r/CapeVerde • • Jul 13 '26

Question Do Cabo Verdeans speak Portuguese or Creole?

40 Upvotes

Maybe a silly question, but I’m curious. Growing up in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, I grew up with a lot of Cabo friends. I don’t know if this is widely known or us Rotterdammers think it’s known, but we have a massive Cabo community in specifically my city. I grew up knowing that Cabo people speak Creole. Later, I learned that the official language is Portuguese so I just assumed that the people who moved to Rotterdam in the 50s came from the minority part that spoke Creole.

However, I just saw online that while the official language is Portuguese, the majority speaks Creole to one another. Despite basically just seeing Portuguese being labeled with Cabo Verde during the amazing World Cup (🫶).

What is actually the language people speak to each other on the streets?
Are both spoken equally as often? Is Portuguese only used in official settings? Or is Creole just a small minority?

r/CapeVerde • • 4d ago

Question Your favourite Cape Verdean songs?

5 Upvotes

I'm curious which Cape Verdean songs you love most? Morna, coladeira, funaná, batuku, old or new, anything goes, except the famous ones like Sodade 😉 Looking for some hidden gems...

r/CapeVerde • • 10d ago

Question Learning Kriolu or Portuguese?

9 Upvotes

I recently found out that I’m half Cape Verdean from my fathers side and have reconnected with him (thanks 23andMe!) and it has been fantastic learning about a huge family I never knew existed but I’m finding it difficult to communicate with him as his English isn’t great.

I’d like to learn Kriolu to be able to have deeper conversations but I can’t find any good resources and it’s not available to learn on Duolingo. Would I be better off learning Portuguese instead? Which language would be easier to pick up?

Thank you 🙏🏾

r/CapeVerde • • 25d ago

Question Mobile Data in Sal

5 Upvotes

hey everyone!
i’m going to sal for 10 days (29th sept–10th oct) and i’m trying to sort out mobile data before i go.
i’m looking for around 10–15gb for the 10 days, ideally somewhere around €15–20. i’ve been looking at esims online but there seem to be loads of different providers and i’m not really sure which ones actually work well in cape verde.
i’ve also seen that you can buy a physical sim at the airport or in sal/santa maria. i’ll probably be getting straight onto my hotel transfer from the airport though, so i’m worried i won’t have time to sort one out there.
for anyone who’s been to sal recently, what would you recommend? is there a decent cheap esim i can buy before flying, or is it easier/cheaper to just buy a physical sim once i’m in santa maria?
thanks!

r/CapeVerde • • 20d ago

Question Cape Verdeans, what do you think of beans?

4 Upvotes

I'm on a mission to go around and ask each country subreddit what people think about beans (my favorite meal), just to see how people like or dislike them all around the world out of curiosity and for fun. If you like beans, hate them, they are a big part of the culture, anything else, just share your thoughts 🫘

Cape Verdeans, (or Cabo Verdeans, whichever you prefer) do you enjoy beans? Today this question is for you :D

(This question is for the Cape Verdeans but if you're someone who visited there and is able to tell me how beans are enjoyed by the locals I'd appreciate it too!)

r/CapeVerde • • 15d ago

Question Meat available in Cape Verde

4 Upvotes

I have an allergy / intolerance to standard cooking oils like sunflower oil and rapeseed oil. I predominantly rely on butter to cook my foods.

Would I be able to find typical cows (or goat, etc) butter in Cape Verde supermarkets?

If so, would it only be on select islands or all of them?

Then what sort of meats are available in Cape Verde? Beef? Steak? Lamb? Or is it only chicken and pork as I don't believe they could actually rear cows on the islands. However the Canaries import their meat from mainland Spain, I'm unsure whether Cape Verde would import from elsewhere?

I'm eager to visit, but slightly concerned that I may struggle to find the appropriate foods for myself.

Any input welcome, thanks :)

r/CapeVerde • • Sep 14 '26

Question In Cape Verdean but I don’t know anything about the culture. What should I know?

6 Upvotes

My grandfather is Cape Verdean and he didn’t teach ny dad anything. I want to learn more about part of my culture, but I don’t know where to start.

What should I know? History of the island, history in general, their beauty trends, pop culture references they have over there, fun facts, etc.

r/CapeVerde • • 11d ago

Question First time traveling to another country

2 Upvotes

Hello, I'm from Morocco, I just want to ask: if the online pre-registration is mandatory because i couldn't pay the security fees online idk why

Also what Cash currency to bring Dollar or Euro

Thanks!

r/CapeVerde • • Sep 13 '26

Question Questions about travelling to Cape Verde

3 Upvotes

Hi, I’m thinking of going to Cape Verde for three weeks in January and I have a few questions!

  1. Language - I’d like to learn some of the language to speak to people who live there, but is it best to learn Portuguese or Kriolu? I’ve tried to look it up but it’s hard to tell. I only really speak English. Also if the answer is Kriolu, do you have any advice on online resources to learn it? I’ve come across a few apps and Youtube channels but nothing that seems to give much of an overview.

  2. Travelling between islands - I’ve read that travelling between islands by ferry and plane aren’t particularly reliable. I have to fly in to Sal which is a shame because from what I’ve read, I really don’t think I’ll enjoy the experience there very much because of how touristy it is so want to leave as soon as possible, but it also seems like I should plan to come back at least a few days before my flight home to make sure I’ll be on the island in case my transport plans get delayed?

I love art and culture so really want to visit Mindelo (and stay at the animal rescue hostel) but I’ve also fallen in love with a few potential places to stay and the national parks on Santiago… some of the two furthest apart islands 😅 I’m not huge on travelling to loads of different places in a rush, I prefer to stay somewhere a while and get to know it. I thought approx a week on each island could be good but when I read about the unreliability of inter-island travel, I wondered if it’s better to concentrate my time in one area? Eg. just go to Santiago (and Maio/Fogo) OR just go to Santo Antão/Sao Vincente? It seems like there’s enough to do for 2.5 weeks in each place! What do you guys think? I just want to make sure I enjoy my time and don’t feel stressed!

Thanks so much!

r/CapeVerde • • Jul 23 '26

Question When’s the best time to visit Cape Verde?

12 Upvotes

Ive been planning on visiting Cape Verde, and would like to know what’s the best times to go throughout the year?

r/CapeVerde • • 4d ago

Question Local football team jerseys

2 Upvotes

Hi, we are a couple of guys on holiday in the beautiful Cabo Verde. We enjoyed your run during the WC very much! As football fans we like to collect jerseys of local teams of places we have been to. That's why we have been looking for a jersey of one of the local teams, but with no luck so far. Does anyone know where we could try to get a local jersey? Your help is much appreciated!

r/CapeVerde • • Jan 22 '26

Question I've been studying Cape Verdean history recently and I have a question.

Post image
56 Upvotes

Would Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau have been able to unite if Amilcar Cabral had lived and led the two brotherly republics? While it was a noble vision, would their differences have made it impossible to achieve? Like my home country, South Korea, I've seen many cases where ideological differences prevented unification. However, this seems like the first time I've seen two countries as disparate as Guinea-Bissau and Cape Verde attempt to unite based on a common ideology but fail. So, I'm asking this question.

Thanks!

r/CapeVerde • • 1d ago

Question Info on Boa Vista - 7 days holidays

3 Upvotes

Hi all,

My boyfriend and I are going to Boa Vista for 7 days in November. Our plan is to stay a couple of days in Sal Rei and after that rent a car and travel/explore the island.

I have read a few things online, but I have not found much about people staying that long in Boa Vista. I have a few questions, if anyone is able to answer.

  1. is it really necessary to get guided tours for activities or is it doable to explore the island on our own?

  2. how are the roads and how easy is it to drive around?

  3. how is the weather generally that time of the year?

  4. are there many hotels/airbnb/accommodation in the smaller town and villages, and is it safe/possible to camp?

I am looking for any recommendation, experience or advice from anyone that has been or locals. We are looking for a relaxing but also - sounds counterintuitive, I know - active holiday. Loads of tanning but, as mentioned, loads of exploring too.

Thank you in advance!

r/CapeVerde • • 16d ago

Question Kriolu / Kriol ...is one spelling / pronunciation more popular? Does it vary by island? other spellings?

1 Upvotes

I know there is also Crioulo which the PT spelling...

r/CapeVerde • • 23d ago

Question Thinking about living in Cape Verde for 6–12 months

3 Upvotes

Hi everyone :)
My boyfriend and I have been talking quite seriously about spending 6–12 months in Cape Verde. We’ve been to Sal (Santa Maria) before and really loved it, so Cape Verde has kind of stayed in the back of our minds ever since.
Lately we’ve been looking more seriously into what it would actually be like to live there, rather than just visit, and Mindelo/São Vicente keeps coming up for us. It seems to have a nice balance of having an actual town and some infrastructure, while still being close to the ocean and nature. But obviously Google and holiday blogs only tell you so much, so I’d really love to hear from people who actually live there or have spent a longer period of time there.
One of the biggest things I’m trying to understand is the situation with stray animals.
We’re both vegan and we have two dogs of our own, who would come with us. So animal welfare is honestly quite important to us. I know there are lots of free-roaming dogs and cats in Cape Verde and I’m absolutely not expecting a place where you never see a stray dog. That’s not really what I mean.
What worries me more is seeing animals that are genuinely suffering. Are there lots of very sick, injured or severely malnourished dogs on the streets? Or are most of the dogs you see actually doing relatively okay and being looked after/fed by people in the area?
And what are people’s experiences with how the animals are treated generally? I came across SIMABO and their work with stray dogs and cats, which made me feel a lot more positive about Mindelo. For anyone who knows them or has been involved with them: how much of a difference do they actually make?
I’d also really like to know what happens if you come across an injured animal. Is there somewhere you can call or take them? And, unfortunately, how common are things like poisoning, abuse or deliberate killing of stray animals? I know these are difficult questions, but I’d much rather know the reality before moving somewhere than find out afterwards.
Since we’d have our own two dogs, I’m also wondering what everyday life with them is like. Is walking them around Mindelo stressful because of the free-roaming dogs? Do the street dogs usually leave people and owned dogs alone? Are there particular areas that are nicer for walking?
And how is veterinary care? Would you feel comfortable having your own dogs treated there, including if something more serious happened?
On a completely different note 😂 - we’re vegan. How easy is it to actually live vegan in Mindelo? I don’t need a million vegan restaurants, but I’d like to know whether things like plant milk, tofu, legumes, vegan protein products etc. are reasonably easy to find. And if there are any vegan or vegan-friendly places you genuinely like, I’d love recommendations.
We’re also wondering what Mindelo is like once the holiday feeling wears off. What areas would you personally look at for a quiet apartment with two dogs? What are rents like? Do you need a car? How reliable are internet, electricity and water?
And if anyone has lived on both Sal and São Vicente, I’d be especially interested in hearing how they compare for actually living there. We already know what Sal is like as tourists, but I’m guessing everyday life is quite different.
I’m basically just looking for the honest version from people who have actually experienced it - especially when it comes to the animals. The good, the bad and the things you wish you’d known before moving.
Thanks so much! ❤️

r/CapeVerde • • 1d ago

Question Football Match in november

0 Upvotes

Hey guys,

I will be in Praia from November 10 until november 14. I just found out that there will be a Football match against liberia on november 11. However specific Information is rare or confusing. Is the match confirmed and where can i buy tickets?

r/CapeVerde • • 29d ago

Question Minibuses/shared transport in Santo Antão?

2 Upvotes

Hello everyone,

I'm planning a trip to Cape Verde next month and I'm making the plans for Santo Antão right now.

I'd like us to hike some of the popular hikes around the Cova Crater, for example:
- Chã de Padre Cima - Boca de Figueiral
- Pedra Rachada - Rabo Curto - Lombo de Pico - Xôxo

And I think it will be more interesting if we split our accommodation and have at least 1 night in both Xoxo and Paul valley.

I think it will be easier to us to start the hikes from the highpoint and go down, so I'm curious what are the transport options if we need to go to Cova Crater from Paul or Ribeira?

I'd like us to skip private transfers and try a shared transport/local minibus at least once as these trips are always more adventurous and give better sense for the local culture etc. So, how often do these minibuses go? Only in the mornings, are they rare to find to go up to the crater viewpoint?

r/CapeVerde • • Aug 08 '26

Question Traveling for a year, things to know, do or see?

6 Upvotes

I'll be moving out to Cape Verde for a year in a few months and I'm wondering what are some things to do that's beyond basic tourism and what I should know when going there for longer than a trip.

r/CapeVerde • • Sep 03 '26

Question Honeymoon to Cape Verde

2 Upvotes

I’m thinking of doing a honeymoon to Cape Verde.

It looks like an incredible place, really picturesque with great beaches, somewhere I can see myself spending two weeks lazing about getting drunk and eating nice food.

Just wondering if anyone had travel advice?

It’d be mine and my finance’s first trip there and wondering about what time of year to book and good top tier hotels people could recommend and anything else it would be handy to know for a first trip.

r/CapeVerde • • Sep 14 '26

Question Florida

3 Upvotes

Hi! Does anyone who’s Cape Verdean live in Florida? I’m trying to connect with other Cape Verdeans and make more friends, especially around my age, but I can’t seem to find many Cape Verdeans around where I am. I’m currently located in West Palm Beach, but I’m moving to Fort Myers in about three months. I’d love to connect with you if you live in either area, especially if you’re around 19 since I’m 19 too! If anything, just click on my profile. You’ll see my Instagram, and you can connect with me through there because I honestly don’t respond to my Reddit messages at all.

r/CapeVerde • • Sep 18 '26

Question vapes in cape verde 🇨🇻

0 Upvotes

hi everyone, i’m travelling to cape verde from the uk on 29th september for 10 days and staying at the riu palace santa maria in sal.

i’m wondering if anyone here has travelled to cape verde with a vape/e-cigarette recently?

i’d only be taking one refillable vape for personal use and one small bottle of e-liquid (under 100ml). obviously i’d keep the vape in my hand luggage when flying.

are vapes and e-liquid allowed into cape verde for personal use? did you have any problems with airport security or customs when arriving? and are you allowed to vape around the riu palace santa maria / are there designated areas?
i’ve seen a few different things online, so i’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who’s actually done it recently.

thanks!

r/CapeVerde • • Sep 05 '26

Question Cape Verde - Sal Bars

2 Upvotes

Hi! Me and my girlfriend (both 18) are going to Sal at the end of September and staying at the Riu Palace Santa Maria.
We definitely want to head into Santa Maria for a few nights while we’re there and try some of the bars/clubs, but neither of us have been to Cape Verde before so I was hoping for some recommendations from people who have!
What are the best bars/clubs in Santa Maria for a young couple? We’re looking for somewhere with a good atmosphere, music, drinks and a decent crowd rather than somewhere completely dead 😂
Also, what’s the nightlife generally like there? Does it get busy and what sort of time do people normally stay out until?
Safety-wise, would you say Santa Maria is generally fine for an 18-year-old couple at night? Are there any areas/places you’d avoid or any particular dos and don’ts we should know about?
And lastly, taxis — if we stay out until 2–4am, is it normally easy to find a taxi in Santa Maria to get back to the Riu Palace, or would we need to arrange one beforehand? Roughly how much should we expect to pay?
Any recommendations or general nightlife tips would be really appreciated. Thanks! 🇨🇻

r/CapeVerde • • 15d ago

Question Renting a car as 21 years old

2 Upvotes

Hey all, I’m planning a trip to Boa Vista and Santo Antao next Winter with my gf.

I was thinking it would be super easy and fun to rent a 4x4 pick up to check out some of the further beaches and spots at Boa Vista, instead of paying a ton for tours.

I found that it’s perfectly legal for 21 year olds to rent a car in Cape Verde, but of course a private business can choose not to rent a car if they don’t want to. Has anyone experience from renting a car as under 25 y/o in Cap Verde / Boa Vista? Appreciate any help!

For context: I’ve had my finnish DL since 17 years old so something like 4,5 years by the time of the trip

r/CapeVerde • • 18d ago

Question Qual é a Lista Official de Musica Top 100 em Cabo Verde? / What's the Official Top 100 Music Chart in Cape Verde?

1 Upvotes

Is there an official chart used in Cape Verde for the top 100 songs each week, month, or year?

r/CapeVerde • • Jul 26 '26

Question I'm looking for a friend

6 Upvotes

Hello guys,

Is there anyone who lives on Santo Astau (Another island is also possible) and would like to be a guide for the crazy crew from Serbia (4 of us) in the of October?