Cape Verde
Republic of Cabo Verde
Western Africa · CPV
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Cape Verde
Cape Verde is best for travelers who want Atlantic island scenery, music culture, and a relaxed pace rather than a packed sightseeing program. It works especially well when you choose one or two islands and let the trip revolve around beaches, hiking, and local life.
Popular For
Things To See
- Praia
- Mindelo
- Santo Antao
- Fogo
- Sal
- Cidade Velha
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Island-hopping takes more planning than many first-time visitors expect.
- Choose islands based on whether you want beaches, hiking, or city life.
- Winter and spring are the easiest broad months for a first trip.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Cape Verde.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Cape Verde Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Cape Verde.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Praia
- Population
- 491,233
- Area
- 4,033 km²
- Region
- Western Africa
Languages
- Portuguese
Currency
Cape Verdean escudo (Esc)
CVE
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
46.4
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 57.2
- Restaurants
- 35.6
- Rent
- 8.8
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Praia (14.92°N, 23.52°W).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
24/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 20/100
- Lived safety
- 32/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.668
Medium human development
- 5-year change
- +0.005
- 10-year change
- +0.008
- Trend
- stable
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.964
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.298
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (1)
- 🏛️
Cidade Velha, Historic Centre of Ribeira Grande
Inscribed 2009
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 17.6%
- Forest cover
- 11.6%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 4
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 7
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
43/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Luxury Infrastructure
75/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There were no changes to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary was updated. Exercise normal precautions in Cabo Verde. Advisory Summary Cabo Verde is generally a safe destination for travelers. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution - Praia There is an increased risk of crime in Praia. This includes petty crime like pickpocketing or purse snatching, as well as violent crime like mugging, armed robbery, or assault. If you decide to travel to Cabo Verde: Review our information on Crime Abroad and for Victims of Crime. Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Use caution when walking or driving at night. Be aware of your surroundings. Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry. Do not answer your door at your hotel/residence unless you know who it is. Be extra vigilant when visiting banks or ATMs. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Cabo Verde. Visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website for the latest Travel Health Information for Cabo Verde. Whether you’re a first time or frequent traveler, use the International Travel Checklist. We highly recommend that you buy travel insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of August 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data