How many beaches to visit: Plan on three to five beach days in total, spread across two kinds of coast. That number fits a typical 10 to 14 day trip without turning your holiday into a transport marathon. More than that, and you spend money and hours getting between islands for sand that looks similar. Fewer, and you miss the contrast between the pale, windy east and the darker, wilder coasts elsewhere.
Choosing between kinds: If you want easy swimming, sunbeds and a bar, pick one of the resort-style long beaches: you pay more for food and drinks (a meal can cost 8 to 15 euros equivalent in escudos, about 800 to 1,650 CVE), but you save time and effort. If you want solitude and local life, choose a volcanic cove or fishing-village shore. It costs more effort and often a shared taxi (aluguer) …
read more 👉 How many beaches to visit: Plan on three to five beach days in total, spread across two kinds of coast. That number fits a typical 10 to 14 day trip without turning your holiday into a transport marathon. More than that, and you spend money and hours getting between islands for sand that looks similar. Fewer, and you miss the contrast between the pale, windy east and the darker, wilder coasts elsewhere.Choosing between kinds: If you want easy swimming, sunbeds and a bar, pick one of the resort-style long beaches: you pay more for food and drinks (a meal can cost 8 to 15 euros equivalent in escudos, about 800 to 1,650 CVE), but you save time and effort. If you want solitude and local life, choose a volcanic cove or fishing-village shore. It costs more effort and often a shared taxi (aluguer) of 100 to 300 CVE, yet it gives a backpacker the best value and atmosphere. Surfers and kiters should budget for lessons or gear hire of about 40 to 80 euros equivalent a session.Daily budget: Most backpackers manage on US$40 to 70 a day, using guesthouses, local restaurants and aluguers. Entry to beaches is almost always free. Sunbed rental at resort-style stretches usually costs 5 to 10 euros equivalent, and a local guide for a remote shore runs about US$15 to 30.Safety and etiquette: Currents and shore break are strong, and lifeguards are rare, so swim where locals swim and avoid it alone or after drinking. Leave valuables at your guesthouse, as petty theft happens on busier sand. Cover up when walking through villages, and ask before photographing fishermen or their catch. Turtle nesting beaches have rules, so keep lights off and distance from nests at night. Carry cash, water and reef-safe sunscreen.