Island, Cabo Verde
Boa Vista
Quiet dune-backed island with empty beaches, turtle nesting and big resorts, suited to beach rest and kite or wind sports. Small town life, long dirt drives, limited food and nightlife outside Sal Rei.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,020–1,630Comfortable, one person · CVE100,000–160,000Details
- Value for money75/100Better value than 74% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–AprWarmest: Sep, 27°CDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledTap water is desalinated and not reliable for drinking.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: limitedDetails
- Doctor's visit$20–51Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundTaxiWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardMixed: cards and cashCards at resorts and larger restaurants; carry cash for taxis, small shops and beach bars.Details
Where to stay in Boa Vista
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Sal Rei | The only real town: guesthouses, restaurants, supermarkets, a pier |
| Chaves Beach (Praia de Chaves) | Resorts and long beach walks next to town |
| Estoril and Santa Mónica | Remote beaches, dunes and quiet resort stays |
Apps that work in Boa Vista
No ride-hailing apps work here; see the taxi note below.
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- Taxis: No ride apps. Taxis wait outside the airport and in Sal Rei; hotels will book rides to remote beaches and agree return pickups.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Cabo Verde.
- Mixed: cards and cash Cards at resorts and larger restaurants; carry cash for taxis, small shops and beach bars. There are a few ATMs in Sal Rei and they sometimes run dry.
- Currency: Escudo (CVE). US$1 ≈ CVE98.00 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs (SISP/Vinti4) dispense escudos in towns; foreign-card fees apply and limits are modest.
- Tipping: Not expected; round up or leave 10% in restaurants.
- Paying by phone: Apple and Google Pay are not widely supported; use cards or cash.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Complete the EASE traveller pre-registration at least 5 days before arrival; it includes payment of the airport security fee (TSA).
- From 1 July 2026, travellers without completed pre-registration pay double the TSA fee at the border.
- Visitors can stay up to 30 days visa-free; passport needs 6 months validity; yellow fever certificate if arriving from risk countries.
Emergency numbers
Police 132 · Ambulance 130 · Fire 131 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
CV Móvel and Unitel T+ SIMs at airports and shops; passport required, roughly 1,000–2,500 CVE for data.
More places in Cabo Verde
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.