Travel

Getting to Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde sits in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa. There are no direct flights from East Asia, so you'll connect through Europe or Africa. Here's everything you need to plan the trip — routes, entry rules, and vaccinations.

Please note: This page is a general planning guide. Visa rules, entry conditions, and vaccination requirements can change and vary by nationality. Always confirm the latest details with your government's travel advisory, the official Cabo Verde EASE site, and your airline before you travel.

✈️Getting there: no direct flights

There are no direct flights from East Asia to Cabo Verde. Total travel time is roughly 20–30 hours including connections. There are two broad routes.

Route 1: via Europe (most common) ~20–28 hrs

Asia → major European hub → Cabo Verde

Connecting through Lisbon is the classic option — Portugal's flag carrier (TAP Air Portugal) runs frequent flights from Lisbon to several Cape Verdean islands. From Asia you'd typically connect once more (via Paris, Frankfurt, Istanbul, Dubai, etc.) to reach Lisbon. Thanks to historic ties with Portugal, this route has the most options and is the easiest for first-timers.

Route 2: via Africa ~22–30 hrs

Asia → Istanbul etc. → Casablanca / Dakar → Cabo Verde

You can also route through Casablanca (Morocco) or Dakar (Senegal), for example with Royal Air Maroc. It can be less direct than Europe, but may suit certain fares or schedules. Important: if you pass through a yellow fever risk country such as Senegal, a yellow fever vaccination certificate becomes mandatory (see below).

💡 Main gateways: International flights mainly serve four islands — Sal (Amílcar Cabral Intl, SID), Santiago/Praia (Nelson Mandela Intl, RAI), Boa Vista, and São Vicente. For a beach-resort trip, Sal or Boa Vista are convenient; for city and culture, head for Praia. Between islands you'll use domestic flights or ferries.

📝Entry: EASE pre-registration & visas

Check your passport validity
You need at least 6 months' validity remaining on entry.
Complete EASE pre-registration online
Required for all travellers (aged 2+) entering for tourism, business, etc. Apply on the official site ease.gov.cv at least 5 business days before arrival. You'll pay the Airport Security Tax (TSA) during registration.
No visa for most short tourist stays
Citizens of many countries can enter visa-free for short stays once EASE is done; the permitted length depends on nationality. If you're not eligible for visa-free entry, obtain a visa in advance from a Cabo Verde embassy or consulate.
Enter via an approved port
Enter through an EASE-authorised airport such as Praia, Sal, São Vicente (Mindelo), or Boa Vista.

⚠️ Important change from 1 July 2026: If you have not completed EASE pre-registration and cannot show proof, you'll be charged double the Airport Security Tax (TSA) at the border. Always register online before departure. Visa and entry rules also differ by nationality and can change — verify the current conditions for your own passport on the official site.

💉Vaccinations: watch the yellow fever certificate

Cabo Verde is not a yellow fever endemic area, and there are generally no compulsory vaccinations. However, depending on your route, a yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) can be mandatory on entry, so check this alongside your flight plan.

⚠️ When a yellow fever certificate is required: Travellers aged 1 year and over arriving from (or transiting through) a country with risk of yellow fever transmission must show an International Certificate of Vaccination (yellow card). This applies if you route through Senegal (Dakar) or other yellow fever countries in West Africa. The certificate is valid from 10 days after vaccination and is now valid for life. The vaccine is only given at designated centres in many countries and often requires an appointment, so plan well ahead if considering an African routing. If you travel only via Europe and avoid yellow fever risk countries, the certificate is usually not required.

Recommended vaccinations (optional, for general travellers):

Vaccine	Notes
Hepatitis A	Spread via contaminated food/water; widely recommended for travellers.
Hepatitis B	Consider based on length of stay and medical risk.
Tetanus / Diphtheria / Pertussis	Core routine vaccines — top up if your boosters have expired.
Typhoid	Consider for rural food/water exposure or longer stays.
Rabies	For long-stay travellers who may contact animals.

🦟 Don't forget mosquito protection: Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue and chikungunya occur in Cabo Verde. Bring repellent and cover up. Malaria risk is considered low, but consult a travel clinic if concerned. Because vaccination needs depend on your health and itinerary, always get personalised advice from a medical provider.

🌤️Best season, money & essentials

Item	Key points
Best season	The dry season (roughly Nov–Jun) is most comfortable. Mindelo's Carnival around February is a highlight.
Currency	Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro; euros are often accepted.
Time zone	UTC−1, no daylight saving.
Language	Portuguese is official; Kriolu (Creole) is the everyday language. English is understood in some tourist areas.
Power	220V, plug types C/E. Check adapters/converters for your devices.
Water	Tap water is not suitable for drinking — use bottled water.

Detailed island-by-island guides and inter-island ferry/flight tips are coming soon.

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