I came to Cape Verde for the first time a year ago and I wrote about it here. When I left, I was almost certain that I would come back. And when I did, a year later, I just picked up from where I left, like not even a day had passed. That’s the charm of this place, everything is familiar and makes you feel at home. The motto is “no stress” and I don’t know any other place where this would be more appropriate.
Most shops and other businesses have a 2 hour siesta break at lunch. So if you go out between 1 and 3 in the afternoon, you will find a sleepy island, but I say it’s well worth it, if this is the reason why people are kindly smiling during the rest of the day.
Praia Laginha Mindelo
I came back to this view and walked along the shore countless times, refreshed by the slightly cold sea, as my body was getting the much appreciated sun.
When I would post pictures like this on my social media channels, I would often get questions like “Where is this place?”, “How did you find it?”. And I would always be happy to clarify.
One day, I posted this poll on my Instagram account story, asking people where they think I was, just based on this picture:
As you can see, most of them thought I was in the Caribbean and it’s an honest mistake. What I did next was clarify the location.
Cape Verde on the World Map
I am in the Atlantic Ocean, at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and America. Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands. People live on 9 of them. I am in Sao Vicente island and this is what has made me feel good during my stay here:
1. The lovely weather. Sun year round. For real!
And I say “For real” because I have lived in places that brag about having sun year round, but they don’t really do ( Looking at you Lisbon and Malta 🙂 )
This, my friends, is the real deal. No cold, no rainy season, when you come here, the sun is guaranteed. In all my time here, I have not had a single day without sun.
And none of that scorching hotness that kills the whole mood. Just when you think it might get too hot, here comes the breeze. Which leads me to my next point.
2. No mosquitoes.
The breeze takes care of them too. No mosquito bites in here.
Update: I have been told recently that someone did see some mosquitoes here, since September is the only month when rain might appear, along with mosquitoes. So it’s not 100% mosquito free, but it’s really the next best thing
3. The delicious food.
How could I not mention it?
Like this cous-cous for breakfast
Cous-cous in Cape Verde
It comes hot and you can add butter, honey and/or local cheese to taste. Simple yet delicious, for the price of 150 CVE or about 1,5 Euro.
Another breakfast meal is the cachupa
Cachupa with a view of Mindelo marina
This is a slow-cooked stew with corn, beans, meat and some more of the local cheese, quejo de terra. Topped with egg and a side of sausage.
If a full portion is too much, you can have a half, which is what I had in this picture for the price of 180 CVE or 1,8 Euro.
Another breakfast favourite is fresh papaya:
It grows in abundance on the neighbouring island of Santo Antao and the women come here and sell it on the street or in the market for about 200 CVE or 2 Euro a kilo. It’s the best way to start the day.
Another local food that you can try are pastels. While on the beach, you will see women selling homemade pastries similar to samosas, but with fish in them. They are only 5 CVE or 5 cents each.
And since we were speaking about the local cheese, quejo de terra, it pairs well with the homemade papaya jelly that you can find in the shops here. I AM ready for this jelly!
4. It’s safe
Cape Verde has a democratic regime modelled after Portugal and the main religion is Catholicism. With the main language being Portuguese, while the locals speak creole (kriol), it’s easy to see how Europe and Africa mix well here.
Of course, you need to take the basic precautions as in any place, but I never felt unsafe here. No cab driver trying to charge me more, no pushy salesmen on the street. When the ladies with papaya advertise their fruits, I am happy to get some.
5. Morabeza, which means hospitality in creole, the local language.
Whether at the hotel, restaurants or shops, I almost never met a person that was not kind to me. I smile, they smile, just like that.
I stayed at Kira’s hotel and it was a delight. From the moment I arrived, I was kindly welcomed into this beautiful boutique hotel as if I was part of the family.
Welcome letter Kira’s hotel
The hotel has 10 rooms, each room being named after one of the islands of this archipelago. I stayed in room Santo Antao, named after the green island next to Sao Vicente. Therefore, the room is tastefully decorated in vibrant colours such as bright green and yellow.
Here is a sneak peek into what I got to experience at this hotel :
You might recognise the background music sang by Cape Verde’s national treasure, Cesaria Evora. She was actually from this island. Not far from this hotel you can see her memorial house. This song is about Sao Vicente, can you guess what she is trying to say?
This place sounds like heaven and the room you stayed in was beautiful! I am going to check out airfare now. Just curious how much it would cost to fly there.
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Thank you so much for your feedback. Depending on where you fly from, it could be a bit pricey, but once you get here, things are pretty cheap. I hope you do make it here some day 😊
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It sounds amazing! definitely on my bucket list for next year though!
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Cape Verde is not a place you hear much about, but it sounds heavenly. It seems a lot like the Canary Islands, which is also a place I would like to visit.
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Looks amazing, We just added it to our bucket list!
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You had me at “no mosquitoes!” LOL! Sounds like a beautiful place to visit. And that coucous does sound good-good.
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Wow. This is so beautiful and you really got me at “there are no mosquitoes”, this is definitely a place I need to visit 😀
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That looks like such a pretty place! Did it seem less touristy than some of the Caribbean islands? I love getting a more local experience when I travel!
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This sounds like a beautiful place! Thanks for sharing 🙂
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Any tips on making Papaya taste better? I’ve tried it a few times and I always hate it! LOL. My wife and son love it though…
Thanks for sharing this post!
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I liked this post..such a great place… it has to be in my bucket list of places to visit…
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This sounds like heaven!!
No mosquitos, papaya for breakfast and all year long sunshine… what else can you want?
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Hhhhmmmmmm…. lovely, Nicole! I love these.
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This sounds awesome. I liked the place. Excited. I loved that you mentioned about mosquitos. Cape Verde Sounds amazing.
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This looks amazing!
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Looks like an amazing beach. I so want a beach vacation like right now.
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that it very interesting i may soon go visit it *-* ♥
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Sounds like you had an amazing time. Looks absolutely beautiful, and cous cous for breakfast – yum! Definitely something to consider in the future when we are traveling.
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It looks so beautiful, I can see why you went back.
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You are right what attracts tourists most is the safety and neatness of the place…the sun also does matter… certainly a great place to visit.
Regards..
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what a beautiful place to visit , looks like paradise I love that you can visit safely that is always a thought when planning in these days and times
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I have never been to Cape Verde. Adding the destination to my bucket list after reading your post. Nice pics.
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Cape Verde ticks all the right boxes for me – it has good and fresh food , it is safe and of course ha sunny weather and beaches -just perfect !
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Cape Verde sounds like an amazing place with many things to do! Thanks for sharing this post.
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This looks like such a beautiful place! The sea is so blue, I definitely thought it was in the Caribbean!
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Honestly, I have never even heard of Cape Verde! It is so beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
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To be honest I don’t believe i’ve heard of this place before now but it sounds wonderful. Do they get hurricanes or tropical storms? or is it completely safe from the weather.
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No hurricanes or tropical storms, the only rainy month is September, but it’s like a nice welcomed summer rain, nothing too much.
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Cape Verde has been on my bucket list for a few years for all the reasons you’ve listed. But year round great weather with no mosquitos is reason enough to book a flight.
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Well, I didn’t know Cape Verde has beaches, wahaha. And sun all year round? I hope it’s tolerable. And no mosquitoes, that’s really great. Food might be one of my reason to visit it.
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How beautiful! The breakfasts with a view look divine. I would love to buy some of those fresh papayas!
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A place with no mosquitos sounds like paradise to me! Lol I love the pictures you took because it.captures the beauty of the area!
https://budgetingbelle80.blogspot.com/
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It is such a lovely slice of the coast too! I would love to see it in person some day!
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I think this place is amazing based on the photos and video.
I wish to visit this place before I get old. lol
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I knew a guy from Cape Verde who always wanted me to visit the beach there. Now I know why! Looks so good.
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OMG! Cape Town is still in my bucket list!!! Seems such an amazing place to visit. Hopefully, soon.
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This is amazing. the place is still in my bucket list. I would like to visit soon!
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Looks like a fun adventure with many things to do. Cape Verde looks beautiful
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Cape Verde Seems like a lovely place to visit. Your pictures really captured the beauty.
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Wow, this place is amazing. Never been to this part of the world and I need to add this into my bucket list. BTW, fresh papayas look so yummy and I can imagine with a cold glass of chardonary as well… hmmm… Nice…
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Cape Verde seems like a great place to visit.
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Certainly looks like a place I would enjoy. Anything on the ocean with clean ocean water and beaches is OK by me.
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Would love to visit one day, I really enjoyed your descriptions and details of your trip.
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Cape Verde sounds amazing! I’ve actually never heard of it but am definitely putting it on the “to visit” list!
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I have never been there but it looks amazing. And at some point in my life I would absolutely love to visit someplace with no mosquitoes (preferably no mosquitoes and no horseflies)! Awesome trip!
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wow! Looks like an amazing time – I’ll have to keep it in mind when it comes time to travel. 🙂
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That hotel!
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This destination looks stunning! We love that you explored more than the beaches.
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Wow that beach looks so beautiful. I have to add this to my list of places to visit!
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This place looks amazing. I would love to vacay there someday,
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You sold me at no mosquitoes! This looks lovely and someday I hope to be able to enjoy traveling like I did when I was younger and my mom and grandma took us all over.
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