Frequently Asked Questions and Practical Information

Travel

How do we get there?

At present, there are direct flights from Gatwick and Manchester, which fly every Thursday. You can book these with Ocean Club Holidays as we are fully bonded with the CAA. The flight to Sal takes approximately five and a half hours. Transfers from the airport to your accommodation is by taxi and the taxi rank is just outside the arrivals terminal. Taxis are inexpensive and the journey takes about 15 minutes to Santa Maria, costing 10 to 15 Euros.

Is there a time difference?

Cape Verde is GMT -1hour during the winter and -2 hours in the summer.

Do I need a Visa?

All British Nationals require a visa to enter Cape Verde, which has to be presented on arrival in Sal. Although, at the moment, you can buy your Visa when you land, this can be time consuming. We recommend that you get your Visa before you go as we can’t guarantee how long the authorities will allow this. A full British 10 year passport is required for entry into Cape Verde, valid for at least 6 months after your date of arrival back in the UK.

Money

What’s the currency?

The currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo. It can only be obtained in the Islands. Euros are widely accepted and generally, there is a dual currency system. The exchange rate should be about 110 Cape Verdean Escudos to the Euro. You can also take travellers cheques. There are also cash machines in Santa Maria.

Communication

Can I use my mobile there and is there internet access?

Your mobile phone will work well…but your bill will be astronomical if you use it a lot as the rates are very dear…take my advice, be short on the phone. There is an internet cafe on one of the main ‘high streets’ off the square near the Calima Bar.

What language do they speak?

The official language of Cabo Verde is Portuguese, but the population speaks Creole. You can pretty much make yourself understood using Spanish or Italian and many people speak English.

Health

Do I require vaccination?

At the time our brochure was printed no vaccinations are required to visit Cape Verde. However as requirements can change, please check with your GP for the latest update. There are no compulsory innoculations for entry into Cape Verde from the UK, but you should consult your doctor regarding medication. We would advise that you take medicines for dehydration, small ailments, stomach upsets, insect bites and cuts, along with mosquito repellent and sun tan creams, as such items can be expensive and not always available in Cape Verde. A Department of Health leaflet ‘Health Advice to Travellers’ is available free from your GP, or by phoning FREE on 0800 555 777. Please remember to pack any prescription medication in your suitcase not your hand luggage. For further information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office Advice visit the Foreign & Commonwealth Office website.

Is the water drinkable?

We recommend that you drink bottled water.

Supermarkets, Restaurants, Bars and Nightlife

Supermarkets are dotted all around Santa Maria. Most are small but getting better all the time, selling all the basics you would expect. There is a bakery for lovely fresh bread in the morning – as you walk out of the Porto Antigo complex, cross the road inland and take the next left and its just 50 yards down the road near the Banana ladies, get some bananas, they look a bit beaten up sometimes, but they’re nice.

Are there plenty of bars and restaurants?

There are plenty of good restaurants. Fresh fish is available in abundance and meat is also of good quality. Try the local Fogo white wine, it goes well with fish. Although you can just turn up, we recommend you book for evening meals. Here a few good ones:

The Porto Antigo restaurant and bar is popular and enjoys a great location perched on the waters edge. Serving bar style food, including pizzas, it is informal and can be enjoyed both day and evening - sunset drinks are a must here!

Odjo d’Agua restaurant next to Porto Antigo enjoys the same wonderful location. Good food for lunch or dinner. There is live local music in the evening (it’s good too!). Book for dinner as it gets very busy.

Beach Club Restaurant (Morabeza Hotel) – Situated on the beach just past the pier, this is a fairly upmarket restaurant in a great location. You can rent beach mattresses here so if you want to spoil yourselves, you can lie around all day eating and drinking.

Restaurant Atlantico – Walk down the promenade past the ‘Beach Club’ and the yellow ‘Funana’. Situated on the beach, the Restaurant Atlantico serves good value set lunches based on local cuisine and nice pizzas in a laid back atmosphere. It smartens up in the evening to serve great fish dishes.

Chez Pasties – Very small restaurant situated in a cosy well decorated alleyway one street inland from the square. Good food based on local fish with local, French and Italian influences and run by a young Italian couple who care about their food.

Leonardo’s – Smart Italian run restaurant. It looks a bit unkempt from the outside but has real charm inside, set partly within an open courtyard. Book. Located down the side street between the Chill Out Bar and Calema Bar in the centre of Santa Maria.

The Tam Tam bar is nice, run by a friendly Irish couple, Kieron and Amy. Say hello from Alex and Mark. They serve some food too.

Chill out Bar and Calema Bar etc. – Local bars on the main road near the square. Taste the local culture. Don’t be in a rush here, the waitresses aren’t – No stress, as the local saying goes.

Pirata Nightclub – As you enter Santa Maria, it’s on your left. If you want a late one, this is apparently where to go. I’ve never been but I’ve heard some great stories from people the morning after!

The Bob Marley Bar – Small local bar for the brave and adventurous.