Sub Saharan Africa

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Avoid all but essential travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all but essential travel to whole country

Avoid all travel to part(s) of country

Avoid all travel to whole country

• Travel Summary
• Safety and security
• Local laws and customs
• Entry requirements

• Health
• Natural disasters
• General
 

• There is no formal British representation in Cape Verde.  In case of an emergency you should contact the British Embassy in Dakar, Senegal (see Contacts). There is a British Honorary Consul in Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island but this should be used for consular emergencies only. See General - Consular assistance.
  
  
• There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
  
  
• Most visits to Cape Verde are trouble-free. The main type of incident for which British nationals normally require consular assistance in Cape Verde is for petty crime. See Safety and Security - Crime.
  
  
• You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. See General - Insurance.

Safety and Security - Terrorism

There is a low threat from terrorism. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be in public areas, including those frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.  

Safety and Security - Crime

Crime rates in Cape Verde are low. But we have seen an increase in reported   incidents of muggings and burglaries  affecting British nationals (including on the main tourist islands of Sal and Boavista).  You should avoid carrying valuables in public, avoid unlit areas after dark  and remain vigilant at all times. For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.  

If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime in Cape Verde, contact the local police. The local equivalent to the “999” emergency line in Cape Verde is: 132 (police) and 131 (fire). But you should be aware that response times vary and that service standards may not be as robust as in the UK.  

Safety and Security - Road Travel

Traffic is usually light and road conditions and driving standards are generally of a reasonable quality. 

The rainy season in Cape Verde is from mid August to mid October. Torrential rains can cause floods and landslides. You should monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.

See our Driving Abroad page. 

Safety and Security - Sea Travel  

Sea conditions around Cape Verde are sometimes treacherous. Mariners should take local advice. Travel by sea to the southern islands of Fogo and Brava in particular can be significantly disrupted.

See our River and Sea Safety page.

Safety and Security - Political Situation

The political situation is stable.

Cape Verde Country Profile 

For more general information for different types of travellers see our Your trip page.

Entry Requirements - Visas

British nationals require a visa to enter Cape Verde.

British passport holders travelling to Cape Verde can for a fee (cash notes), obtain a visa, valid for 30 days, for entry into Cape Verde from customs on landing at any of the international airports in Cape Verde (Sal, Boa vista, Praia or S. Vicente).

For those travelling via Senegal there is a Cape Verde Embassy in Dakar. Specialist travel agents dealing with Cape Verde can also arrange visas.

There is no Cape Verde Embassy in the UK. The UK  is covered from the Cape Verde Embassy in Brussels. The address is: Ambassade du Cap-Vert, Avenue Jeanne 29, 1050 Bruxelles, tel +32 2 64 36 270; fax 32 2 64 63 385, email: emb.caboverde@skynet.be.

Entry Requirements - Passport Validity
You must hold a valid passport to enter Cape Verde. Your passport must be valid for a minimum period of six months from the date of entry into Cape Verde.

Medical facilities in Cape Verde are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The country’s largest hospitals are in Praia and Mindelo, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are very limited on Boavista, one of the main destinations for UK tourists.  The islands of Brava and Santo Antão no longer have functioning airports, so air evacuation in the event of a medical emergency is nearly impossible from these two islands.

You should exercise normal precautions to avoid exposure to HIV/AIDS. See our HIV and AIDS page.

Reports indicate that the Dengue epidemic is under control. The last case recorded was in November 2010.

Seek medical advice before travelling to Cape Verde and ensure that all appropriate vaccinations are up-to-date.  For further information on vaccination requirements, health outbreaks and general disease protection and prevention visit the websites of the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) and NHS Scotland’s Fit for Travel or call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47.

See our Travel Health page.

Natural Disasters - Hurricanes

The rainy season in Cape Verde runs from August to October. Hurricances can develop in this time.

Although hurricanes often begin their formation in the waters around the Cape Verde Islands, they rarely reach hurricane strength close to the Islands. A typical Cape Verde-type hurricane develops in the area south of the islands following a tropical wave from mainland Africa (during the rainy season usually between August and October). You should monitor local and international weather updates from the US National Hurricane Center.

General - Insurance

You should take out comprehensive medical and travel insurance before travelling.  This should include cover for medical treatment and evacuation, cancelled flights,. Check for any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for all the activities you want to undertake. See our Travel Insurance page.

If things do go wrong when you are overseas then see our When Things Go Wrong page.

General - Registration

Register with our LOCATE service to tell us when and where you are travelling abroad or where you live abroad so our consular and crisis staff can provide better assistance to you in an emergency.

General - Consular assistance

There is no British Embassy in Cape Verde. The British Ambassador to Cape Verde resides in Dakar. Mr Antonio Canuto, the British Honorary Consul in Mindelo, Sao Vicente island, can provide limited assistance in an emergency; (tel: +238 2322830), or ask for Mr Canuto's assistant, Isabel Spencer (tel: (238) 2323512/2323123.

General - Money

The Cape Verde Escudo is tied to the Euro at CV Esc 110.265 = 1 Euro. Banks will exchange hard currencies. Main hotels and restaurants will accept Visa credit cards.