Cape Verde

Cabo Verde: guia de viagem e férias nas ilhas

All-inclusive holidays on Sal Island, with direct flights from Lisbon and Porto and sunshine almost every day of the year.

Four hours' flight, one hour behind Lisbon and white sand right outside the hotel. Sal Island is the easiest gateway to Cape Verde — and the easiest to turn into a carefree week.

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Trips

Trips to Cape Verde

Climate and seasons

Best time to visit Cape Verde

Sunshine and little rain all year round. The difference is in the wind and the water temperature.

When do you want to go?

Dry, windy seasonHot seasonVerão das tartarugas

What you will see

  • Guaranteed sun
  • Kitesurfing
  • Beach
Temperature22 °C – 27 °C

Clear skies, sunshine every day and constant wind: the best time to escape winter and for kitesurfing. The water is between 21 °C and 23 °C.

Sal Island is one of the driest in the archipelago: even between August and October, showers are short.

Before you go

Practical information for travelling to Cape Verde

Where to stay on Sal Island

We stay in Santa Maria, in the south of the island, where you will find the best beach, restaurants and nightlife. We work with beachfront all-inclusive resorts, such as the Oásis Atlântico Belorizonte and RIU hotels, so you only need to think about the beach.

How to get around the island

Transfers between the airport and the hotel are included. On the island, get around by taxi, by hire vehicle (jeep or quad bike) or on organised excursions, which include transport.

Documents for travelling to Cape Verde

A passport valid for your entire stay, EASE pre-registration and payment of the Airport Security Tax. Portuguese and EU citizens do not need a visa for up to 30 days. We handle the EASE pre-registration for you.

Money in Cape Verde

The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro. On Sal Island euros and cards are accepted almost everywhere, but change is often given in escudos.

Health and vaccinations

There are no mandatory vaccinations for travellers from Portugal. Bring high-factor sunscreen, drink bottled water and see your doctor or a travel health clinic if in doubt.

Vacinas e saúde para viajar para Cabo Verde

Não há vacinas obrigatórias para quem vai de Portugal. Cabo Verde foi declarado livre de malária pela OMS em 2024. Use repelente e proteção solar alta.

Moeda de Cabo Verde: o escudo

O escudo cabo-verdiano tem câmbio fixo: 1 € = 110,265 CVE. No Sal e na Boa Vista o euro é muito aceite; nas outras ilhas leve escudos. Há multibancos nas cidades.

A trip to Cape Verde is the easiest way to swap a European winter for guaranteed sunshine: under 4 hours' non-stop flight from Lisbon or Porto, white sand beaches, warm water and all-inclusive hotels on Sal Island. In this guide we explain what to see, the best time to go, how much it costs, which documents you need and how our Cape Verde holiday package works.

Why take a holiday in Cape Verde

Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands in the Atlantic, off Senegal, with a culture and language close to Portugal's: Portuguese and Creole are spoken, and the famous morabeza (Cape Verdean hospitality) makes you feel at home. Departing from Portugal, it has three advantages that are hard to beat:

  • Close: about 4 hours' non-stop flight.
  • Sunshine almost all year: it rarely rains and temperatures range between 22 °C and 30 °C.
  • Hassle-free holidays: Sal Island has beachfront all-inclusive resorts, ideal for couples, families and groups of friends.

All-inclusive Cape Verde holidays: our package

Our offer is the all-inclusive Sal Island holiday: 8 days in Santa Maria, from €850 per person. It includes:

  • non-stop return flight Lisbon or Porto – Sal Island;
  • 7 nights in a beach hotel on an all-inclusive basis;
  • airport – hotel – airport transfers;
  • 24-hour assistance;
  • EASE pre-registration handled by us.

Travel insurance and optional excursions are not included. If you prefer another hotel or other dates, get in touch: we will prepare a tailor-made quote.

What to see on Sal Island

Sal Island is flat, desert-like and small: you can drive round it by jeep in half a day. These are the places not to miss:

  1. Santa Maria beach: 8 km of white sand and turquoise water, with the fishermen's pier, where freshly caught fish is sold late in the morning.
  2. Pedra de Lume salt pans: inside the crater of an extinct volcano, the water is so salty that you float effortlessly.
  3. Buracona and the Blue Eye: natural pools in volcanic rock; around midday, the sun lights up the "blue eye" inside a cave.
  4. Shark Bay (Baía da Parda): in knee-deep water, you see small lemon sharks swimming around you. They are harmless.
  5. Kite Beach and Ponta Preta: a paradise for kitesurfing and windsurfing, with world championships.
  6. Palmeira and Espargos: the fishing village and the island's capital, to see everyday Cape Verdean life.
  7. Sea turtles: from July to October turtles come ashore to nest; there are guided night outings with conservation projects.

For detailed itineraries, excursion prices and tips, read our complete guide to Sal Island.

Best time to visit Cape Verde

You can go to Cape Verde in any month: it rarely rains and it is warm all year. The choice depends on what you are looking for:

  • From November to June: sun, clear skies and constant wind. The best time to escape winter and for kitesurfing. The water is between 21 °C and 23 °C.
  • From July to October: the hottest months, with water at 25–27 °C and calmer seas. Short showers can fall between August and October. It is turtle season.

How much does a trip to Cape Verde cost?

A week's holiday on Sal Island with flight and all-inclusive hotel usually costs between €750 and €1,500 per person, depending on the hotel and season. Christmas, New Year, Carnival, Easter and August are the most expensive weeks. With our package, from €850, what you pay separately is excursions (usually between €30 and €70 each), shopping and travel insurance.

Flights to Cape Verde and time zone

  • Flight time: about 4 hours from Lisbon to Sal Island, non-stop. There are also direct flights from Porto.
  • Time zone: Cape Verde is 1 hour behind Portugal in winter and 2 hours behind in summer.
  • Airport: Amílcar Cabral International Airport, in Espargos, about 20 minutes from Santa Maria.

Cape Verde visa, EASE pre-registration and airport tax

Portuguese and European Union citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days; check the rules for your nationality. You only need:

  • a passport valid for your entire stay;
  • online pre-registration on the EASE platform, at least 5 days before travelling;
  • payment of the Airport Security Tax (TSA), made during pre-registration.

With our packages we handle the EASE pre-registration for you. Always check the latest rules before you travel.

Is Sal Island dangerous?

No. Sal Island is a peaceful destination used to tourism. As in any tourist area, take the usual precautions: do not leave valuables on the beach, avoid isolated beaches at night and use official taxis. In Santa Maria there are restaurants, bars and nightlife.

Other Cape Verde islands

Of the 10 islands, 9 are inhabited and each is different: Boa Vista has dunes and huge beaches; Santiago has the capital, Praia, and Cidade Velha, a UNESCO World Heritage Site; São Vicente is the island of music, with Mindelo; Santo Antão is a paradise for mountain hiking; and Fogo has an active volcano and wine produced in the crater. For a first trip to Cape Verde with beach and relaxation, Sal Island is the easiest choice.

Frequently asked questions about travelling to Cape Verde

How long is the flight from Lisbon to Cape Verde?

About 4 hours non-stop from Lisbon to Sal Island.

Do you need a visa for Cape Verde?

No, for Portuguese and EU citizens on tourist stays of up to 30 days. EASE pre-registration and payment of the airport security tax are mandatory.

When is the best time to visit Cape Verde?

From November to June to escape winter with sun and wind; from July to October for warmer water and calmer seas.

What currency is used in Cape Verde?

The Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro (about 110 escudos to €1). On Sal Island euros and cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Which is the best Cape Verde island for a holiday?

For beach and all-inclusive hotels, Sal or Boa Vista. For nature and hiking, Santo Antão. For culture and music, São Vicente.

How much does an all-inclusive week in Cape Verde cost?

Between €750 and €1,500 per person with flights. Our 8-day Sal Island package starts at €850.

Book your Cape Verde holiday

See the programme, dates and hotels of the all-inclusive Sal Island holiday or contact us on +351 937 045 579 or info@vamosfugir.pt.