Ontdekking van Kaapverdië

Comprised of nine inhabited islands; one uninhabited island and eight islets, the idyllic holiday getaway of Cape Verde offers a smorgasbord of attractions to thrill even the most jaded of travellers. The islands are blessed with stunning beaches lapped by azure waters as well as lush mountainous areas providing ample opportunities for adventurous outdoor activities including, among others: game fishing, kite surfing, jet skiing, canyoning and hiking. Culture lovers are also well catered for with plenty of interesting art, music, colonial architecture, lively markets, and delicious local cuisine on offer in the bustling cultural capital of Mindelo. From the UNESCO world heritage site of the old fort of Santiago to the vast remote beaches and exceptional shipwreck dive sites of Boa Vista, this diverse archipelago truly does have something to satisfy each and every visitor.

Currency

Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CVE5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CVE200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.

The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on and arrival and on departure. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of CVE1,000,000 or the amount declared on arrival, whichever is the larger.

Currency exchange is available at the airport and in local banks. Currency cannot be reconverted, except in Portugal.

Banking

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 08h00-14h00.

Credit cards are rarely used. A few major hotels accept Visa. Currency can be obtained in banks from credit cards but charges are very high. There are ATMs in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vincent.

Travellers cheques are accepted in main towns and tourist areas, though the exchange can often be problematic.

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TACV - Cabo Verde Airlines (www.tacv.cv) is the main domestic carrier. There are internal flights available to all inhabited islands except Brava and San Antao. Private charters are available from the Cape Verde Express air-taxi service (www.capeverdeexpress.com).

Cape Verde Airpass: available from TACV to passengers booking their long-distance tickets through the airline or their agents, offering discounted flights within Cape Verde. A minimum of two internal flights must be booked and the pass is valid for 21 days.

Car hire is Available on the main islands; book in advance when possible.There are over 2,250km (1,400 miles) of roads on the islands, of which one-third are cobbled. There is a road improvement programme underway to convert cobblestone roads into asphalt. Road conditions and driving standards are generally of a reasonable quality, although paved roads are mostly narrow and winding. Cars are driven on the right side of the road. An International Driving Permit is legally required and proof of insurance should be displayed on the car windscreen. Drivers can be hired to see the main sights on the islands.

Taxi fares should be agreed in advance, although some prefer to use the taximeter. Seat belts must be worn. Children under 12 should sit in the back seat.

There is a daily ferry service operating between the port of Mindelo, São Vincente and Santo Antao. Cargo ships may also accept passengers and regular services connect Santiago, Fogo and Brava; however, these are primaily for cargo supply and demand and so are inconsistent. Sea conditions around Cape Verde are sometimes treacherous, due to many submerged rocks. Travel by sea to the southern islands of Brava and Fogo can be particularly disrupted.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. All drinking water should be bottled, boiled or carbonated. Water used for brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised. Avoid all dairy products and food from street vendors. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Cape Verdean food is an enticing mixture of Creole, Portuguese and African flavours. The islands have a wealth of seafood which is often cooked straight from the sea. The influx of tourists is causing an increasing number of quality restaurants to open up.

It is normal to give a 10% tip for good service.

Cape Verde experiences warm temperatures year-round. However, there is a rainy season from August to October when rainfall is unpredictable. The coolest months are December to March. The best time to visit Cape Verde is from February to June, when the days are long and sunny.

Lightweight clothing is appropriate throughout the year. The Cape Verdeans display a wonderful cultural mix of Africa and Brazil, with a dash of Portugal. They are friendly, laid back and very tolerant. Our advice would be to travel light - and we mean really light. If you are staying on the main tourist destination of Sal, all you need during the day is beach wear, flip-flops, a sunhat and sunglasses. These are a must all year round - the sun is unbelievably hot even when it's cloudy. Outside of the hotels you will find it very difficult to get laundry cleaned, however with a temperature of at least 28c all year round washing and drying clothes is quick and easy to do. We would recommend you take your own good quality sunscreen as it is difficult to get and it is expensive. Pack insect/mosquito repellent too as again it's expensive to buy it there. Pop some sneakers or lightweight walking shoes in if you want to walk around the island.

Major hotels offer laptop connections. Public access is available at the offices of Cabo Verde Telecom. Privately-run business centres in the main towns offer e-mail, Internet and fax facilities.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Cape Verde are one of the two European standard electrical socket types: The "Type C" Europlug and the "Type E" and "Type F" Schuko. If your appliance's plug doesn't match the shape of these sockets, you will need a travel plug adapter in order to plug in. Travel plug adapters simply change the shape of your appliance's plug to match whatever type of socket you need to plug into. If it's crucial to be able to plug in no matter what, bring an adapter for all three types.

Electrical sockets (outlets) in Cape Verde usually supply electricity at between 220 and 240 volts AC. If you're plugging in an appliance that was built for 220-240 volt electrical input, or an appliance that is compatible with multiple voltages, then an adapter is all you need.

But travel plug adapters do not change the voltage, so the electricity coming through the adapter will still be the same 220-240 volts the socket is supplying.  If your appliance is not compatible for 220-240 volt elctrical output, a voltage converter will be necessary.