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São Vicente
Adventure
Beach
Family
Nature
Dive in turquoise waters
Hot weather is constant in this tropical region. Without leaving the capital city of Mindelo, Laginha beach is a first option. Not far away, you’ll find Calhau beach and the crystal clear water of Salamansa. And the bay of Praia Grande — which forms a kind of natural pool with a view to the volcano foothills.
Listen to the morna
In Mindelo, music is played live in bars, clubs and even on the streets, such as the Amílcar Cabral square. The island is home to the internationally known music festival of Baía das Gatas. And also Mindelact, a theatre event that proves Cape Verde’s importance in performing arts.
Culture and Business
Before leaving
Make sure you have your passport and boarding pass with you. Depending on your country of origin, take care of your visa or other necessary documentation ahead of time. Take all the necessary vaccinations and medication, if applicable.
Climate
The climate in Cape Verde is arid or semi-arid, with temperatures between 20ºC and 25ºC.
Time zone
GMT - 1
Geography & politics
Cape Verde consists of an archipelago made up of 10 volcanic islands in the Atlantic Ocean, 570 km off the west coast of Africa. It is a semi-presidentialist republic, within the framework of a representative democracy.
Tipping & paying
The country's currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), which is indexed to the Euro. It is customary to leave a tip in restaurants, depending on the quality of the service provided. It is advisable to always have local currency with you so that you don’t depend on places that accept credit cards.
Languages & useful phrases
The official language of Cape Verde is Portuguese. Cape Verdean Creole is used colloquially and is the mother tongue of most of the population. Some useful phrases in Portuguese are: “olá” = hello, “por favor” = please; “muito obrigado/a” = thank you; “desculpe” = sorry.
What you should do
Ask openly about family and everyday life. Cape Verdeans like to get to know the people they work with well. They are a generous and welcoming people who enjoy and take pride in inviting others to share a meal in their home.
What you shouldn’t do
Cape Verdeans are open and communicative people—don’t be intimidated by the physical proximity and enthusiastic way of communicating.
What to wear
For business meetings, go for a formal appearance. Due to the hot and humid weather, you can wear more practical clothes in casual occasions, such as a short-sleeved shirts and pants for men and a light dress or skirt and blouse for women.
First impressions
In business, a handshake is the most common form of greeting. In an informal context, it is common to greet with two kisses on the cheeks when you first meet someone, but between two men the normal greeting is a handshake.