Scuba diving in Santiago, Cape Verde

Immersion stays in Cape Verde can be shortened or extended upon request. Solidarity activities or volunteer projects can also be offered for individuals or groups (such as students or others).

We also provide all-inclusive packages with included flight tickets. For this, you can contact us directly via the chat or contact form.

INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS

We are unable to include international flights directly in the proposed itinerary. However, through our partner Option Way, we can assist you in searching for the most affordable international flights based on your travel dates and departure/arrival airports. Please feel free to contact me for more information.

INTERNAL FLIGHTS

Internal transportation within Cape Verde is provided by domestic flights operated by BESTFLY. For practical reasons, especially due to travel time, the journey to the island of Fogo is usually done by air from Praia or São Vicente with a layover in Praia. The frequency of domestic flights is approximately two round-trip flights per week. The specific days and schedules of the flights are communicated shortly in advance. It is recommended to make reservations promptly as the number of available seats is limited (approximately one hundred). Reservations can be made through ACTOUR agency. The price of the tickets is not included in the price of the trip.

Our agency, ACTOUR Trekking, is located in Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente. You will arrive in Cape Verde through one of the four international airports in the archipelago (Praia, Sal, São Vicente, and Boavista).

Regardless of your arrival island, you will be greeted by a private driver. All basic transfers (from the airport to the hotel, from the hotel to the airport, from the hotel to the port, from the port to the hotel, etc.) are organized by us unless otherwise specified in the quote or upon your specific request.

If you are specifically visiting São Vicente and Santo Antão, you will meet someone from the agency (driver or sales agent) who will provide you with your boat tickets and your map of Santo Antão. Feel free to come and meet us, as we are just a stone's throw away from the city center!

During your stay, you will have access to the agency's emergency contact number (00 238 9143524), available 24/7 in case of emergencies. I will also be available to assist you throughout your stay to ensure that everything goes smoothly.

DURING THE HIKE

During the hikes, your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation. Therefore, pack only the essentials in your backpack, including a windbreaker, a light fleece, a raincoat (to protect you from the rain), sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and sturdy hiking shoes (or trail shoes).

You will have the freedom to hike at your own pace using a route booklet and a map. You can walk at your own rhythm, and the drivers will be waiting for you at designated meeting points indicated in the route booklet. There are no strict time constraints to adhere to. Unless you are running the trails, the drivers will arrive at the meeting points before you.

PICNIC

For the picnic, remember to bring Tupperware, a spoon, and a knife.

Please check the required travel documents (visa, national identity card, valid passport with a validity of at least 6 months after the return date) for entry and stay in your destination country with the embassy or consulate of that country in your country of residence.

Regarding passports, some countries require a minimum validity period. Entry requirements may change and can vary depending on the destination country and the nationality of the travelers, so it is important to verify this information before your trip.

The airport security tax now replaces the tourist visa as of January 2019. It costs €30.50 per person and must be paid the week prior to your arrival in Cape Verde. You can provide the address of our agency, Actour Trekking, Mindelo - São Vicente Island, Cape Verde. Below is the link for registration: https://www.ease.gov.cv/

EXCHANGE RATE

1€ = 110 ECV

Euros (banknotes only) are accepted on all islands, but only in certain hotels and restaurants. Currency exchange can be done at airports in Sal, Praia, and primarily at banks. Waiting times for currency exchange can be long at banks as all transactions are conducted at the counter in Cape Verde, resulting in high customer traffic.

Some restaurants offer currency exchange at rates that may not be advantageous (1 euro = 100 escudos). Traveler's checks (preferably in US dollars) are very difficult to exchange.

However, it is very easy to withdraw money from ATMs, which are available throughout the archipelago. It is recommended to contact your bank to activate the international option on your bank card to withdraw money locally (withdrawals are limited to 20,000 escudos per day).

Only a few upscale establishments accept international credit card payments.

TIPPING

Staff members are paid regular wages and do not rely on tips. However, a tip can be given if you are particularly satisfied with the efforts made by a guide or driver to ensure you have a pleasant stay. In such cases, a reasonable range for tipping is 5 to 10 euros per person for a driver and 20 to 30 euros per person for a guide.

PHONE

To call Cape Verde from France, dial 00 + 238 + the number of your correspondent. To call France from Cape Verde, dial 00 + 33 + the 9-digit number of your correspondent (without the initial 0).

HEALTH

There are no mandatory vaccinations. Mosquitoes are not carriers of dengue or malaria. A mosquito repellent in winter is sufficient, and a mosquito net in summer may be useful. There is little wildlife in Cape Verde, so there are no risks of encountering snakes or other dangerous animals during hikes. It is advisable to avoid drinking tap water, although it is safe to drink. You can buy bottled water everywhere, even in the most remote villages.

INSURANCE BEFORE YOUR TRIP

When purchasing a trip, it is highly recommended to have insurance. Cancellation insurance covers the financial risk if you are forced to cancel your trip. In the event of cancellation, the agency cannot refund the entire cost of your trip because we are committed to hotels, transporters, guides, etc.

INSURANCE DURING YOUR TRIP

Repatriation assistance protects you in case of an accident at your destination: it covers your medical expenses and, if necessary, your repatriation. Below is the link where you can take out travel insurance. https://www.chapkadirect.fr/index.php?action=produit&id=824&app=actour

Note: The liveliest and most renowned event in the archipelago is the carnival of São Vicente, deeply rooted in Cape Verdean traditions, which takes place every year at the end of February.

Not to be missed if you have the chance to be in Cape Verde during this time.