Currency: The escudo is rigidly pegged to the euro. The exchange rate is 110.265 escudos for 1 euro. 1 US dollar is equal to » 80 escudos.
Language: The official language is Portuguese, the locals speak Creole.
Capital: Praia
GEOGRAPHICAL POSITION
The Republic of Cape Verde is a country in West Africa. It is located on the islands of the same name in the Atlantic Ocean, 620 km from the coast of Africa and consists of 10 large and 5 small islands. The territory of the country is elevated and rather dry, up to 16% of the country is occupied by dry gravel highlands – the so-called. “lunar landscape”. The highest point of the country is the city of Fogu (2840 m.). The total area is 4 thousand square meters. km.
BEACHES
Wide sandy beaches are usually sparsely populated and open to everyone. Sunbeds are given free of charge: in the morning the staff of the nearest hotels lays them out, and cleans them in the evening.
HOTELS
The hotel base of Cape Verde is at a very high level. Despite the absence of hotels of famous world chains, most of the hotel complexes are built “on a grand scale”. Many hotels have an all inclusive system, there is daytime and evening animation for adults and children. Most hotels have swimming pools with both salt and fresh water.
POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
The official language is Portuguese, the locals speak Creole.
TIME
Time: GMT -01:00
Difference with Moscow: -04:00
CLIMATE
The climate is dry tropical, the average temperature in July-August is about +28..+32°C, in January-February +23..+25°C. Water temperature in the ocean: February-March +21..+22°C, August-October +25..+26°C. The wind blows constantly on the islands, which helps to endure the summer heat well. There is little precipitation during the year, mostly in January-February.
CURRENCY
The escudo is rigidly pegged to the euro. The exchange rate is 110.265 escudos for 1 euro. 1 US dollar is equal to » 80 escudos.
TRANSPORT
Renting a vehicle costs » 50-80 euros per day.
The state of roads in the country is good. Most of the islands are dominated by mountain roads, while the islands of Sal, Boavista and Mayu have a flat landscape. In Cape Verde, the roads drive on the right.
The main fuels are household gas (butane) ($24 per 12.5 kg), gasoline ($1.81 per litre) and diesel ($1.27 per litre).
There are no toll roads in the country.
The national Russian driver’s license is recognized in the country, but it is preferable to purchase an international driver’s license. In the event of an accident, the police must be called.
Domestic flights between the islands of Santiago, Boavista, Sal, Sao Nicolau, Santo Antao and Sao Vicente are operated by Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde (www.tacv.cv). Flights are operated 1-2 times a day in each of the directions, except for the island of Sal (4 flights per day). The cost of flights varies from $40 to $80 one way. The company offers the so-called Air Pass, which is 10 coupons for flights between the islands within 22 days. Coupons cost $380.
The fare for public transport in the city is » 0.3 euros, the cost of a taxi in the city is 1-2 euros, the fare for a taxi from the airport to the city center is » 10 euros. The distance between the city center and the airport on all islands is minimal, » 10-15 minutes by car.
Bus service, as a regular mode of transport, is absent on the islands. As a rule, 12-seater minibuses, popularly called “Carrinhos”, run around the islands. They depart as they fill with passengers and connect the main cities with villages located in the depths of the islands. Communication is quite frequent and on the larger islands (Santiago, Fogo, Sal) traveling by public transport is easy and convenient. At the same time, on small islands (Brava, Santa Luzia, etc.), the only transport can be only a taxi.
Taxis are available on all major islands (Santiago, Sal, Fogo, Mayu, Santo Antan). Given that taxis can often be the only possible means of transport (especially on smaller islands), prices can be quite high.
COMMUNICATION
Russian operators do not have GPRS-roaming. Major hotels offer Internet access. You can also use Internet services in business centers of large cities. There are few pay phones, there are at airports and post offices.
There are two mobile phone companies in Cape Verde, KV Movel and T+.
The local mobile operator operates in the GSM 900 band, G3 and G4 operate. Subscribers of “MTS” and “MegaFon” are offered to use Thuraya satellite communication. Beeline subscribers should clarify information about roaming immediately before the trip. Travelers are encouraged to buy local SIM cards on the spot. The price is 20 euros. International calls – 0.5 euro/minute.
Country code: +238. Useful phone numbers in the country:
Praia: Central Hospital – 130, fire department – 131, police – 132;
o.Sal: Central Hospital – 2411130, fire department – 2411131, police – 2411132;
o.San Vicente: Central Hospital – 2327355, fire department – 2325231, police – 2314631 or 132.
Single help desk telephone number for all islands – 102.
Aeroflot: representative office on the island of Sal – hotel `Aeroflot`, PO Box 49, Santa Mary, tel. (238) 42-13-00, 42-13-01, 42-13-02, fax 42-13-02; office at the international airport. A. Cabral on about. Sal, tel. 41-11-80.
VOLTAGE
Electric voltage in the network – 220 watts.