When to Go to Cape Verde, Climate and Best Time for Vacation

The Cape Verde archipelago is a tropical paradise: when is the best time to visit?

When to go to Cape Verde? Cape Verde is a country in West Africa made up of an archipelago of 10 volcanic islands (one of which is uninhabited) in the Atlantic Ocean, off the coast of Senegal.

The first islands of the archipelago were discovered in 1456 by an Italian slave trader, Alvise Cadamosto, and the same year some navigators in service of King Alfonso V of Portugal landed on the islands describing them as uninhabited.

In 1462, King Alfonso V appointed Antonio da Noli as governor of the islands with the task of colonizing them and officially recognized their discovery in his name.

The islands are divided into two groups: to the north are the Ilhas do Barlavento (windward islands): Santo Antao, Sao Vicente, Santa Luzia (uninhabited), Sao Nicolau, Sal, and Boa Vista, and to the south, the Ilhas do Sotavento (leeward islands) are Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava.

On all the islands, the landscape is almost lunar, due to their volcanic origins, and the territory is quite arid but no less beautiful and fascinating.

From the hills, breathtaking views can be admired of beaches and cliffs characterized by crystal-clear waters in a thousand shades of blue that have captivated and drawn more tourists and visitors in recent years.

The capital of the archipelago is Praia, located on the island of Santiago, the largest and most 'African' island of the archipelago.

The city develops around the bay and on the hill, the Plateau, which rises on a plateau overlooking the entire ocean and hosts offices, shops, banks, and shopping centers. Praia is a vital point for the state's economy, thanks to its important and historic port.

It is a 'colorful' city made up of several dynamic and charming neighborhoods with markets, bars, and restaurants nestled among alleyways. The capital also has an international airport that connects the islands to each other via air taxi and to the rest of the world. Internal travel is also possible through ferries that shuttle between the islands. The most famous beaches on the island are Perraia Baixo and San Francisco Bay.

The island of Santiago, along with the island of Sal and the island of Boa Vista, are the three most recognized as tourist destinations.

Sal Island (Island of Salt), with its wonderful white beaches, warm and crystal-clear waters is an ideal destination for sea lovers. Here you can practice snorkeling and other water sports, as well as enjoy beautiful excursions in the salt flats and in the villages that dot the area.

Boa Vista Island, on the other hand, is characterized by lunar landscapes and dunes, but also by beautiful beaches with turquoise waters.

Here, every year, sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach. The largest center on the island is Sal Rei, a place for nightlife and comfortable resorts.

When to Go to Cape Verde

Month
Average Temperature (°C)
Precipitation (mm)
Climate Notes
Recommended period for vacation
January
21-25
1-3 mm
Dry and pleasant, windy
Ideal for vacations and water activities
February
21-25
1-3 mm
Dry and windy
Great for windsurfing and kitesurfing
March
22-25
1-3 mm
Dry and less windy
Ideal for all activities
April
22-26
1-5 mm
Dry and warm
Great for hiking and beaches
May
23-26
1-5 mm
Dry, temperatures rising
Ideal for beach vacations
June
24-27
1-5 mm
Dry and warm
Great for the sea
July
24-28
10-20 mm
Slight humidity and first isolated rains
Good but the start of the wet season
August
25-29
70-90 mm
Start of the rainy season, hot and humid
Avoid due to frequent rain
September
26-30
100-150 mm
Heat spikes and heavy rain
Avoid due to rainy weather
October
26-29
50-80 mm
End of the rainy season, hot and humid
Possible towards the end of the month
November
24-28
5-10 mm
Warm and dry climate
Great for vacations
December
22-26
1-5 mm
Dry and cool, pleasant temperatures
Great for Christmas vacations

Climate of Cape Verde

The climate of the archipelago can be described as tropical, with average temperatures being high throughout the year, around 24 degrees in January and 30 degrees in September. Sea water temperatures range from 24 to 28 degrees.

In the Ilhas do Barlavento, the climate is drier, while in the south, in the Ilhas do Sotavento, it is more humid, with scarce rainfall throughout the year.

The archipelago is characterized by just two seasons: the dry season from November to July with cooler temperatures and the wet season from August to October with higher temperatures.

Trade winds blow over the islands year-round, with a brief break in the summer.

Best Time to Visit

The islands of Cape Verde, thanks to their warm climate, can be visited all year round. However, the best time to visit varies depending on which of the two groups of islands you decide to go to.

The best time to visit the Sotavento islands is in winter, while the months of June and July are optimal for visiting the Barlavento islands, as there is no intense summer heat and a lower risk of hurricanes during this period.