Cabo Verde is a stunning archipelago of ten volcanic islands off the coast of West Africa, offering pristine beaches, vibrant Creole culture, and year-round sunshine. From the windswept dunes of Boa Vista to the lush mountains of Santo Antão, this island nation combines African and Portuguese influences with world-class water sports and authentic island hospitality.
Local currency: Cabo Verdean Escudo (CVE). Pegged 1:1 to Euro at 110.265 CVE = 1 EUR.
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Cabo Verde.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $15-25
- Budget
- $30-50
- Midrange
- $80-150
- Luxury
- $220-600+
Food
- Street
- $2-5
- Local
- $8-15
- Midrange
- $20-40
- Fine
- $70-120+
Transport
- Aluguer
- $1-5
- Taxi
- $8-20
- Airport
- $15-30
- Daytrip
- $40-80
Activities
- Beach
- Free
- Snorkeling Gear
- $10
- Kitesurfing Lesson
- $50-120
- Boat Trip
- $40-80
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Cabo Verde costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$300-400/week
Midrange traveller
$700-1000/week
Luxury traveller
$2000-4000+/week
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Eat at local pastelarias for breakfast (pastel de atum $1-2, coffee $1) instead of hotel breakfast - saves $15-20 per day
Use alugueres (shared minibuses) for local transport - they cost 100-500 CVE ($1-5) versus $10-20 for taxis
Buy Fogo volcanic wine and artisanal grogue at supermarkets rather than restaurants - up to 50% cheaper than restaurant pricing
Book inter-island flights through Binter CV directly at least 2 weeks ahead for promotional fares - last-minute flights are much more expensive
Visit fish market stalls at lunch for the cheapest fresh seafood - whole grilled fish with rice costs $6-10 versus $20-35 at restaurants
Many luxury hotel restaurants welcome non-guests - the Melia Dunas breakfast buffet (if offered externally) provides value for the quality
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Santa Maria Beach
Cabo Verde's most famous beach is completely free with 8km of white sand and turquoise water. No entry fee, no required spend - just arrive and enjoy.
Pedra de Lume Volcano Walk
Hiking to the rim of the ancient volcanic crater at Pedra de Lume costs nothing - only the salt lake experience inside costs €5.
Mindelo City Walk
Exploring São Vicente's vibrant capital on foot is completely free. The colorful colonial architecture, harbor front, and Rua de Lisboa bar strip are best experienced by wandering.
Cidade Velha UNESCO Site
The streets of the first European colonial settlement in the tropics are open to walk freely. Only the small museum has an entry fee of €2.
Santa Maria Pier Sunset
The iconic wooden fishing pier at Santa Maria is free to access and provides spectacular sunset views over the Atlantic as fishermen return with their catch.
Buracona Coastline Walk
The dramatic volcanic coastline at Buracona is free to walk. The famous Blue Eye effect is viewable from the free public viewing area (no paid entry required for the viewpoint).
Assomada Market (Wednesday/Saturday)
Wandering through Cabo Verde's largest rural market on market days is free and fascinating. No obligation to buy - just experiencing the produce, colors, and atmosphere costs nothing.
Praia Plateau Neighborhood
Praia's historic hilltop city center with its colonial architecture, Sucupira Market perimeter, and cultural monuments can be explored entirely on foot for free.
Laginha Beach, Mindelo
Mindelo's city beach is completely free and gives an authentic slice of local beach culture completely free from tourist resort atmosphere.
Watching the Fishing Boats Return
Every morning in Santa Maria, Sal Rei, and Mindelo, local fishermen return with the night's catch. Watching the fish market set up is free, authentic, and captivating.