Flying with TACV:
 There are no direct flights to the Island of Santiago as yet, but TACV have recently announced that they hope to fly from Birmingham to Santiago, the first flights will commence this Autumn.
In the mean time if you want to fly direct to Santiago with TACV you have to board the flight from either Lisbon or Amsterdam.
Lisbon is the favoured location as the flights are more frequent as opposed to Amsterdam which is just once a week.
This therefore first involves taking a short flight with one of the budget airlines such as Easyjet, Flybe, BA or TAP to either Lisbon or Amsterdam.
The total return cost is approximately £450 + £100.
If you're thinking of Island hopping when you get there and you've bought an international ticket with TACV, you're entitled to purchase the "Cape Verde Airpass", which gives you discounted internal flights.
This has to be booked in advance.
Destinations: Sal, Sao Vicente, Santiago, Boa Vista, Maio, Fogo, Sao Nicolau
Valid: maximum 21 days
Minimum number of coupons per person: 02 coupons
Maximum number of coupons per person: none
Coupon: 01 coupon is good for one way flight
Price per coupon: euro 49.00
Reservations can be made with Cape Verde Travel in the UK or direct at the TACV Lisbon office or with Cape Verde Holidays in Amsterdam.
Flying with Astraeus:
 Astraeus have recently withdrawn their flights from London and Manchester to Sal but it is expected with the "open skies" policy that Cape Verde operates, more independent airlines will compete for the ever growing custom.
Flying with TAP:
 TAP fly direct to Sal and Santiago from Lisbon so a budget airline from the UK to Lisbon will be required.
TAP, Easyjet or BA are usually good value.
On arrival at Sal another flight will then be required with TACV to get to Santiago.
Bookings can be made online with TAP.
This is probably the longest way as you will require 3 separate flights.
Cheapest flights are approximately £100 + £390 + £122.
Recently TAP have started to fly direct from Lisbon to Santiago thus eliminating the internal flight from Sal to Santiago, prices are again from about £390 return.
Flying with Thomson:
 For over a year now Thomson have been flying direct from London Gatwick and Manchester to Sal.
These are the most competitively priced flights, especially if you're lucky enough to get one of their special deals or late bookings.
Prices normally start from approximately £345 inclusive of taxes but deals are occasionally available for just £200!
Again
a short flight to Santiago with TACV is then required - there are several daily flights. Costs are approximately £122 return.
Getting around the Islands:
TACV operate regular flights between the Islands but it is advisable to pre-book as flights are popular.
Halcyon Air have recently started flights between the Islands, they run daily flights between the three most populated islands of Santiago, Sal and Sao Vicente, as well as four weekly flights to Boavista Island and two flights per week between Sal, Santiago's capital Praia and the volcanic Fogo islands.
Early indications are that the flights are very competitive.
Prices can be viewed here - Halcyonair Prices
Timetable can be viewed on line here - Halcyonair timetable
There are two established ferry routes between the islands. At present, a daily ferry service operates between the port of Mindelo, Sao Vicente and the island of Santo Antao. A second regular ferry service connects the islands of Santiago, Fogo and Brava. Ferry services operate primarily for cargo, supply and demand and therefore can be inconsistent.
In July 2007, two high speed Hydrofoils entered service connecting the Islands with a regular high speed service.
The first vessel, baptized Auto Jet, has a 222-passenger capacity and connects São Vicente to Santo Antão two or three times per day. The same vessel also ferry's passengers between São Vicente and São Nicolau twice a week.
The other hydrofoil, the Jet Caribe, with a 313-passenger capacity, is working the Praia-Maio-Boa Vista-Sal route on Sundays and connects Praia to Fogo and Brava on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Passenger ticket prices vary between 1,300 escudos (£8) for the trip between São Vicente and São Nicolau and 4,890 escudos (£30) for the trip between Praia and São Vicente. The Moura Company administrator describes the vessels as “safe and adequate for ocean navigation,” and says that they have proven their effectiveness in waters similar to Cape Verde’s.
Unfortunately the Hydofoils have been unreliable and don't always run so you need to check before planning your journey, but in 2009 another ferry service is planned.
The first of three ferries ordered by Cape Verdeans resident in the United States to provide sea links between Cape Verde’s islands is due to be delivered at the end of 2009, according to Cape Verdean news agency Inforpress.
The agency added that the announcement was made this week by the promoters of the initiative after signing a protocol with the government authorising the investors to test the ferry for safety in Cape Verde’s waters.
If the test is satisfactory, construction of the first vessel will begin and be concluded within 12 months for an experimental operation in the south of the country, between the islands of Brava, Fogo, Santiago and Maio.
The project, worth an estimated 20 million euros, includes three ferries. One of the vessels will stay on Brava island, another on S. Vicente linking the windward islands and the third will remain in the city of Praia to link Sal with S. Nicolau.
The first ferry will have the capacity to carry 102 passengers, 16 small and 2 large trucks, with containers of 20 feet in length and is expected to travel between Brava and Fogo in 20 minutes and Brava to Praia in three hours.
The local transport to take you around the island is usually provided by 'aluguer'. Usually in a form of minibus or pick up truck. Commonly used by the locals and visitors and the main form of Cape Verde transport. This is a great way to get around the Islands and is inexpensive. Car hire is available on most islands and should be booked in advance whenever possible. Please be aware, the standards can vary and road conditions on some islands are still in a primitive state. Some roads, especially in the rural areas require 4 wheel drive vehicles.
Taxis are reliable and inexpensive for short journeys.
Longer journeys can work out to be more costly.
There are several rental companies on the Island but it is worth pre-booking where ever possible.
It is worth remembering that although new roads are being built, particularly around the capital, other roads around the Island can be in a poor state.
Health:
There are no vaccination requirements for entry into Cape Verde, but it is recommended that you are inoculated against cholera, typhoid fever, polio and Hepatitis B.
On Santiago there is a very limited risk of malaria during the rainy months, which are between September and November - normally there is not a problem with mosquitoes.
Tablets are therefore not recommended but prompt investigation of fever is advised instead of prophylaxis in view of the low risk.
It is worth remembering if you're a blood donor and you have visited Santiago within these months you will have to wait at least 6 months from your return to the UK before you can donate again.
Water is unsafe to drink without prior
treatment, so bottled water is recommended.
There are good hospitals on Santiago but medical facilities can be limited, so health insurance is strongly advised, with coverage for emergency repatriation. There is a new hospital and new private health clinics being built on Sal.
Before your journey it's prudent to check the Foreign and Commonwealth travel advice site - Government Travel Advice
Visa Info:
All visitors to Cape Verde require visas.
These can be purchased at the airport for €25 per person.
You need to have Euros (cash) readily available as the authorities do not accept sterling.
There can be long queues at the airport for the visas so it is important to have the correct money in Euros at hand.
Hopefully as Cape Verde gets more popular, the officials at the airport will get more efficient.
Banking / Money:
The currency is the Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) 1CVE = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CVE5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CVE200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.The Cape Verde escudo has been pegged to the Euro, which has helped to stabilize exchange rates. (1Euro = 110.265CVE)
Cape Verde is very much a cash economy. Credit cards are only accepted at the larger hotels.
Travelers' cheques or cash can be exchanged at the banks.
It is recommended to bring Euros as the banks will charge commission to change Sterling to Euros and then to Escudos.
There are a number of ATM's around Praia including several at the airport.
It is strongly recommended to use the Nationwide FlexAccount Debit Card where no commission is charged.
If you use any other debit card you will be charged commission - check with your bank how much they charge, it could be up to £10 every transaction.
Safety and Security:
Crime rates in Cape Verde are low but there have been incidents of muggings involving British nationals. You should avoid carrying valuables in public and remain vigilant at all times.
Sambala is a gated community and has it's own security guards making it a safe environment at all times.
It is recommended not to walk around Praia at night, far better to use taxis. |
