Travel to Cape Verde & Covid-19

currently (as of 1 June 2021)

Why travel to Cape Verde in 2021 ?


Some elements of response:
– Since the global shutdown at the end of March 2020, the country’s borders have been open to everyone, including holidaymakers, since October 12, 2020. Unlike other tropical destinations, airline tickets to Cape Verde remain reasonably priced.
– An authentic country with a still « confidential » tourism, especially in the rural and mountainous islands. Simple and warm people, often disinterested by the commercial aspect. In short, many beautiful human encounters each time.
_ A country with a dry tropical climate all year round, at the gates of Europe ( 4 hours by plane from Lisbon)

– Cape Verde is a country that rarely experiences health problems due to its remoteness from continents. This country has successfully managed rare epidemics for several decades (see Dengue, 2010). The reasons are the geographical configuration (an archipelago, easy to manage clusters), the rigour of the institutions and the studious application of international recommendations, the virtual absence of corruption, awareness campaigns that are always successful (good receptivity of the population) and « hygienism » environmental -now cultural – in a large majority of Cape Verdeans.

  • To enter Cape Verde, only the 72-hour PCR test is required. No quarantine upon arrival on Cape Verdean territory . The « compelling » reason for your trip is not solicited.


  • Within the archipelago :

    The archipelago is still under the « Estado de Calamidade » regime, which means:
    – Wearing a mask (« mascara obrigatorio ») indoors and on public roads, except « individual physical activity » (« atividade fisica individual » used in the article of law « Boletim oficial do 29/10/2020 , lei n°102/IX/2020 »). This means that all individual sports, including walking, are allowed without wearing a mask, provided that basic rules are followed (physical distancing, not coughing heavily or spitting -« etiqueta respiratoria ». In fact, all agglomeration areas (cities) are subject to masking. Elsewhere, no. However, remain vigilant (potential fine of $15,000 cve/ €136)
    – Closed clubs and balls.
    Restaurants and bars close at 23:00

     All cultural, recreational, sporting and recreational activities not compatible with social distancing rules, including in a private setting, are prohibited until further notice. Only private meetings limited to a maximum of 10 people are allowed in the family setting;
     The opening hours of shops, restaurants and bars are restricted. Beach access is allowed only from 6 am to 6 pm.
  • In addition, with the exception of journeys between the islands of São Vicente and Santo Antão and excluding children under the age of seven, certain inter-island journeys are conditioned by the presentation of an antigenic or serological test of less than 72 hours, with a negative result, which can be carried out in health delegations (delegacias de saúde), at a cost of 1,000 escudos, or in private laboratories approved by the Cape Verdean health authorities (free price)

All travellers leaving Cape Verde by air must present a negative virological test (PCR) of less than 72 hours at the airport entrance and then at boarding.  This obligation does not apply to children under 7 years of age, provided that it is not required by the country of destination.
PCR tests cost 6,500 escudos (€58.95) and must be booked online on the platform https://agendamento.covid19.cv/. They can be performed:
 in Praia: in the health centres (centros de saúde) of Tira Chapéu, Achada de Santo António, Fazenda (PMI), Achada Grande Trás and Ponta d’Água;
in Cidade Velha and in Picos (island of Santiago): in the health centre (centro de saúde) of the locality;
Tarrafal, Assomada, Pedra Badejo , in São Domingos, João Teves and Calheta de São Miguel (island of Santiago): to the health delegation (delegacia de saúde) of the municipality;
in Mindelo: at the training centre of the Cape Verdean Football Federation (next to the Aderito Sena Stadium);
in Paúl, in Porto Novo and in Ribeira Grande (island of Santo Antão): to the health delegation (delegacia de saúde).
On the island of Santiago, these screening centres are only open Monday to Friday, with the exception of those in Fazenda (PMI) in Praia and Calheta de São Miguel, also open on weekends.
In addition, the Cape Verdean authorities also publish a list of private laboratories authorised to carry out PCR tests (PDF, 164KB, in Portuguese)

All cultural, recreational, sporting and recreational activities not compatible with social distancing rules, including in a private setting, are prohibited until further notice. Only private meetings limited to a maximum of 10 people are allowed in the family setting;
the opening hours of shops, restaurants and bars are restricted. Beach use is allowed only from 6 am to 6 pm.