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Travel Advisory for Republic of Cabo Verde

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of official government travel advisories for Republic of Cabo Verde from multiple trusted international sources including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Spain, Ireland, and Japan. Each government assesses travel risks independently based on their own intelligence, diplomatic relationships, and risk assessment criteria. By comparing these different perspectives, travelers can make more informed decisions about their safety and security when visiting Republic of Cabo Verde.

The information below is aggregated from official government sources and analyzed to provide you with a unified view of the current travel situation. Last updated: 2026-09-07

AdvisoryAtlas.com Risk Level

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Range: Level 1 to Level 2

AdvisoryAtlas.com Safety Index

75
Safety Index Score

Overview

Cabo Verde is a scenic Atlantic archipelago offering a generally safe environment, though visitors should exercise caution regarding petty crime in urban areas. Travelers must complete mandatory online pre-registration and pay an airport security fee prior to arrival.

Detailed Advisory Summary

Located in the North Atlantic, Cabo Verde is a group of ten volcanic islands known for their unique blend of African and Portuguese influences. While the country is generally safe for travelers, crime levels vary significantly between islands. The capital, Praia, and larger tourist hubs like Mindelo, Sal, and Boa Vista, require heightened vigilance due to incidents of pickpocketing, bag snatching, and occasional violent street crime. The mountainous terrain and isolated hillside staircases in urban centers are known hotspots for opportunistic theft.

Infrastructure in Cabo Verde is functional but basic, with medical facilities largely concentrated in Praia and Mindelo. Travelers should be prepared for limited emergency services in rural areas and on smaller islands, making comprehensive medical evacuation insurance an essential investment. The climate is generally moderate, though the rainy season from August to October brings risks of flooding and landslides, while the harmattan wind from December to February can cause significant air travel disruptions.

Navigating the islands is best done through registered taxis or reputable local agencies. Travelers are advised to avoid walking alone at night, particularly in poorly lit areas, and to keep personal belongings secure. The archipelago offers exceptional opportunities for adventure tourism, including hiking and water sports, but these activities carry inherent risks due to strong currents and powerful waves. Visitors should prioritize safety by staying on marked trails, hiring experienced guides, and respecting local environmental warnings.

Risk Level Summary by Government Source

Source Risk Level Updated Official Link
Global Affairs Canada Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-09-01 View Source →
U.S. Department of State Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-02 View Source →
Ministère des Affaires Étrangères Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-09-03 View Source →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-28 View Source →
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-05-18 View Source →
Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-04-09 View Source →
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-21 View Source →
Auswärtiges Amt Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-09 View Source →
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Unknown 2026-08-05 View Source →
Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-06-16 View Source →
Regjeringen (Norway) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-06-03 View Source →
Nederland Wereldwijd (Netherlands) Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-09-06 View Source →
Viaggiare Sicuri (Italy) Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-08-17 View Source →
BMEIA (Austria) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-03-02 View Source →
0404 (Korea) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-30 View Source →
Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-08-02 View Source →

Safety and Security Analysis

Vaccination Information

Required Vaccines

  • Yellow Fever (if arriving from a country with risk of transmission)

Recommended for Most Travelers

  • Routine vaccines (MMR, Tetanus, Diphtheria, Polio)

Recommended for Some Travelers

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Rabies
Consult a travel health clinic at least 8 weeks before departure to assess personal risk levels.

Visa Information

Visa Types

Type Requirement Stay Limit Cost Conditions Details
Tourist e-Visa / Registration 30 days 3400 CVE Must complete EASE registration 5 days before arrival.
  • Pre-registration: EASE platform
  • Airport Security Tax: 3400 CVE

Entry & Legal Compliance

  • Passport Validity Needed: 6 months
  • Blank Pages Required: 1
  • Dual Citizenship Policy: Recognized
  • Proof Of Onward Travel: Required by most airlines
  • Currency Limit Declaration: 1,000,000 CVE
  • Drone Usage Law: Strictly regulated

Emergency Contacts

  • Police: 132
  • Medical Assistance: 130
  • Firefighters: 131

Common Scams & Tourist Traps

  • Romance scams originating from online dating platforms.
  • Street children working in groups to distract tourists.

Cultural Etiquette in Republic of Cabo Verde

Do

  • Greet locals politely with a handshake or nod.
  • Dress modestly when visiting rural or religious sites.

Don't

  • Do not photograph government buildings or military personnel.
  • Do not display large amounts of cash in public.

Advisory Comparison by Government Source

Global Affairs Canada

Updated: 2026-09-01
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Canadian advisory emphasizes the high degree of caution required due to crime. It highlights specific risks in Praia and the danger of hillside staircases.

U.S. Department of State

Updated: 2026-07-02
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The U.S. State Department maintains a Level 1 advisory. It warns about specific criminal activity in Praia and provides extensive resources for victims of crime.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
France provides detailed warnings about armed robbery on sailboats and the lack of sea rescue infrastructure. It stresses the importance of travel insurance.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
The United Kingdom warns that quad biking is considered an extreme sport and is often excluded from standard insurance policies. It also notes that from July 2026, failing to pre-register on EASE will result in a doubled TSA fee at the border.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Spanish advisory recommends traveling with caution and highlights a significant increase in citizen insecurity across Cabo Verde due to the economic crisis, with a particular uptick in crime in Santiago and Praia during holiday seasons. It uniquely identifies specific high-risk neighborhoods in Praia, such as Tira Chapéu, Brasil, and Várzea, and warns against assaults near beaches and access staircases. The advisory also points out an increase in assaults on tourists and opportunistic thefts on beaches in the more touristy islands of Boa Vista and Sal.

This source provides detailed information on entry requirements for maritime arrivals, specifying the need to report to Maritime Police and Border Police at designated ports like Praia, Mindelo, and Palmeira. It also mentions a unique requirement to communicate inter-island stops to authorities to obtain a salvoconducto (safe-conduct) or retrieve documentation if departing from a different port. The advisory notes a dengue outbreak from November 2023 that is still active and the government's contingency situation declaration in July 2025.

Uniquely, it provides an extensive list of local medical centers across various islands, including hospitals and health delegations, along with their contact numbers. It also details the fixed parity of the Cabo Verdean escudo with the euro and advises changing money at banks for better rates, while noting the high commission fees at ATMs. The advisory also provides contact information for the Embassy of Cabo Verde and honorary consulates in Spain, and the Spanish Embassy and vice-consulates in Cabo Verde.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Ireland provides a critical health alert regarding Shigella and Salmonella infections on Sal Island. It also categorizes the country as high-risk for Hepatitis C and notes the moderate risk of Zika transmission.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Japan focuses on the Yellow Fever requirements for travelers arriving via Senegal. It also warns about group conflicts among local youth in urban areas that could inadvertently affect tourists.

Auswärtiges Amt

Updated: 2026-07-09
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
New Zealand highlights the extremely limited nature of consular assistance due to a lack of local diplomatic presence. It advises that all medical emergencies will likely require aerial evacuation.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Switzerland notes that water shortages are common and that detention conditions in local prisons are precarious, lacking basic hygiene standards. It advises against visiting poor neighborhoods in cities.

Regjeringen (Norway)

Updated: 2026-06-03
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Netherlands emphasizes the Bruma Seca sandstorms between December and February, which can significantly disrupt flight schedules. It also warns that drug penalties are much harsher than in Europe.

Viaggiare Sicuri (Italy)

Updated: 2026-08-17
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Italy provides a comprehensive list of honorary consular correspondents across the islands, including Sal, Boa Vista, and Santiago. It also warns that self-defense sprays are illegal and can lead to arrest.

BMEIA (Austria)

Updated: 2026-03-02
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Austria clarifies that electronic IDs (ID Austria) are not recognized locally and that a physical passport is mandatory. It also notes that airport transit is allowed under general entry rules.

0404 (Korea)

Updated: 2026-07-30
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
The Finnish advisory recommends Normal Caution for Cape Verde, noting that pickpocketing and robberies are common, especially in major cities like Praia and Mindelo, and on tourist islands such as Boa Vista and Sal. It uniquely points out that street children and youth gangs often commit thefts and robberies, and that violent crime, often drug-related, has been increasing.

This source provides a unique list of EU embassies in Cabo Verde that can offer consular assistance to Finnish citizens, including the Embassies of Spain, Portugal, France, and Luxembourg, along with their contact details. It also describes the local traffic culture as undisciplined by Finnish standards, with potentially high speeds and drunk driving, advising special caution when driving at night due to poor lighting and undeveloped road networks.

Health advice highlights that Cape Verde's healthcare services are inadequate and recommends good hand hygiene, drinking only bottled water without ice, and avoiding uncooked foods to prevent diarrheal diseases. It also states that penalties for drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, as are sentences for traffic offenses related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Important: This is an aggregated summary from multiple government sources. Always consult official government travel advisory websites before making travel decisions.

About Travel Advisories for Republic of Cabo Verde

This comprehensive travel advisory page for Republic of Cabo Verde aggregates official government warnings and recommendations from eight major international sources. Each country's foreign affairs department maintains its own travel advisory system based on unique assessment criteria, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic considerations.

The United States Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Australia's Smartraveller, France's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs each provide independent assessments of travel risks to Republic of Cabo Verde.

By comparing these multiple perspectives, travelers can gain a more complete understanding of the current situation in Republic of Cabo Verde and make better-informed decisions about their travel plans. Remember to always check the official government websites directly before finalizing any travel arrangements.

Last updated: 2026-09-07