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| Cape Verde Holidays
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Cape Verde comprises 10 islands in the Atlantic, 800 miles south of the Canaries and on the same latitude as Barbados. The nearest land mass is Senegal 385 miles to the east.
A direct flight from the UK takes less than six hours and there is almost no jet lag as the islands are just one hour behind the UK.
Now a recent and carefully developed tourism plan has made Cape Verde an exciting newcomer to those seeking a somewhat different holiday destination with almost guaranteed sunshine. The long beaches of endless white sand fringing a turquoise ocean, friendly and interesting people and a laid-back lifestyle are somewhat reminiscent of the early days of tourism in the Seychelles. Overseas investment, including the property market, is buoyant.
It is one of only four African nations not considered ‘Third World’.
The people are a fascinating mix of their two nearest neighbours, Brazil and Senegal,
with a vibrant culture which appears in harmony with the sounds and rhythms of both a fusion of Samba and Salsa with tribal Africa.
The capital, Praia, on Santiago has a population of 120,000 and is distinctly African. Mindelo on São Vicente has a population of 80,000 and is very European and reminiscent of grand Portuguese and Brazilian provincial cities.
Cape Verde became independent from Portugal in 1975 and the vast majority of the 482,000 people are Christian. 71% of the population is Creole, 28% African and 1% European. The main industries are fishing, the manufacture of shoes and clothes, boat building and repair, and agriculture, with many banana and other tropical and temperate fruit plantations.
The ocean and its shores, as well as the interior, are unpolluted.
Cape Verde has the fourth largest GDP in Africa as well as one of Africa’s most stable
democratic governments, and is considered safe. However, as elsewhere in the world,
you should always exercise caution when out walking and not display valuable items.
Please be aware that medical facilities on Cape Verde for serious illnesses and injuries are not generally of a standard expected in the UK. To reduce the possibility of stomach upsets it helps to avoid tap water, ice in drinks, raw salads and unpeeled fruit. You should follow local advice before swimming in the Atlantic as in some areas there are strong undercurrents and riptides.
Hotel Ratings
Brochure descriptions provide the official Cape Verde ratings, which are not judged in the same way as EC hotel ratings. A Cape Verde five star rating would usually be the equivalent of an EC four star and so on. We hope the description will give you a correct idea of the hotel’s facilities and comfort.
Location
The islands lie 385 miles from Senegal and 800 miles south of the Canaries. They are on the same latitude as Barbados and there are regular flights to Brazil. As they are just one hour behind GMT there is no jet lag.
Beaches
The beaches are superb with long stretches of fine white sand. The most popular are on the islands of Boa Vista and Sal, whilst Maio, Santiago and São Vicente have fine but little visited beaches.
Food and Wine
You can find restaurants to suit most tastes in the more popular areas. Freshly caught fish is always on the menu cooked to local recipes, with relatively inexpensive swordfish and tuna widely found. Bananas, papaya, mango and other fruit including strawberries are usually readily available when in season. Most meat is imported from Brazil and South Africa.
The wines come mainly from Portugal, although there are good wines produced on the island of Fogo, and there are local beers and a rum-based grogue. Fogo also produces fine coffee and cheese.
Shopping
Interestingly many shops are now run by the Chinese, originally from Macau. There is a good curio and ceramic shop on Santiago and local foods and liquor are popular purchases.
Activities
Island-hopping, trekking, horseriding, diving and watersports are popular activities.
Cape Verde comprises two distinctly different types of islands. Seven of the more westerly islands are characterised by their mountainous landscapes, whereas the three closer to Africa (Boa Vista, Sal and Maio) are distinguished by their long sandy beaches.
Island-hopping between them using a combination of local ferries and inter-island flights is a popular pastime.
Trekking and rambling along the paths created by the local people on the islands of Santiago, Santo Antão, São Nicolau and Fogo introduces you to breathtaking scenery with green valleys, rocky inlets, terraced plantations and volcanic peaks.
During the summer months bird watching on most islands is also popular. The islands are normally a key nesting site for loggerhead turtles in August and September.
The crystal clear waters around the islands are excellent for scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Waterskiing, windsurfing, kitesurfing and sailing are also popular activities, depending upon weather conditions.
There is a modest golf course on São Vicente and there are excellent spa facilities at the Venta Club on Boa Vista. Massage is available at several hotels.
Entertainment
Some of the larger hotels provide international style entertainment. However local entertainment is most interesting, especially on Sal and São Vicente where there is a choice of clubs, bars and restaurants.
The local people thrive on music and dancing, and a band will strike up anywhere for an impromptu beach or street party. Salsa and Samba mixed with tribal African dance are de rigueur.
Cape Verdeans love festivals, the most splendid being the annual Mardi Gras in late February, but each island indulges in at least two additional fiestas each year.
Getting Around
There are international airports on Boa Vista, Sal and Santiago, with a new one due to open next year on São Vicente. Travel within the islands is by inter-island flights, or by ferry between São Vicente and Santo Antão, subject to timetables.
Where your holiday includes onward travel to another island the cost of travel between the islands is included in your holiday price unless stated otherwise. Flying times between islands may often involve a wait between connections, a transit stop en route or a change of flight. The internal flight or ferry schedules will normally be advised to you prior to departure. Schedules may be subject to change.
More information will be available at the time of booking. Travelling around the islands by aluguers, locally run minibuses, is a great way to get to know the locals. Car hire is available on some islands. Most roads are challenging and are often of local stone or rough tracks.
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Passionate about Cape Verde... |
"These islands are in my blood. I have travelled through
the most remote valleys by mule and I have climbed the
most inaccessible mountains. I know beaches that no one
else knows. My love is for the land. I was born where I From a manor house farm we have carefully developed it into an eco hotel where we produce our own food and employ staff from the same families who have tended the land for many years. We are like one big family. I left the Quinta for a few years to study for my engineering degree, first in Bulgaria and later in Belgium. I even did some hotel training in Thailand. I came back full of zest and ambition to create the most friendly little hotel in Cape Verde. My hobbies? Studying the stars through the Quinta’s observatory telescope, playing my guitar for the guests and walking in the mountains. Oh yes, and working in our allotment and gardens. Perhaps best of all it is being able to share my passions with the guests who stay with me more as friends than passing tourists’. Apaixonada pa Cabo Verde! Lindorfo Ortet is the owner-manager of the Quinta da Montanha and Santiago. He is also a guitar player and an intriguing raconteur." |
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Here are just a few things we recommend you include on any holiday to Cape Verde:
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