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Destination: Cape Verde (Cabo Verde), a country of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, ~570 km off the coast of Senegal (West Africa). Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), pegged to the Euro. Capital: Praia (Santiago island). Language: Portuguese (official) and Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu). Main islands: Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista, São Vicente, Santo Antão, Fogo. Popular both for beach holidays (Sal, Boa Vista) and for relocation / remote work.
Entry: visa-free for many nationalities for short tourist stays — always verify for your passport. Cape Verde is also a relocation destination: for a longer stay research the long-stay / remote-work (digital nomad) permit. Bring a passport valid 6+ months and a return/onward ticket.
Climate: warm and dry year-round (~24–30°C) with constant trade winds. The short rainy season is roughly August–October. Winter (December–February) can bring the Harmattan — dry, dusty Saharan winds. Tropical storms are possible in the season (schools may close, as during storm Gonzalo). Best time: October–June for beaches and hiking.
Islands: Sal — flat, beaches and resorts (Santa Maria), the main tourist airport. Boa Vista — dunes and wide beaches. Santiago — the largest island, capital Praia, culture and mountains. São Vicente — Mindelo, music and carnival. Santo Antão — dramatic hiking trails. Fogo — an active volcano (Pico do Fogo). Most visitors combine Sal/Boa Vista beaches with Santiago culture.
Getting around: inter-island travel is by domestic flights or ferries (flights are faster and more reliable). On the islands, shared minibuses/taxis ("aluguer") run between towns; car rental is available. Roads on Santiago can be rough — budget extra time.
Cost of living: cheaper than most of Europe but pricier than mainland West Africa. Imported goods are expensive; local produce (fish, fruit) and grogue (sugar-cane spirit) are cheap. Many relocants find it an affordable warm base, but electricity and water add costs (see Practical). Verify current prices.
Practical: infrastructure can be patchy — power outages happen, and much of Praia's water is delivered by truck into rooftop tanks (network leakage is high). Tap water is not always reliable — drink bottled or filtered. Sargassum seaweed can wash up on some beaches seasonally (e.g. Tarrafal on Santiago).
What to do: hike Pico do Fogo volcano, trek the valleys of Santo Antão, wander Mindelo (São Vicente) and its carnival, relax on Sal's Santa Maria beach, visit the historic Cidade Velha (UNESCO) on Santiago, and try grogue and fresh tuna.
Money: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), pegged to the Euro (~110 CVE per EUR). Cards work in hotels, restaurants and bigger shops; carry cash for markets and small shops. ATMs are common in towns.
Relocation: Cape Verde has a small but growing expat and digital-nomad community, mainly on Santiago and São Vicente. There is a French school in Praia and Russian-speaking communities. Property is popular with buyers seeking residency. Research visa/residency rules carefully before committing.
Mobile: two operators — CV Movel and Unitel T+. Buy a local SIM in Praia or Sal. Internet is adequate in towns but can be slower on smaller islands; many relocants rely on mobile data.