Cape Verde2023-10-26T13:22:14+02:00
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Travel tips for Cape Verde

Top 5 experiences

Each of Cape Verde’s 9 inhabited islands has its own character: from sea and beaches to mountains and green valleys or towns steeped in tradition and Cape Verde an warmth. Highlights include:

North Islands

The so-called „above the wind“ islands include the inhabited islands of Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, as well as Sal and Boavista. Santo Antão captivates with its impressive landscape, São Vicente is the cultural centre of Cape Verde, São Nicolau offers pure nature and Sal and Boavista stand for beach, sand and sun.

South Islands

„Under the wind“ are the inhabited islands of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava. On Maio, time seems to stand still while Santiago, the largest island of Cape Verde, delights with its richness of facets. Fogo is „the“ volcanic island thanks to the picture book volcano Pico de Fogo and Brava is the green oasis.

Bathing Islands

Long white sandy beaches characterize the flat islands of Sal and Boavista. The warm temperatures of the turquoise water invite you to relax. The island of Sal stands for sand, deserts, dry valleys as well as small oases, salt flats and silent volcanoes. The image of Boa Vista is characterized by sand and scree desert as well as low mountain ranges and beach.

Active Tours

With imposing mountains and green valleys the islands of volcanic origin offer ideal conditions for outdoor enthusiasts. Be it hiking on Santo Antão and Fogo, mountain biking on São Nicolau or bird watching on Maio. Water sports enthusiasts will find the adventure they are looking for in diving, sailing, kite surfing and windsurfing on Sal or Boavista.

Culture

The multifaceted islands stand for one thing above all: Creole joy and friendly people. For example, in Mindelo on São Vicente one will encounter a cosmopolitan and lively atmosphere. A visit to the bustling fish market gives an insight into the everyday life of the locals. On Maio, the hospitality of the inhabitants in the cheerful town of Cidade do Maio will enchant.

Tourist infrastructure

International flights are available to the islands of Sal, Santiago, Boavista and São Vicente. There are domestic air connections between the islands, a ferry service is available on short distances. The transport network of Cape Verde is well developed in regional comparison, which is also due to the increasing number of tourists in recent years. Road conditions can vary depending on the island and region. The main roads are mostly paved, towns in the interior are accessible via small dirt roads.

The number of accommodations has also improved. Especially on the islands of Sal and Boavista there is a well-developed portfolio of accommodations in different categories.

Climate and travel season

The Cape Verde Islands are characterized by a mild oceanic climate. The average daytime temperature is 23°C up to 30°C, with a night time temperature of over 20°C during the summer months. During the winter months (January to April), the thermometer drops to about 18°C at night. Precipitation is to be expected in the months of August to September.

In general, the islands can be visited all year round, as the sea breeze provides cooling even in the hotter months. Due to the temperatures, the months of November to June are considered the preferred travel time.

Visa and entry

Citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland need a passport valid for at least six months to enter Cape Verde. For a stay of up to 30 days, no visa is required, but travellers must register online with the Polícia National de Cabo at least five days before departure. For a stay of more than 30 days, a visa must be applied for at the responsible embassy in the respective country.

Since the regulations can change at any time, all information are non-binding and without guarantee. Please observe the visa regulations and the current information of the Federal Foreign Office / Federal Ministry European and International Affaires / Federal Department of Foreign Affaires at all times.

Impressions from Cape Verde

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Our partners for Cape Verde

General updates

Federal Foreign Office (GER) ➝

Federal Ministry European and International Affairs (GER) ➝

Federal Department of
Foreign Affairs (GER) ➝

Information of the
Tourism Board ➝

Country information

Current accessibility

  • Information on entry:

    Entry to Cape Verde is possible again for travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland via the four international airports Praia, Sal, Boavista and São Vicente as well as via the sea route. The requirement for travelers aged 12 and over is to present a negative PCR test or PoC test, which must not be older than 72 or 48 hours. The test result is required by the airlines from all passengers before departure without exception. The same rules apply to entry by sea. Travelers who can present a from Cabo Verde recognized Covid certificate (Digital Covid Certificate of the EU) of a complete vaccination or Covid recovery are exempt from the test requirement. It is also mandatory for people entering the country to fill out an online form prior to arrival. Temperature measurements are carried out upon entry. Between the individual islands at check-in a negative Covid-19 PCR test or rapid antigen test that is not older than 72 or 48 hours must be presented for air and ship traffic. When traveling between São Vicente and Santo Antão, currently no proof is required. In addition, a form (English or Portuguese) for sanitary monitoring must be completed before check-in.

  • Information on return:

    Since March 30, 2021, all travellers, no matter from which country they are coming and which means of transportation they use, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, before entering the Federal Republic of Germany. The PCR test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. In addition, travellers must register their entry at the entry portal www.einreiseanmeldung.de➝ before arriving in Germany and carry proof of the corresponding registration with them. For stays in high risk areas classified by the RKI➝ there is a 10-day quarantine obligation. The quarantine can solely be prevented when a proof of complete vaccination or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection, which was completed at least 28 days ago and is maximum 6 months old, was submitted on the entry portal. After five days at the earliest, travellers who are not vaccinated or did not recover from a Covid-19 infection can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. For stays in virus mutation areas a negative PCR-test, which must be performed at the earliest 72 hours before entering, needs to be shown before return and a fourteen-day quarantine must to be entered without possibility to shorten it.

    All travellers older than 12 years, must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering Austria. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Since January 15, 2021, travellers must register their entry here ➝ („Pre-Travel-Clearance“) before arrival. With the above mentioned certifications a quarantine can be fully prevented when entering from a country classified as safe. The certifications can be handed in 24 hours later if no hotel stay is planned. For vaccinated people arriving from countries not classified as safe or from virus mutations areas the quarantine does not apply neither. Non-vaccinated people however need to present a negative Covid-test or a proof of recovery as well as enter a 10-day quarantine. After five days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early.

    All air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection within the past 6 months must register their entry on www.swissplf.admin.ch before or during arrival in Switzerland and need to carry the generated QR-code with them. Air passengers older than 16 years must present a negative PCR or PoC test, a proof of complete vaccination, for instance the digital Covid-Certificate from the EU (Green Pass), or a proof of recovery from a Covid-19 infection before entering. The PCR-test must be performed at the earliest 72 hours and the PoC-test 48 hours before the start of the return journey. Air as well as transit passengers who are not fully vaccinated or did not surpass a Covid-19 infection as well need to enter a 10-day quarantine and present a PCR-test. In addition, they need to inform their corresponding cantonal authority latest within two days after arrival. After seven days at the earliest, travellers can undergo a Covid-19 test. With a subsequent negative result, the quarantine obligation can be ended early. The obligation to test or enter quarantine does not apply to fully vaccinated people who can present a certificate such as the EU Digital Certificate or a Swiss Covid certificate.

Für Einreisende in die Bundesrepublik Deutschland, die sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in einem Risikogebiet aufgehalten haben, besteht seit dem 08. November 2020 die Pflicht, sich unverzüglich in eine zehntägige Quarantäne zu begeben. Darüber hinaus müssen Reisende vor ihrer Ankunft in Deutschland ihre Einreise unter https://www.einreiseanmeldung.de ➝ anmelden und den Nachweis über die entsprechende Anmeldung mit sich führen. Nach frühestens fünf Tagen können sich die Reiserückkehrer Covid-19 Test unterziehen. Mit einem anschließenden Negativergebnis kann die Quarantänepflicht frühzeitig beendet werden.

ACHTUNG: Wer sich in den letzten 10 Tagen vor Einreise in Deutschland in einem Hochinzidenz-Gebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet aufgehalten hat, muss bereits bei Einreise einen ärztlichen Nachweis oder ein negatives Testergebnis bei sich tragen und diesen bei Aufforderung der zuständigen Behörden vorlegen können. Der Test darf nicht älter als 48 Stunden vor Einreise sein. Darüber hinaus ist das negative Testergebnis auch vor Antritt der Rückreise dem entsprechenden Beförderer vorzulegen. Sollte es den Einreisenden aus etwaigen Gründen in einem Hochinzidenzgebiet oder einem Virusvarianten-Gebiet nicht möglich sein, sich vor Abreise testen zu lassen, können die entsprechenden Beförderer vor Abreise einen Schnelltest durchführen und bei Negativergebnis die Beförderung vornehmen. Der Beförderer darf den Test maximal 12 Stunden vor Abreise durchführen. Dieser Test muss den Anforderungen des RKI entsprechen: https://www.rki.de/tests ➝

Covid-19

Corona Precautionary Measures

  • Restrictions in the country:

    A minimum distance of 1.5 m must be maintained throughout the country. In addition, the government has declared a state of emergency on all islands. Tourist complexes and local accommodations can only be entered if there is a recognized Covid certificate of complete vaccination or Covid recovery or a proof of a test available. Night clubs are allowed to operate as “lounge bars”, but the dance business has ceased. On weekends, entry from 7:00 pm is only possible if one of the documents described above is presented. Bars and restaurants are open for a limited number of people and limited time. Recreational, cultural, sports and leisure activities that involve a gathering of people are also limited in number and time. The explained evidences are increasingly requested.

  • Mouth and nose protection:

    There is a strict mask obligation in public means of transport as well as institutions. This also applies outdoors. Compliance with the measures is controlled by the police.

  • Hygiene measures in the country:

    The Cape Verdean government has published a plan of action for the tourism sector to contain Covid-19 (PDF). This is in line with the hygiene rules currently in force.

Status: 05.10.2021

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