Cape Verde is known for its stunning natural landscapes and diverse sceneries. From the volcanic peaks of Fogo and Santo Antão to the white sandy beaches of Sal and Boa Vista, there is something for every type of traveler to explore. The colorful …
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Backpacking Cape Verde in 2025
A complete guide for backpacking in Cape Verde with best places to go, best time to visit, what to bring and safety advice.
Discover the vibrant fusion of culture and landscapes in Cape Verde, a captivating destination for adventurous backpackers. Pros? Immerse in the diverse music and dance scene, explore volcanic landscapes, and enjoy the welcoming locals. Budget-friendly accommodations enhance the experience. However, limited infrastructure may pose challenges, and some islands may lack typical tourist amenities. For backpackers seeking a unique blend of African, European, and Creole influences, Cape Verde's off-the-beaten-path charm offers an authentic, less-traveled adventure, making it an exceptional choice for those craving cultural richness and natural beauty.
Best known for:Known for: scenery | mountains | safety
Best time to visit: November-June
Best known for:Known for: scenery | mountains | safety
Best time to visit: November-June
Why to go?
Why backpacking in Cape Verde
Scenery
Mountains
The mountains of Cape Verde offer a unique and stunning landscape that is perfect for exploration. The Pico do Fogo is the highest peak in Cape Verde, standing at 2,829 meters tall. It is a popular destination for hikers and offers breathtaking …
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People
The people of Cape Verde are known for their warm and welcoming nature. They are quick to invite others into their homes and share their traditions and culture. The locals are known for their hospitality, often greeting visitors with open arms and …
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Beach life
Cape Verde is great for beach life and snorkeling due to its stunning white sandy beaches, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life. The archipelago is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, offering visitors the perfect …
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💡 Highlights
Top-5 things to do in Cape Verde
1. Beach hopping: With its stunning white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters, Cape Verde is a paradise for beach lovers. Explore the different beaches on the various islands, each offering a unique and unforgettable experience.
2. Hiking: The diverse landscapes of Cape Verde make it a great destination for hiking enthusiasts. From the volcanic peaks of Fogo to the lush valleys of Santo Antao, there are plenty of trails to explore and breathtaking views to enjoy.
3. Watersports: The strong winds and waves around Cape Verde make it a perfect destination for watersports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the ocean.
4. Local culture: Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture of Cape Verde by visiting the colorful markets, trying traditional cuisine, and experiencing the lively music and dance scene. The warm and welcoming locals will make you feel right at home.
5. Island hopping: With 10 different islands to explore, each with its own unique charm, island hopping is a must in Cape Verde. From the bustling city life of Praia to the peaceful serenity of Maio, each island has its own distinct character waiting to be discovered.
2. Hiking: The diverse landscapes of Cape Verde make it a great destination for hiking enthusiasts. From the volcanic peaks of Fogo to the lush valleys of Santo Antao, there are plenty of trails to explore and breathtaking views to enjoy.
3. Watersports: The strong winds and waves around Cape Verde make it a perfect destination for watersports such as windsurfing, kitesurfing, and surfing. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced enthusiast, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the ocean.
4. Local culture: Immerse yourself in the vibrant local culture of Cape Verde by visiting the colorful markets, trying traditional cuisine, and experiencing the lively music and dance scene. The warm and welcoming locals will make you feel right at home.
5. Island hopping: With 10 different islands to explore, each with its own unique charm, island hopping is a must in Cape Verde. From the bustling city life of Praia to the peaceful serenity of Maio, each island has its own distinct character waiting to be discovered.
But Cape Verde offers more...
🏞️ National parks: Boa Vista, Fogo, Monte Gordo Natural Park, Raso Islet Natural Reserve, Sal Island Marine Reserve
🌤️ When to go?
Best time to go backpacking Cape Verde
Cape Verde is best visited for backpacking during the dry season, which runs from November to June. During this time, the weather is warm and the skies are clear, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking and exploring the islands. The shoulder months of November and June are particularly good, as they offer a balance between good weather and fewer crowds. Additionally, during these months, the landscape is lush and green from the rainy season, providing a beautiful backdrop for backpacking adventures. It’s important to note that the islands can get quite hot during the summer months, so it’s best to avoid visiting during this time if possible.
Risk level: low (25%)
Safety advice for Cape Verde
Safety has impact on the way you can travel. Always check the safety of the country you go to and adjust the way you travel to the advice.Cape Verde
My tips to get you on the way!
Does Cape Verde sound like your next backpacking destination? Use these steps to get you on the way.
Get inspiration 📚
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
While guidebooks used to be the backpacker’s holy grail for finding accomodation, nowadays that’s more conveniently accomplished online. However, guidebooks remain an excellent resource for familiarizing oneself with the country, gaining inspiration, and discovering itineraries. I enjoy reading them before my travels and then leaving them behind at home when I embark on my journey.
Prepare your trip ✅
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Cape Verde. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Cape Verde may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Before embarking on your journey, several essential checks are crucial: passport, visa, vaccinations and insurance. Some countries mandate that your passport remains valid for 3 to 6 months post your return. Additionally, it is important to verify the specific visa requirements for Cape Verde. These differ per country of origin. While you can handle visa arrangements independently, online visa services streamline the process as they know exactly what’s needed for each country. Cape Verde may require certain vaccinations. Make sure to timely check which ones you still need. Lastly, if you don’t have a travel insurance yet, Safety Wing is a good choice as they are tailored for backpackers.
Book your flight ✈️
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Cape Verde, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
The flight may be the most expensive part of your trip. Therefore it’s worth spending a bit of time finding the right one. Flight search engines like Skyscanner and Kayak are the best to compare all possible options. A good tip is to be flexible with your exact travel dates. Traveling one or two days earlier/later may save you some bucks. Also booking about three months in advance can help making the best deal for you (though I’m not the best one myself to follow this advice as I tend to decide last-minute). A final tip would be to check airports in neighbouring countries. Not necessarily for cost saving but it can be intriguing to journey into Cape Verde, travel overland to one of its neighbours and fly back home from there.
Book your first night(s) 🛌
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
Depending on your travel style, you can either plan a detailed day-to-day route and pre-book your accommodations, providing peace of mind, or opt to book them spontaneously, offering greater flexibility to adjust your plan. Personally, I am a big fan of the latter approach, but I always ensure to book the first night(s) in advance.
My personal packing list 🎒
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Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Over the years, I’ve learned the importance of packing minimally. It’s so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you’re headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.Money & Documents
Clothing
Electronics
Health
Others
Moneybelt
[Amazon]
“Best way to carry your important documents”
Quick dry pant
[Amazon]
“Nothing beats these quick dry and light pants when traveling”
Light rain jacket
[Amazon]
“Hiking in rainy season? These keep you dry”
Thermo underwear
[Amazon]
“Less weight and volume than bulky sweaters or jackets”
Quick dry towel
[Amazon]
“Normal towels get smelly and heavy when traveling”
Power bank
[Amazon]
“Pick a small and light one, with 10.000mAh or more”
Travel adapter
[Amazon]
“Needed as each country has its own electricity plugs”
Number lock
[Amazon]
“No chance of losing your key; handy for lockers in dormitories”
Packing cubes
[Amazon]
“Keep your wet or dirty clothes separate from the rest”
Travel pillow
[Amazon]
“Light and great for flights and long bus journeys”
last page update: 22 September 2024