Tips & Tricks
Morna Fest (Praça Dom Luis, Mindelo, São Vicente) – held every December, this musical event brings together local and Portuguese artists who perform the soulful morna songs that these islands are famous for. Along with the live performances, there are also workshops, forums and lectures held in various parts of Mindelo dedicated to the advancement […]
Shopping options anywhere in Cape Verde (be it Sal, Mindelo in São Vicente, Santiago, and elsewhere), are very limited, centering on make-shift open-air shopping strips that are hard to miss when one passes through the center of major towns. The closer one is to a tourist-friendly area, the more likely one will run into street […]
Diving – due to Cape Verde’s long history of maritime activity, going back to its status as a Portuguese colony for 500 years, there are various shipwrecks for divers for explore, particularly at Sal, Maio, and Boa Vista islands. Diving companies active in Cape Verde include “Scuba Team Cabo Verde” (www.scubateamcaboverde.com), “Sunfish Scuba Diving Academy” […]
Kitesurfing (Salamansa Beach, Mindelo, Sao Vicente) – this is a popular beach for veteran as well as with novice kitesurfers. Local outfits, such as “Kitesurfing Now” (www.kitesurnow.eu), and “Surf Cabo Verde” (www.surfcaboverde.com) at Santa Maria (Sal island) provide lessons to both beginners and advanced kitesurfers, taking advantage of Cape Verde’s optimal wind conditions (providing such […]
São Vicente Creole Carnival (Mindelo, São Vicente) – these festivities, held in February, are undoubtedly influenced by the famed carnivals held in Brazil (given the bright and extravagantly costumed locals that are often seen there). Although revelers can be found throughout the island, the largest gatherings are easily found in the island’s main city of […]
Fogo Volcano tours – the active Pico do Fogo volcano – standing at a height of 2829 meters, inevitably attracts tourists interested in this unique site. With the original name of this island being São Filipe, it’s no surprise that locals changed its name to “fogo” (fire). Its last major eruption was in 1675 – […]