After hearing about Cape Verde, a little paradise on earth, it is easy to become curious – until it becomes a tourist possibility or desire. But one of the first questions when one starts to evaluate this possibility as a destination is: when to go on vacation to Cape Verde?
Cape Verde, as far as the climate is concerned, is fantastic all year round, presenting a mild temperature with few oscillations. But there are differences in some aspects that can make one time better than another for visiting the country – which will largely depend on your preferences (and budget!).
Travel Prices to Cape Verde
As with any destination, travel prices usually vary depending on a number of factors such as the type of service, variation in operating costs, and supply and demand.
Exceptional factors, such as those we saw in 2019 (covid-19) , and 2022 (conflict in Ukraine) caused flight numbers and fuel prices, respectively, to fluctuate abnormally, affecting ticket prices.
Under normal conditions, for example, there are also differences. For those who intend to go on vacation in Cape Verde, traveling in high season is more expensive and by high season we mean between April and September, to which are added the last two weeks of December and the first week of January. The same is true for travel packages, which usually include flight + insurance + transfers + accommodation and sometimes food.
Climate in Cape Verde
The climate in Cape Verde is, practically all year round, similar. Temperatures are between 24ºC and 30ºC, so we recommend light clothing and a sweater to take with you on your trip to Cape Verde. The wind, common on the Cape Verdean islands, tends to be strongest between December and March – ideal for sports that require wind, such as kitesurfing, and are strongest on the northernmost islands. The likelihood of rain is greatest between July and October, but some islands can go more than a year without significant rain.
During some winter months, some islands – Sal, Boa Vista and Maio, can receive sandy winds coming from the Sahara desert. These winds, which on the one hand have an impact on air quality and create a kind of greenhouse effect, on the other hand are the cause that some of the flatter volcanic islands in Cape Verde have white sand beaches and dunes.
The sea water is normally an excellent temperature all year round (especially for tourists originating from the northern hemisphere of the globe.
Events
Many of the big events that exist in Cape Verde (such as music festivals) are held between June and September. This is due, in part, to the existing vacation periods, and because it is the season with more people on vacation in Cape Verde and when the country receives part of its emigrants. So in terms of events, the best time of year to visit Cape Verde is during these months.
Many of the festivals are also religious in nature and most of the saints end up being celebrated in the summer.
But don’t worry; during the year, even outside of summer, especially on the more touristy islands, there is plenty of entertainment and things to do.
What is the best time of year to visit Cape Verde – high or low season?
Advantages of vacationing in Cape Verde during the low season
- Much more attractive prices
- Less confusion and tourists (although Cape Verde is not a country with exaggerated tourist pressure.) for those who want to be even more rested.
- Possibility, if you live in the Northern hemisphere during the winter, to escape the colder weather and enjoy wonderful sun and beach and to boost your Vitamin D level when you vacation in Cape Verde.
Advantages of vacationing in Cape Verde in high season?
- More daily flights
- Greater movement of people, for those who like this environment
- More events and things to do
- Time of year that coincides with school vacations(for those who have children) and in some cases with vacations granted by some companies in other countries, which can make more time to spend on vacation in Cape Verde.
Whatever the time of year to take a vacation to Cape Verde, there is a good chance that you will have a wonderful time, and a great experience. The best time of year to go on vacation in Cape Verde will depend on your (and your travelers’) availability, your budget, and what you want to do on the islands.
Choose the one that suits you best and go. Whatever the time, you are sure to have a wonderful experience.
