Magically placed in the warm Atlantic waters off the west coast of Africa, Cape Verde is ranked among the world’s most beautiful and unspoiled islands.
The archipelago is a horseshoe-shaped cluster of ten islands, of which nine are inhabited, each offering a unique culture and countless opportunities for leisure.
The fast developing island of Sal, particularly, with its extended white sandy beaches, has been discovered by European beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts.
Situated in the north eastern side of the islands, Sal is Cape Verde’s main island. Sal enjoys sunshine most of the year and this, combined with the cool ocean currents, makes the island a unique holiday destination.
With its expansive white sandy beaches, Cape Verde is a haven for beach lovers and water sports enthusiasts. It’s no wonder then that so many tourists from Britain choose to go on holiday in this archipelago.
What to see and do:
1.) Beach tours – Cape Verde is a paradise for beach lovers. Spoil yourself on Cape Verde’s pristine beaches, the best of which are the white sand beaches of Sal and the black sand beaches of Sao Nicolau.
2.) Wave surfing – Cape Verde is endowed with some of the world’s best waves, and most hotels can arrange lessons or board hire. You will definitely learn to surf or water-ski in Cape Verde.
3.) Bird-watching- Home to numerous rare breeds of African birds and unique types of swifts, warblers and sparrows, Cape Verde is a paradise for birding enthusiasts.
4.) Trekking – There are numerous opportunities for trekking around Cape Verde’s islands of Boa Vista and Fogo. Boa Vista (Portuguese for good view) boasts a desert-like terrain with shifting sand dunes and palm trees, while Fogo is endowed with a scenic volcanic peak with spectacular views.
While on Cape Verde holidays, tourists also get the rare chance to watch the turtles laying eggs on the beach.
Accommodation: Cape Verde hotels:
While in Cape Verde, you can find accommodation in any of the many international chain hotels that are dotted on the main islands.
There is also the option of staying at a beach resort in Sal or at a beach hut on the minor islands.
It is advisable to book ahead during the high season (April to September) to avoid possible disappointment.
How to get there:
Getting to Cape Verde is quite easy. Most international flights land on Sal, although Praia is now seeing an increased number of international arrivals.
Cape Verde’s national flag carrier, TACV (www.tacv.cv), flies from Lisbon three or four times weekly and once or twice weekly from Paris, Boston, Madrid, Basel, Munich, Amsterdam and Fortaleza. The airline flies three or four times weekly between Praia and Dakar (Senegal).
Other airlines servicing Cape Verde include South African Airways, Tap Air Portugal and Air Sénégal International. South African Airways (www.flysaa.com) has flights to Sal from Johannesburg, New York, Buenos Aires and Atlanta.
Tap Air Portugal (www.flytap.com) has daily flights from Lisbon while Air Sénégal International (www.air-senegal-international.com) flies three or four times weekly to/from Dakar.
Best time to go:
Thanks to the excellent Cape Verde weather, there is no real best time to go to Cape Verde as the archipelago is a superb holiday destination all year round.
However, if you like to lie on the island’s beaches, then you should schedule your visit in the high season (April to September). The low season (November to March) is ideal for those who like to visit places and take in the island’s tour attractions.
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