Hostels in Cape Verde

Cape Verde is an archipelago of islands located just off Africa’s Northwest coast. The country is famous for the culture of its people, its music, and the beaches on the islands. The largest island in the archipelago is where the capital Praia is. Santiago is its name. This island is home to a fortress on a cliffside as well.

The escudo is the main currency of Cape Verde. If you are planning on traveling here, having euros in your pockets is the best way to do so. Most of the businesses on the islands accept euros as a form of payment. Most small towns and larger cities have ATMs that accept VISA credit cards. You can also usually cash travellers’ cheques at most banks in most currencies.

Staying on the islands is an experience in itself. There are hostels to be found on all the populated islands. Hotels and inns are also very common, especially along the coastlines of the islands. Santiago alone has a wealth of places to stay regardless of how large your group is or what type of accommodation you need.

Travelling to Cape Verde can be done at any time of the year. The Fall is the best time for sunny days outdoors, whereas the winter and spring months are great for surfing. Summer is the best time for turtle watching, with whale watching in the months before that.

The archipelago of Cape Verde contains 10 islands including the capital island of Santiago. The island of Santo Antao has sugarcane plantations and great hiking paths. Sao Vicente is rich in culture and diversity. Mindelo is the nightlife capital of the country, full of bars and nightclubs. Boa Vista has desert dunes and soft sandy beaches. The entire country is populated by hospitable natives who play the famous music of the region.

Santo Antao is an island you must visit if you stay in Cape Verde. It is filled with canyons, valleys, and gorges. It has some of the best hiking trails out there. While it doesn’t look green or lush, hiking into the interior of the island leads to greener valleys, forests and tropical flora.

Sal is the other island you should visit. It is the best for surfing and more modern life. You can ignore the tourists and take advantage of the happening nightlife, the many restaurants, the sandy beaches, and the exciting water sports. There is an international airport bordering the town of Espargos, although you should try to stay at a hostel near the beach in Santa Maria.

Other places to visit in Cape Verde include the Praia de Estoril, a beach on the island of Boa Vista. It is a short walk to the south of Sal Rei. There are beach bars, restaurants and gear shops that sell surfing equipment, kayaks, and lessons.

If you’re not the adventurous type, you can visit the Museu Municipal in Sao Filipe. It is an old refurbished colonial house with photographs, musical instruments, and other artefacts from the history of the island. Other museums include the Sala-Museu Amilcar Cabral, in Praia. Made in memory of Amilcar Cabral, a guerilla freedom fighter, it is a monument to his cause and a tribute to his death.

Handwritten by local expert for Cape Verde hostels Jakob Lombardi