Risk level

Safety and security

Crime

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and bag snatching, occurs.

Theft occurs frequently:

• during festivals and street fairs
• on beaches
• on hillside staircases connecting neighborhoods
• in crowded outdoor markets, especially:
• on the island of São Vicente, including Mindelo
• on the island of Santiago, including Praia

During your trip:

• keep your personal belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, in a secure place 
• don’t show signs of affluence or wear expensive jewellery 
• don’t carry large sums of cash or  valuables unnecessarily 
• be aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist areas 

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs, even in daylight. Incidences include: 

• burglaries of homes and sailboats
• assault, including sexual assault
• armed robbery

During your stay:

• be aware of your surroundings at all times 
• travel in groups 
• pay attention to people walking behind you 
• don't resist an attack 

Road safety

Main roads are usually paved with cobblestones but can be narrow, winding and poorly lit.

Drivers and pedestrians should exercise caution, particularly after dark. Organized roadside assistance is not widely available.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations can occur.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Swimming

Strong currents and powerful waves make swimming and water sports dangerous at some locations. Drownings occur every year, especially in Praia. Be vigilant on beaches and never swim alone.

Tourism infrastructure

Tourism infrastructure, including hotels, restaurants and transportation networks, is limited outside big cities

If you are planning to travel to remote areas: 

• keep a supply of water, food, fuel and an emergency kit on hand 
• bring a cell phone, charger and local emergency numbers
• only use reputable tour operators 

Maritime transportation

Sea conditions can be treacherous.

Mariners should seek local advice prior to travel, particularly to the islands of Brava and Fogo. Advise local ports of arrival and departure times and provide relatives with your itinerary.

Public transportation

Intercity van service can be hazardous due to the bad driving habits of local residents.

Taxis hailed from hotels are generally reliable.

In Praia, city buses and taxis are reliable, clean and in good condition.

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

General safety information

You should travel in a group, particularly after dark.

Tourist facilities are limited. Living conditions differ from island to island.

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from the Cabo Verde authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules.

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 30 days
Business visa: required
Student visa: required

Other entry requirements

You must complete the pre-registration form:

• at least 5 days before your arrival in Cabo Verde and pay the airport security tax online
• at the airport when you pay the airport security tax

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section).

Health

Routine vaccines

Be sure that your routine vaccinations, as per your province or territory, are up-to-date before travelling, regardless of your destination.

Some of these vaccinations include measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, polio, varicella (chickenpox), influenza and others.

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

You may be at risk for preventable diseases while travelling in this destination. Talk to a travel health professional about which medications or vaccines may be right for you, based on your destination and itinerary. 

Safe food and water precautions

Many illnesses can be caused by eating food or drinking beverages contaminated by bacteria, parasites, toxins, or viruses, or by swimming or bathing in contaminated water.

• Learn more about food and water precautions to take to avoid getting sick by visiting our eat and drink safely abroad page. Remember: Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it!
• Avoid getting water into your eyes, mouth or nose when swimming or participating in activities in freshwater (streams, canals, lakes), particularly after flooding or heavy rain. Water may look clean but could still be polluted or contaminated.
• Avoid inhaling or swallowing water while bathing, showering, or swimming in pools or hot tubs. 

Insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by the bites of infected insects such as mosquitoes, ticks, fleas or flies. When travelling to areas where infected insects may be present:

• Use insect repellent (bug spray) on exposed skin
• Cover up with light-coloured, loose clothes made of tightly woven materials such as nylon or polyester
• Minimize exposure to insects
• Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in buildings that are not fully enclosed

To learn more about how you can reduce your risk of infection and disease caused by bites, both at home and abroad, visit our insect bite prevention page.

Find out what types of insects are present where you’re travelling, when they’re most active, and the symptoms of the diseases they spread.

Animal precautions

Some infections, such as rabies and influenza, can be shared between humans and animals. Certain types of activities may increase your chance of contact with animals, such as travelling in rural or forested areas, camping, hiking, and visiting wet markets (places where live animals are slaughtered and sold) or caves.

Travellers are cautioned to avoid contact with animals, including dogs, livestock (pigs, cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats, and to avoid eating undercooked wild game.

Closely supervise children, as they are more likely to come in contact with animals.

Person-to-person infections

Stay home if you’re sick and practise proper cough and sneeze etiquette, which includes coughing or sneezing into a tissue or the bend of your arm, not your hand. Reduce your risk of colds, the flu and other illnesses by:

•  washing your hands often
• avoiding or limiting the amount of time spent in closed spaces, crowded places, or at large-scale events (concerts, sporting events, rallies)
• avoiding close physical contact with people who may be showing symptoms of illness 

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox are spread through blood and bodily fluids; use condoms, practise safe sex, and limit your number of sexual partners. Check with your local public health authority pre-travel to determine your eligibility for mpox vaccine.  

Medical services and facilities

Basic medical procedures are available in Mindelo and Praia.

You may need medical evacuation if you need specialized care, have sustained serious injury or become severely ill.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

There are severe penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Medication

Foreigners have been arrested for carrying unlabelled pills.

For a complete list of prohibited items, contact the Embassy of the Republic of Cabo Verde.

Foreign diplomatic missions and consulates in Canada

Driving

You should carry an International Driving Permit.

International Driving Permit

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Cabo Verde.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Cabo Verde, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Cabo Verde.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Cabo Verde by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Cabo Verde to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Money

The currency is the Cabo Verde escudo (CVE).

Some hotels and restaurants in Praia will convert U.S. dollars and euros into local currency. Major credit cards are accepted in some hotels and restaurants.

Natural disasters and climate

The climate is dry and windy.

Cabo Verde is very hot and receives little rain throughout the year.

The rainy season usually occurs from August to October, but there has been a severe drought for several years. Fogo receives more rain than the other islands.

Natural disasters are possible due to regional volcanic activity. Follow the instructions of local authorities, including evacuation orders, and monitor local media reports.