Cape Verde Country Report

Cape Verde has a stable democratic political system with no significant risk of political violence or civil unrest and no current threat of conflict. The primary threats to foreign travelers come from criminal activity, particularly petty theft, and road traffic collisions. Violent crime has also been on the rise in recent years, notably in Praia, Mindelo, Boa Vista and Sal, but remains relatively uncommon. The wet season typically runs from August to October and can cause significant disruption to travel on and between the islands due to storm-damaged roads and dangerous sea conditions. Infrastructure is poor on some of the smaller islands but generally better on Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista and Sao Vicente and good in tourist areas. Malaria is a health concern for travelers in Cape Verde and the country has been assessed as having a risk of Zika transmission but the threat from both is generally low. Medical facilities and pharmacies are limited and some medical supplies and pharmaceuticals may be unavailable.

With the growth of tourism and a rise in foreign business travelers, there has been an increase in criminal activity in Praia and Mindelo, as well as an increase in burglaries and muggings on the main tourist islands of Sal and Boa Vista. However, the threat from violent crime remains relatively low and foreign nationals are rarely affected. There have been concerns over the possibility of Islamist militant groups using Cape Verde for transit, refuge, recruitment, and training purposes but the risk of attacks on the islands is low. Protests occur sporadically in Cape Verde but are usually announced in advance and generally remain peaceful.

There are no major safety concerns regarding air travel in Cape Verde, although several of the smaller islands do not have airports and storms can cause disruption during the rainy season.

The country's road network is extensive, particularly on the island of Santiago, and traffic tends to be light but major urban centers can be more congested. Main roads are usually paved but secondary ones can be narrow, winding and unsurfaced.

Communications infrastructure is generally good, although mobile network coverage varies and can be poor in remote areas.

Cape Verde has an arid tropical climate and generally experiences warm temperatures year-round, although the maritime climate means that the islands generally remain slightly cooler than countries in mainland West Africa. The rainy season runs August-October and hurricanes often form in the waters around the Cape Verde Islands during this period, although they rarely threaten life and property. However, torrential rains can cause flooding and landslides in some areas. During the winter, dust storms from the Sahara can form dense clouds and disrupt air travel December-Februrary, especially on the island of Boavista. Sea conditions around Cape Verde can also present hazards to travelers.

Notable health-related concerns stem from mosquito-borne diseases, notably dengue fever. Vaccines before travel are also required, for example, for yellow fever. Medical facilities in Cape Verde are limited. The largest hospitals are in Praia and Mindelo. Serious illness or injury may require medical evacuation to another country, although this can be difficult from Brava and Santo Antao. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking.

Cape Verde's political situation is generally stable with elections, last held in 2021, being seen as free and fair. There are relatively high levels of transparency and low levels of corruption by regional standards. However, there remains a perception that some government organizations are corrupt. Law enforcement officials are professional but face challenges in tackling rising crime rates.