Visa requirements
Passport: is generally required for travel to Cape Verde, the passport must be valid for at least 6 months upon entry.
Visa: Generally required from a stay of 3 months, except tourists who travel as an organized group and have a Certificado Colectivo de Identidade et Viagem.
Transit: Transit travelers who fly on to the next connection and do not leave the transit room do not need a transit visa, provided they have valid onward flight tickets.
Validity: 90 days stay (possibility of extension on site).
Application: by post or fax to the consular section of the embassy or consulates (see Cape Verde – important addresses).
Documents: Tourist Visa: an original passport photo (no scan) – an original visa application (no copy, no fax) – passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the visa has expired – fee / proof of payment – travel booking confirmation or copy of the flight ticket. Business Visa: In addition, a letter from the German company about the purpose and duration of the trip and confirmation of the cost assumption.
You can download the Cape Verde visa application form here.
An addressed free envelope and proof of payment for the fees should be attached to the application.
Cost of issuing a Visa: individual and simple visa (transit or tourist): 45.00 euros
Simple family visa (transit or tourist): 57.00 euros
Individual and simple multiple-entry Visa: EUR 87.00
Multiple family Visa: 110.00 euros
Group visa (per person): 34.00 euros
Processing time: one to three days
Vaccinations: Information on international vaccination certificates that are required for entry can be found in the Cape Verde – Health chapter.
Entry with children:
Germany: Children need a separate passport to enter Cape Verde (children’s passport or electronic passport).
Austria: own passport for children.
Switzerland: own passport for children.
The same visa requirements apply to children as to their parents.
Money
National currency: 1 Cape Verde Escudo divided into 100 centavos.
Currency abbreviation: CVE. – ABBREVIATIONFINDER.ORG
Banknotes are in circulation of 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500 and 200 CVE, coins with a face value of 200 (rare special issues), 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1 CVE. The Cape Verde Escudo is pegged to the euro at a fixed exchange rate.
Currency exchange: Cash can be exchanged at the airport in Sal and at banks in all major cities in the country. The exchange receipts are required for the return. In many tourist locations you can pay with euros.
Exchange rate Cape Verde Escudo:
Currency converter at OANDA
Credit Cards: Only accepted in large hotels and with international car rental companies (most often Visa card). In some banks you can get cash with the MasterCard for a fee.
Travelers checks: can be cashed in many banks. The fees range from 200 to 300 CVE.
ATMs: Many banks in the larger cities have ATMs that accept all VISA cards, many also Mastercard. In Sal you can even get cash at ATMs with the normal EC card with Maestro sign.
Foreign exchange regulations: The import of the national currency is subject to declaration. The import of foreign currencies is permitted up to an amount equivalent to 20,000 CVE. The export of the national currency and foreign currencies is subject to declaration.
Bank opening times: Mon – Fri 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Health and Diseases
The health service of the Foreign Ministry recommends as sensible vaccinations: protection against tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A, for long-term stay over three months also hepatitis B. With special exposure (stay in the country, hunting, jogging etc.) vaccination against other diseases may be useful. These and other questions should be decided in a personal consultation with the tropical doctor or the vaccinator with tropical and travel medicine experience.
A vaccination certificate against yellow fever is required for all travelers who want to enter a WHO-designated infection area within 6 days of their stay and who are over one year old. This does not apply to travelers who have not left the transit area in the infection areas and transit travelers who have not left the airport in Cape Verde.
HIV / AIDS:can be a danger for everyone who runs the risk of infection: Sexual contact, dirty syringes or cannulas and blood transfusions can pose a life-threatening risk.
Through hygienic eating and drinking (only boiled, not warmed up lukewarm) and consistent mosquito repellent (repellents, mosquito net, covering clothing, behavior), most of the dangerous diarrhea and many infectious diseases can be completely avoided, including malaria.
There is a limited risk of malaria on the island of São Tiago from September to the end of November. Various prescription medications (e.g. malarone, doxycycline, Lariam) are available on the market
for malaria prophylaxis. The selection and personal adjustment as well as side effects or intolerance to other medications should be discussed with a tropical or travel doctor before taking chemoprophylaxis. Malaria is known only in Santiago (isolated cases).
The medical care in the country to be compared with Europe not quite. It can be technically, apparatusally and / or hygienically problematic, especially in the country. Adequate, valid health insurance coverage and reliable travel return insurance are strongly recommended. An individual first- aid kit should be taken with you and protected appropriately for the temperatures. Here too, individual advice from a tropical doctor or travel doctor is useful.
Water should either be boiled or otherwise sterilized before drinking, brushing teeth, and making ice cubes. Milk is not pasteurized and should also be boiled. Mix dry and canned milk only with aseptic water. It is best to avoid dairy products from uncooked milk. Meat and fish dishes should only be cooked well and served hot. Avoid eating pork, raw salads, and mayonnaise. Vegetables should always be cooked and fruit peeled.
In addition to my general disclaimer, please note the following important note:
A guarantee for the correctness and completeness of the medical information as well as a liability for possible damage cannot be assumed. You stay responsible for your healthy.
Travel opportunities for Cape Verde
Airplane: All inhabited islands except Brava are served by TACV. In TACV in Munich for discounted domestic flights TACV Airpass available. The Airpass is only valid in connection with an international TACV ticket and must already be booked and paid for in Germany. The minimum number of coupons is 2, one coupon is calculated per flight segment / flight number. The Airpass is valid for a maximum of 3 weeks, rebooking is difficult.
Halcyonair has been flying between Sal, Santiago, Sao Vicente, Fogo and Boa Vista since mid-2008.
Charter flights to the smaller islands are offered by Cape Verde Express.
Ship: All nine inhabited islands can be reached by boat and ferry. The “Tarrafal” car ferry runs daily between Mindelo, Sao Nicolau and Praia, and another Armas car ferry runs daily between São Vicente and Santo Antão. Delays must be expected.
Cars: around a third of the road network is tarred. An off-road vehicle is often necessary for journeys off the main routes. Taxis are available in major cities, and fares should be arranged in advance. The most important domestic means of transport are the Aluguer , small trucks, minibuses or pickups, which are used as shared taxis and also travel to small places. The price per route is fixed, the Aluguer can also be rented privately. Rental cars are available on the main islands. Documents: an international driver’s license is recommended.
Attractions in Cape Verde
The coasts of the islands are a diving paradise, there are many wrecks from the 16th century to explore.
Most of Cape Verde’s islands are mountainous and have wonderful beaches. The islands of Sal (best beach near Santa Maria), Boavista Prai do Estoril, Praia da Chave) and Maio (Vila do Maio) are particularly suitable for a beach holiday. The most beautiful beach on the island of Santiago is that of Tarrfal.
The island of Santo Antao is particularly well suited for hiking with a mountain landscape that is crossed by many paths.
Deep sea fishermen come in the season from March to October, the Marlin is particularly popular.
In the capital Praia, much of life takes place on the labyrinth of the vegetable, fruit and fish market. It is also interesting to visit the ruins of the cathedral and the Republic Square. No photos can be taken of the magnificent Presidential Palace. The settlement of Cape Verde began in Cidade Velha, the old capital near Praia. Here you can still see the ruins of the settlement. A trip is worthwhile because of the impressive surrounding landscape.
On Fogo is the mighty volcanic Pico do Fogo, which erupted last 1995th A visit to the crater (Caldeira) is one of the highlights of a visit to Cape Verde. In the capital São Felipe you can still admire numerous colonial houses.
Mindelo on São Vicente has some remarkable houses from the Portuguese colonial era and has a legendary reputation as the center of night life and music life in the country. In fact, live music is often played. The port of Porto Grande is the most important port in the country.
The north of São Antão is covered with tropical vegetation, the landscape here is breathtakingly beautiful. The steep valleys are ideal for hiking.
On São Nicolau (like on many islands in the country) water shortages are a big problem – many houses have been abandoned and there is no bus. Visitors must therefore use taxis or bicycles. The island impresses with a magnificent mountain landscape, in the north there is Monte Gordo.