São Vicente Creole Carnival (Mindelo, São Vicente) – these festivities, held in February, are undoubtedly influenced by the famed carnivals held in Brazil (given the bright and extravagantly costumed locals that are often seen there). Although revelers can be found throughout the island, the largest gatherings are easily found in the island’s main city of […]
Santa Maria Festival (Santa Maria beach, Sal Island) —this musical event is held every Fall season at this popular beach town. Various Cape Verdean and international artists perform at this outdoor beachside concert. Musical genres highlighted there range from youth-oriented, fast-moving rhythms like Kizomba and kuduro, to fado and even reggae.
Morna Fest (Praça Dom Luis, Mindelo, São Vicente) – held every December, this musical event brings together local and Portuguese artists who perform the soulful morna songs that these islands are famous for. Along with the live performances, there are also workshops, forums and lectures held in various parts of Mindelo dedicated to the advancement […]
Kitesurfing (Salamansa Beach, Mindelo, Sao Vicente) – this is a popular beach for veteran as well as with novice kitesurfers. Local outfits, such as “Kitesurfing Now” (www.kitesurnow.eu), and “Surf Cabo Verde” (www.surfcaboverde.com) at Santa Maria (Sal island) provide lessons to both beginners and advanced kitesurfers, taking advantage of Cape Verde’s optimal wind conditions (providing such […]
Hiking – since Cape Verde’s islands have diverse topography, there are various types of terrain for hikers. The tour outfit “Cabo Verde Trekking Tours” (www.caboverde-trekking.com) gives visitors the option of conducting hiking expeditions throughout all of Cape Verde. Mountain bike tours, and even whale watching tours can also be arranged.
Fogo Volcano tours – the active Pico do Fogo volcano – standing at a height of 2829 meters, inevitably attracts tourists interested in this unique site. With the original name of this island being São Filipe, it’s no surprise that locals changed its name to “fogo” (fire). Its last major eruption was in 1675 – […]
Fishing (Mindelo, São Vicente) – the excursion outfit “Billfish-Club Cabo Verde” organizes sports fishing trips from Mindelo harbor (www.capeverde-fishing.com). Billfish-Club had the distinction of catching one of the biggest marlin anywhere in the globe (weighing 1,093 lbs.) – astonishing, considering that the average marlin weighs in between 200-350 lbs. Billfish-Club also won the prestigious “AFTCO […]
Diving – due to Cape Verde’s long history of maritime activity, going back to its status as a Portuguese colony for 500 years, there are various shipwrecks for divers for explore, particularly at Sal, Maio, and Boa Vista islands. Diving companies active in Cape Verde include “Scuba Team Cabo Verde” (www.scubateamcaboverde.com), “Sunfish Scuba Diving Academy” […]
Cabo Verde Safari (Mindelo, Lazareto, Sao Vicente) – for those who want to do something different from the beachside activities often found at Sal island, this tour of the barren, rugged island of Sao Vicente (via 4×4 vehicles) is perfect for such visitors. Visitors will be amazed at the vast and beautiful lava fields, spectacular […]
Baía das Gatas music festival (Mindelo, Sao Vicente) – first started in 1984, this three day festival is held every August at the Baía das Gatas beach, and offers sounds of African and Verdean music, as well as jazz, salsa, fado and reggae. Popular musicians from Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) African countries like Angola, Mozambique and Guinea-Bissau, […]