Cape Verde
Country · Africa, Western Africa
Cape Verde is a country in Western Africa with a population of about 527,000 people spread across 4,033 square kilometers. Its capital is Praia, and the nation offers travelers a mix of historical sites and distinct local cuisine.
Highlights
This guide covers one major sight in the country, the Forte Real de São Filipe. Additionally, the Pelourinho is noted as a location worth visiting.
Food and drink
Local culinary offerings include cachupa and the spirit known as grogue.
When to go
The weather in Praia remains relatively stable throughout the year. Temperatures generally range between daily highs of 24 °C and lows of 20 °C during the cooler months of January through May. Highs increase to 28 °C by late summer. Rainfall is minimal for most of the year, though August and September see the most precipitation, with about 12 to 15 rainy days respectively.
Practical notes
The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo. Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole are the primary languages. The country operates on UTC−01:00 time, and traffic moves on the right side of the road. Electrical outlets use plug types C and F, with a voltage of 220 V.
Food and drink to try in Cape Verde
- Cachupa
- Grogue
Top sights in Cape Verde
Weather by month
The warmest month is September, with an average high of 28 °C. The wettest is September, with about 77 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 24 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 28 | 28 | 27 | 25 |
| Average low, °C | 20 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 23 | 22 |
| Rainfall, mm | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 74 | 77 | 29 | 5 | 2 |
| Rainy days | 4 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 4 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Praia (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Pelourinho