drawing the Cape Verdean diaspora home from Europe and North America.
April
Atlantic Music Expo
Praia, Santiago
A music conference and showcase event in Praia promoting Cape Verdean and Atlantic music globally, with panel discussions, networking and evening concerts featuring morna, funaná and batuku artists.
May
Queima das Fitas, Praia
Praia, Santiago
Cape Verde's university graduation celebrations, centred on the burning of the ribbons tradition, with parades, concerts and student festivities filling the streets of Praia for several days.
June to October
Turtle Nesting Season, Boa Vista
Boa Vista beaches
Boa Vista hosts one of the most important loggerhead sea turtle nesting sites in the Atlantic, with hundreds of turtles coming ashore at night to lay eggs. Tamar-managed and supervised nesting walks are available from June to September.
June 23 to 24
Sao Joao Festival, Fogo
Sao Filipe, Fogo
The feast of Saint John celebrated with bonfires, traditional music, local food stalls and street processions throughout the town of Sao Filipe, the most important annual celebration on Fogo Island.
July
Pro Windsurf Cabo Verde
Santa Maria, Sal
A professional windsurfing and kite-surfing competition held at Santa Maria Bay on Sal, one of the world's most consistent wind venues, attracting top-ranked international competitors and a beach crowd of spectators.
July 5
Cape Verde Independence Day
Nationwide
National Day marking Cape Verde's independence from Portugal in 1975, with military parades in Praia, cultural events on all islands and a public holiday when transport and services are reduced.
August (full moon weekend)
Baía das Gatas Music Festival
Baia das Gatas, Sao Vicente
Cape Verde's largest outdoor music festival, held over three days at a beautiful beach bay on Sao Vicente during the August full moon, featuring Cape Verdean artists alongside international performers and drawing crowds of 20,000 or more.
August
Boa Vista Beach Football Tournament
Sal Rei, Boa Vista
A popular beach football tournament on Boa Vista drawing local and inter-island teams to Sal Rei's beachfront, with spectator crowds and evening celebrations that give visitors a glimpse of authentic local island culture.
November
Festival Morna, Sao Vicente
Mindelo, Sao Vicente
A festival celebrating morna, the UNESCO-recognised Cape Verdean musical genre of longing and melancholy, with performances by leading morna artists in the birthplace of Cesária Évora in Mindelo.
Through the year
- Spring
- March to May is excellent for travel, with low tourist numbers after the peak winter season, warm temperatures, clear skies and strong kite and surf conditions continuing into April. Cape Verdean Carnival falls in late February to early March.
- Summer
- June to August is warm and increasingly humid on the lower islands. Turtle nesting season peaks on Boa Vista and this is a popular domestic holiday period. Kite and wind conditions are moderate, with sea swells on the Atlantic-facing coasts.
- Fall
- September to October brings the highest chance of rain, particularly on the mountainous islands of Santo Antao, Fogo and Santiago. The Baía das Gatas festival in August draws into this shoulder period. Tourist numbers are lower and prices improve.
- Winter
- November to February is Cape Verde's peak tourism season, with dry, breezy conditions, pleasant temperatures of 22 to 26 degrees Celsius and the most consistent kite and windsurf conditions on Sal and Boa Vista.
Working remotely from Cape Verde
Mindelo on Sao Vicente is the most attractive remote work base in Cape Verde, with cafe culture, a music scene and reasonable 4G. Praia and Santa Maria on Sal also have growing coworking options. The relaxed pace, warm climate and European time zone make the archipelago appealing for long-stay workers.
- Connection
- Alou 4G handles video calls in Mindelo and the main resort towns. A Roamix plan with 10 GB or more suits a working week of calls and cloud uploads. Wind and the outdoors may compete for your attention.
Mindelo has the most reliable cafe wifi in the archipelago. Use your Roamix eSIM as a backup for sensitive work and when cafe networks are congested.
