Africa

Cape Verde (Sal)

A sea of contrasts

Cape Verde is an undiscovered paradise, a country of contrasts just a two hour and forty minute flight away.

Formed by 10 islands and eight islets, it is an ideal place to enjoy nature, with uninhabited areas and multiple corners to get lost and relax in or to practice activities such as hiking, diving, windsurfing or fishing. The island of Sal is a paradisiacal destination and the best starting point to get to know the rest of the islands.

Its culture is a mixture of European influences, having been a colony of Portugal until 1975, and African influences, a combination that is evident in the way of life, making these islands even more attractive. The hospitality and friendliness of its inhabitants will not leave you indifferent.

Pedra da Lume: beautiful salt pans in shades of blue, red and green. The sea water seeps through the porous volcanic rock and creates lagoons that occupy the base of a crater. From the top you can see an extraordinary mosaic of colour.

Buracona: the entire coastline of the Isla de Sal is wildly beautiful. The action of the sea has created natural pools between the volcanic rock in this area. Their crystal-clear waters change colour depending on the direction of the sun and are a wonderful refuge for a quiet swim.

Santa María beach: a tourist's dream come true. Santa María is a picture-postcard beach: fine white sand, turquoise waters, few buildings. It is ideal both for relaxing on the sand and for enjoying water sports.

Olho Azul: another whim of nature. It is a hole in a rocky area next to the sea 12 metres deep. The midday sun creates reflections of incredible blue shades.

Being an archipelago, it goes without saying that fish and seafood are the stars of Cape Verdean cuisine. Best of all, in addition to the excellent quality, the prices are very reasonable. Be sure to try the exquisite grilled lobster. Tuna, octopus and skate are other common species on the local tables.

Cachupa is a delicious stew made from marinated tuna or pork, with corn, beans, carrots, tomatoes and spices. It is the most typical dish in Cape Verde and, although it takes a long time to prepare, it is well worth the wait.

When it comes to desserts, we recommend any of those made with tropical fruits. Papaya doce or coconut doce are delicious. Cheese pudding and coffee flan are also very popular.

A good digestive is grogue, an eau-de-vie made from cane sugar, coffee, mint, lime and cinnamon that the locals love. Sit on a terrace facing the sea, relax and enjoy the taste while admiring a picture-postcard sunset over the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Located in the Atlantic Ocean, some 1,500 kilometres south of the Canary Islands, there are ten islands that make up Cape Verde – the Windward Islands (Boa Vista, Sal, Santo Antão, Sao Nicolau, Sao Vicente and Santa Luzia) and the Leeward Islands (Fogo, Brava, Maio and Santiago). The islands were uninhabited until the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. This circumstance and their slow (until a few years ago) economic development have meant that a large part of their territory remains practically untouched. Its volcanic origin, its paradisiacal beaches and the idiosyncrasy of its inhabitants have made it a tourist destination in constant growth.

Official currency: the currency of Cape Verde is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE).

Official language: The official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese. Cape Verdean Creole (based on Portuguese but influenced grammatically and phonetically by African languages) is also widely spoken.

Documentation needed: a passport and visa valid for the duration of the stay are required to enter the country.

Climate: temperate tropical climate with little rainfall. Temperatures range from 20°C in winter to 25°C in summer. Despite the low rainfall, the rainy season is from August to October while the driest season is from November to July.

Vaccinations: yellow fever vaccination is obligatory for all travellers over one year of age coming from infected areas. Although Spain is not included in these areas, it is highly recommended.

- Recommended: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A and B, Tetanus, Triple Viral (Measles, Rubella, Mumps).

- Special situations: Cholera, Typhoid fever, Influenza, Pneumococcal.

However, we advise you to check this information on the Spanish Government's Web site as it may have changed.

Pack light cotton clothing and comfortable shoes. Don't forget a rain coat and some warm clothes in case it cools down. Also pack sunglasses, a hat, sunscreen and insect repellent, especially in summer.

It is advisable to get some vaccinations before your trip. Basically against typhoid, yellow fever and tetanus. Also, as in many other countries in the region, we recommend that you don't drink tap water, do without ice and don't eat uncooked food. It's not that anything bad will happen to you. It's just that we are not used to it and our stomachs suffer some "mishaps" if we don't take the right measures.