Depending on the time of year you want to travel, you have a choice of cheap charter flights, scheduled flights, or package holidays to the islands of Cape Verde.

Those of you travelling with your diving equipment, please check your baggage allowance when booking your trip. For details of your departure or flight confirmation please contact your tour leader.

There are no required vaccinations for Cape Verde, but Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria and Hepatitis A and B are generally recommended. We recommend you speak to a doctor or medical professional before you travel. If you are travelling from a yellow fever country, then you need to provide an immunisation certificate.

This is a remote destination so medical supplies are not always fully available. Your personal travel first-aid kit should contain the standard products and any required medication. We strongly recommend that you obtain medical insurance. There is a first aid station in Santa Maria which is linked to the main clinic in the capital of Espargos. Around 15km from Santa Maria, there is also a private clinic run by foreign medical staff.

We strongly recommend that you obtain diving insurance e.g. DAN or similar.

The local currency is the Cape Verde Escudo (1 euro is approx. 110,265 ECV). Euros are commonly used and it is not permitted to import or export Escudos.

We do not recommend travellers cheques in either euro or dollars due to the high exchange fees. Money can be changed in most hotels and banks but cash machines are often not working. VISA credit cards are accepted in most hotels and banks subject to normal fees.

Local prices are quite high due to the fact that almost everything is imported.

Diving charges must be settled in cash (Euro, CV Escudo, US$, GBP or SFR).

The climate of Cape Verde means that it's possible to dive here all year round. The climate is mostly dry the whole year with a hot Summer, and warm Winter days and cold Winter nights. The rainy period is from July to September, but the rain falls rarely in short, sharp bursts if at all.
The water temperature in the Summer is around 26 degrees and in the Winter it goes down to 18 degrees. In general in the Summer months, May to September/October, there is less wind than in the Winter time.

During the summer you can wear a long john, a 3mm tropic suit or a shortie, depending on your own choice and how much you feel the cold.
In the winter months you will need a minimum of 5mm or 7mm full suit, wet or semi-dry. We also recommend the use of a hood and gloves in the Winter and some guests prefer to use a drysuit.

The official written and spoken language of Cape Verde is Portugese. The local people also speak Creole - a mix of Portugese and African language. French is widely understood and also English.

The standard is 220V and 50Hz. European connection is normal so a two pin adapter is required for anything with a three pin plug.

Small tips - around 10% - are always welcome if you are especially pleased with the service, but tips are not neccesarily required.

In general, shops and businesses are open Monday to Friday from 8.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00. Saturdays from 8.00 to 12.00.

Banks: Monday to Friday 8.00 to 14.00
Post: Monday to Friday 8.00 to 12.00 and from 15.00 to 18.00.
On Sundays most shops are closed but some operate irregular opening hours.