Briefing de orientación en Cabo Verde

Los portugueses descubrieron y colonizaron las islas deshabitadas de Cabo Verde en el siglo XV; posteriormente, Cabo Verde se convirtió en un centro de comercio de esclavos africanos y, más tarde, en una importante escala para el abastecimiento de carbón y la reposición de suministros destinada a la caza de ballenas y a la navegación transatlántica. La fusión de las tradiciones culturales europeas y de diversas tradiciones africanas se refleja en el crioulo, la música y los textiles pano de Cabo Verde. Tras la independencia en 1975, se estableció un sistema de partido único que se mantuvo hasta la celebración de elecciones multipartidistas en 1990. Cabo Verde sigue manteniendo uno de los gobiernos democráticos más estables de África y una de las economías más estables de la región, con una moneda vinculada primero al escudo portugués y, desde 1998, al euro. Las sequías reiteradas durante la segunda mitad del siglo XX causaron grandes penurias y provocaron una fuerte emigración. Como resultado, la población expatriada de Cabo Verde, concentrada en Boston (Massachusetts) y en Europa Occidental, es mayor que su población residente en el país.

La mayoría de los caboverdianos tienen antecedentes tanto africanos como portugueses. La población de Cabo Verde desciende de sus primeros habitantes permanentes, establecidos a finales del siglo XV: una preponderancia de esclavos del África occidental, una pequeña proporción de colonos portugueses y, en menor número aún, italianos y españoles. Entre las nueve islas habitadas, la distribución de la población es variada. Las islas orientales son muy secas y albergan la creciente industria turística del país. Las islas más occidentales reciben más precipitaciones y sustentan poblaciones más numerosas, pero la agricultura y el pastoreo han deteriorado la fertilidad de sus suelos y su vegetación. Durante siglos, el tamaño total de la población del país ha fluctuado notablemente, ya que los periodos recurrentes de hambruna y epidemias han causado un elevado número de muertes y emigración.

Before you travel

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde.

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

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Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Cape Verde

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Cape Verde, attacks cannot be ruled out. 

Crime

The crime rate in Cape Verde is generally low, but can include pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglary and muggings, particularly in the capital city of Praia and on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista. Sexual assaults are rare but have been reported.

You can take steps to protect yourself and your belongings, including:

• leaving valuables somewhere secure, such as a hotel safe
• keeping your belongings in sight at bars and restaurants
• not carrying large amounts of cash or wearing expensive jewellery
• avoiding unlit and isolated areas after dark
• avoiding beaches with limited or restricted visibility
• making sure your hotel or accommodation’s windows and doors are always locked

Laws and cultural differences

Illegal drugs and prison sentences

There are severe penalties for possessing, using or trafficking drugs. Penalties include fines and long prison sentences.

Buying property 

British nationals have experienced problems when buying property in Cape Verde. Before buying property on the islands, get independent qualified legal advice. See FCDO’s list of English-speaking lawyers in Cape Verde.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Beaches and swimming

If you are going into the water, always use beaches where there is a lifeguard on duty.

Tides and currents around the islands are very strong. Take care when walking close to the water’s edge, especially along unsupervised stretches of beach.  Waves can be unpredictable and have a strong undertow. Follow the lifeguard’s instructions and respect the warning flags:

• red means danger: do not go into the water
• yellow means caution: you can walk in the water, but you cannot swim
• green means it’s safe to swim

See water safety on holiday from the Royal Life Saving Society. 

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Cape Verde, see information on driving abroad.

You can use a valid UK photocard driving licence to drive in Cape Verde for up to 6 months. If you still have a paper driving licence, you should update it to a photocard licence, or get the 1968 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and carry it with your licence. You will be arrested if you are found driving without a licence.

Hiring vehicles

If you hire a car, scooter or quad bike, make sure it’s in good condition and that it’s fully insured. Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.

Quad biking is considered an extreme sport. It is unlikely that it will be included in your travel insurance policy. Check whether you need additional insurance to cover extreme sports and make sure it covers you for the cost of medical care and repatriation. Medical facilities are very basic in Cape Verde so it is highly likely that following a quad bike accident you will need to be medically evacuated.

It’s a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike. Your insurance policy may be invalidated if you have an accident and you’re not wearing a helmet.

Public transport

Only hire authorised taxis from taxi ranks or by asking your hotel to call one. On the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, authorised taxis are coloured blue and yellow.

Intercity bus services can be dangerous because of poor driving.

Sea travel

Sea conditions around Cape Verde can be dangerous. Follow local advice before travelling by sea. Travel by sea to the southern islands of Brava and Fogo in particular can often be disrupted.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Flooding 

The rainy season in Cape Verde is from mid-August to mid-October. Torrential rains on some of the islands can cause floodings and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.

Earthquakes

Seismic activity and tremors can be felt occasionally, mostly on the islands of Brava and Fogo. This is usually within the bounds of normal activity but can sometimes be dangerous. Check with your travel provider before travelling to the islands of Brava or Fogo.

Sandstorms

Sandstorms (‘bruma seca’) can happen between December and February. When intense, they can disrupt air travel, especially on the island of Boa Vista. If a sandstorm happens while you’re on one of the islands, contact your tour operator or airline.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need. Health care in Cape Verde is very basic and limited
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant. Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted in Cape Verde so it is essential that you have appropriate travel insurance.

Emergency medical number

Call 130 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before your trip:

• check the current vaccine recommendations for Cape Verde
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face on Cape Verde, including:

• shigella sonnei
• salmonella
• dengue

If you have an underlying health condition, speak to a healthcare professional before travelling.

UK Health Security Agency has investigated an increase in cases of Shigella sonnei and Salmonella in travellers returning from Cape Verde. Reported cases have decreased, but there is still a risk of gastrointestinal illness as in other countries.

You can reduce your risk by practising good hand hygiene and following food and water precautions. Read more about food and water hygiene on TravelHealthPro.

The Cape Verde government has raised the civil protection warning level for dengue on the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava.

Altitude sickness is a risk on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde. Read more about altitude sickness on TravelHealthPro.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

Changes to your routine when travelling, such as later nights, coping with heat and changes to your diet can have an impact on your medication. See the Summer Proof Your Health campaign for more information.

Medication is only available from pharmacies. Find a nearby pharmacy using the list of pharmacies in Cape Verde (in Portuguese).

If you take prescribed medication, bring enough for the duration of your visit and keep a few days’ supply in your hand luggage in case your checked baggage is delayed or lost.

If you have a UK prescription and run out of medication, ask a pharmacy whether they can supply it. The same medicine, strength or dose may not be available, and some medicines may be in short supply or unavailable in Cape Verde.

If you need a repeat prescription, go to the nearest health centre or hospital emergency department. You may have to pay for your medication.

Healthcare in Cape Verde

Medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista.

The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Cape Verde where some staff will speak English.

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.