Bonjour, je vous suis depuis longtemps.... Voilà nous partons à Santiago cap vert, nous avons pris une location à Tarrafal pour 2 semaines. Combien peut couter un taxi privé pour se rendre 1 journée au marché de PRAIA sucupira ? Peut on prendre un colletif de Tarrafal pour la Ribeira de Barca ? Merci beaucoup pour votre blog . Nous partons du 8 mars au 22 mars , merci pour vos réponses. 😉

Hello, We’ve just returned (2 senior couples) from 18 days in Cape Verde (21/01 to 7/02) that we really enjoyed. The temperature was great—20° to 27°—admittedly a bit windy at times, but the friendliness of the Cape Verdeans made up for it. Paris Orly, direct flight with Transavia (cheap if you book in advance). We landed in São Vicente, with a 12 € city transfer. We had a fantastic 2-bedroom apartment in downtown Mindelo—Av. Fernando Ferreira Fortes, "Casa So Morabeza"—for 58 € per night. The owner lives in France and communicates instantly via WhatsApp. We spent 2 days exploring the (beautiful) city of Mindelo and its port activity, plus a private taxi tour of the island (6000 CVE for the day). Then we took the Armas ferry (recommended company—1500 CVE) to Santo Antão. From there, a collectivo (450 CVE per person) took us to Ribeira Grande, a central base for hikes. We stayed in a brand-new, modern, and well-equipped 2-bedroom apartment—*Apartamentos Modernos*—for 6770 CVE per night, staying 6 nights. I highly recommend it for its location in town and proximity to *aluguers* and *collectivos* for hiking. The hikes were stunning: - The coastal trail from Fontainhas to Cruzinha (taxi for 1500 CVE) - The route from Corda to Coculi (taxi for 2000 CVE + 100 CVE per person for the return) - The trail from Cova to Cidade de Pombas (taxi for 2000 CVE + 100 CVE per person for the return) - The hike from Miradouro to Ribeira Grande (taxi for 2000 CVE) - The coastal road from Ribeira Grande to Ponta do Sol (visit and lunch at *Mini Familiar* in the city center—excellent and affordable) for the round trip. Ribeira Grande has plenty of restaurants, but avoid *5 de Julho*—it’s loud and slow. We loved: *Bellcanto*, *Cantinho da Amizade*, and *Boca-Fina Churrasqueria*. Meals with drinks cost around 800–1000 CVE. Back to São Vicente by ferry (1500 CVE), then an airport transfer (12 €) and a flight (99 €) to Santiago’s Praia. The airport-to-city transfer was 15 €. We stayed at *Kelly’s* in Plato, Praia, which was disappointing—not ideal for two couples—but well-located. One day was spent visiting the massive *Suspicia* market, then a collectivo to Cidade Velha (2 x 200 CVE round trip per person). We hiked up to the fort, explored *Rua Banana*, and had lunch at *Praça do Mar* by the beach. We rented a car for 6 days (29000 CVE) from *Slimpycar* in Praia. On Saturday, we visited the huge *Assomada* market—don’t miss it!—then hiked to *Boa Entrada* and *Poilon*, the largest and most impressive tree we’ve ever seen. We stayed for 2 nights (138 €) in a beautiful valley in *Picos*—a spacious, lovely house with 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a large living area, surrounded by nature and animals. Lina, the charming neighbor, prepared dinner (8.50 €) and breakfast (4.50 €) for us. Next, we headed to *Tarrafal*, stopping to visit the concentration camp (500 CVE)—a must-see—before arriving. We spent 3 nights (184 €) in a fantastic house called *"Maison Familiale"*—huge, with 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 2 kitchens, 5 toilets, and a large terrace with sea views. It was absolutely stunning and very close to the beach and numerous restaurants. We did a beautiful 3.8 km hike to the *Farol da Ponta Preta* lighthouse. Tarrafal’s beach is lively and pleasant, with bars, restaurants, and even acrobats! We also explored *Ribeira da Prata* to see the *Piscina Natural de Cuba* (not easy to find). We loved discovering isolated villages like *Ponta Furna*, *Ponta Labrão*, and *Fazenda*. For food, I recommend *Mira Mar* at *Mama’s*. On the way back to Praia, we took the east coast route via *Calheta de São Miguel*, *Pedra Badejo*, and *Praia Baixo*—nothing extraordinary, just a rugged, wild coastline with beaches that seemed a bit tricky to access. Our last evening in Praia was nice. The seaside esplanade was lively, and many Cape Verdeans were swimming at *Prainha* beach, which seemed very accessible and safe. If you’d like more info—addresses, etc.—feel free to message me privately. I’ll respond. Jacquesler.

Hi there,

I’ve been looking for a destination for a 2-week trip early next spring, and Cape Verde has been growing on me. (The flight isn’t too long, the temperatures are more than pleasant, and it’s an unknown country for me.)

The thing is, Cape Verde is pretty complicated when it comes to inter-island transfers, and I don’t want to spend my time in airports or on ferries—especially since those transfers aren’t exactly known for their reliability...

So, I’d like to limit internal flights to just 2, meaning the island I arrive on plus one other.

I’ve ruled out the all-inclusive islands: Sal and Boa Vista.

I’m torn between combining Santo Antão + São Vicente or Fogo + Santiago.

The goal of the trip is to see beautiful landscapes, go on day hikes (nothing multi-day), swim a little—though I prefer quiet spots—and enjoy 1 or 2 days in a city, but not much more than that!

In your opinion, which option would be the best, and why?

Thanks! :)

Hello,

We’ve booked our tickets for July—there’ll be 4 of us, maybe 6 (all in our sixties). We’d like to visit 4 islands: Arrival in Praia on July 8th Return from São Vicente on July 29th

Between those dates, I’m not sure how to split our time across each island. We’ll definitely spend at least a week on Santo Antão. We’re planning to visit Santiago, Fogo, São Vicente, and Santo Antão. We’re looking for easy hikes, diving, sightseeing, and a little beach time (but not too much). How do you think we should divide the 3 weeks among the islands? Is 3 days in Fogo enough? Are guides essential, and can we easily find them on the spot? Should we rent a car, given we won’t just be hiking?

Thanks in advance for your advice, tips, warnings, and anything else you can share… and I’ve still got plenty more questions! Valéry

Hello, my wife and I are planning a trip to Cape Verde at the end of May for 20 days. We’re still unsure which islands to prioritize (they all look amazing!). Santo Antão and São Vicente seem like must-sees. Which other islands should we visit, given that we love hiking (nothing too challenging) and swimming? Thanks

Bonjour, est-il nécessaire de réserver tous les trajets inter iles au Cap Vert à l'avance. Peut-on se permettre de compter sur les horaires et dates de départ annoncés et de choisir sa destination au jour le jour si on prévoit de visiter par exemple Santiago, Sao Vicente et Sao Antao en 12 jours? Merci Herviche

The tours offered by tour operators in France don't work for me, except for TUI—its 15-day itinerary is great but too expensive for my budget. I’m planning to travel with my sister in March or April 2025 and would love to find a local agency that offers tours, even in small groups. Thanks for your suggestions! Tanya6675

Hi everyone! The forum has been a huge help during my moments of doubt, and since Cape Verde isn’t a destination with many discussions, I felt I had to share my trip report 🙂

First, the EASE: I could never validate it from my phone—I tried 50 times without success, and on the computer, it worked the first time. Then, Cabo Verde Airlines: forget online check-in. I went to the airport early to get my window seat (and in the end, the plane wasn’t full—I had three seats to myself, so I could finish my night peacefully). No in-flight entertainment for those who don’t sleep on planes.

Monday 9: Flight + arrival at Antonio’s (Oia Mindelo Guesthouse). Antonio’s apartment is up on the hill, but really, it’s only a 10-minute walk to the beach and 10 minutes to the city center (depending on where in the center). He picked me up at the airport (1000$). I continued relaxing by doing... nothing on the beach. Dinner in town at Café Mindelo: a pretty place, but otherwise meh—expensive and not necessarily good (2100$ for a beer and a fish that didn’t seem freshly caught as advertised). Tuesday 10: Antonio offered to do a tour of the island (for cheap), and we left with his other guests (a lovely English couple, 76 and 77 years old). Stops at Salamansa (I felt something special on that beach—I could’ve stayed there for an hour doing nothing), then another scenic spot, a restaurant, and Baias das Gatas (I took a quick dip, but to me, it had less charm than Salamansa). Then we crossed the island to return to São Pedro (beautiful but windy; the village looks cute). Exhausted, I went to bed early because of the ferry to Santo Antão the next day. Wednesday 11: Antonio took me to the ferry, and we’ll see each other again since he’s hosting me at his aunt’s place during Carnival. On the ferry, I had a Booking.com reservation for what I thought was in Ribeira Grande (the town), but it was actually *in* the ribeira—specifically in Manta Velha (aluguer to Cruzinha ~600$). I thought I’d fallen into a hole, but I ended up loving it—Casa Familiar Gilda. Gilda is a divine cook (dinner for 1000$—don’t eat lunch, or there won’t be room), the village has a typical rural Santo Antão vibe, the place has great energy, and you can get around easily by aluguer. Thursday 12: I left early by aluguer to Ribeira Grande (250$), then another aluguer to Ponta do Sol (100$)—a sleepy beauty at that hour—to do the Ponta do Sol-Cruzinha hike, finishing in Cha de Igreja. Departure at 8:22 AM from the cemetery in Ponta do Sol, passing through Fontainhas (those doing it the other way will have a fabulous climb at the end 😏), and let’s go! I loved this glimpse of rural life—past or present—the sea is stunning, and we were shaded most of the way (though it goes up and down, it’s manageable). The arrival at Cha de Mar is breathtaking, and Cruzinha is a charming little town (arrived at 12:30 PM). I’d brought my swimsuit after reading there was a beach, but I packed it back up—too many waves and big pebbles. I continued to Cha de Igreja (25 more minutes) after a short break (ask for the path that doesn’t go by the road). It’s adorable with its church square (you don’t see this layout much elsewhere). I might’ve stayed longer to enjoy the place, but a taxi driver asked if I wanted to return to Manta Velha (1000$), and like a fool, I said yes (it was 2:30 PM—I could’ve waited for the 4:30 PM aluguer for 100$, but oh well). But since I still had energy, I decided to see if I could find a grog distillery. I ran into a French guy arriving at Gilda’s, and we ended up talking to Rodrigo, who explained everything from A to Z about how they make grog (the simple cane juice is amazingly good—but the work is clearly tough). Friday 13: Transfer to Xoxo on Djalma’s advice 😉, where I’d booked a room at Casa Xoxo. I did the hike to Rabo Crusto... it’s tough, but I kept quiet when I saw a pregnant woman doing it with her two little ones 😄. There’s also a distillery I didn’t linger in, and I took a tea break with that wonderful landscape before heading back. I couldn’t find the path Jean-Michel had told me about (take a right at the village entrance), so I went back down to the water reservoir to turn off and take the waterfall path (anyone can point it out if needed). The bedding at Casa Xoxo was perfect, but the dinner atmosphere was less family-like. Saturday 14: No one at Casa Xoxo could tell me when the aluguer passed, so I scarfed down my breakfast and headed down a bit. I found one (not sure if he’d planned to work, but there were three of us, so he left). Arrived in Ribeira Grande, an aluguer driver told me the coastal road to Porto Novo was closed and we had to take the Corde road—but no one was leaving, so we’d have to charter... Sometimes, you just have to say it: aluguer drivers say there’s no ride just to make you pay the private price (3500$). But this time, it was true! With another French couple, we wanted to go to Tarrafal. Our driver called the Porto Novo-Tarrafal aluguer to wait for us. The Corde road is stunning—more different landscapes (thorny forest, misty peaks...). Changed aluguers in Porto Novo and headed to Tarrafal. Another world—lunar landscape on the way. Arrived in Tarrafal and relaxed. Sunday 15: Hike from Tarrafal to Monte Trigo, left at 8 AM, and I’m glad I did—I was in the shade until about 9:30 AM, then the sun got strong. Beautiful walk, arrived in Monte Trigo around 11:30 AM. The people weren’t particularly friendly, but oh well. Swam at the little beach in Monte Trigo (the water is *so* good). I waited for other French people who had “booked” a boat for the return. Came back with Javi (50 min—1000$ each), who lent us masks and snorkels for some snorkeling. Had grog with Ludo, Estelle’s husband, who was waiting at the bar, then filled my grog bottle at the *mercearia*. I admit, it’s delicious, but I don’t remember much of that evening 😇🤪. Except Javi put on a show saying he’d been robbed, had no money, and needed to pay the boat owner, etc. People paid again (apparently not me, since Ludo, Estelle, and I arrived at the restaurant after Javi’s drama). FYI, Javi does this often—my host had warned the couple renting the other room to watch out for him because he scams people for money. So Javi is 35 with hazel/special-colored eyes. But if you don’t repay the “service,” the day was still great. Monday 16: Several of us were taking the late-afternoon boat, so we chartered an aluguer (7000$) to avoid the 6 AM one—trip—boat to Mindelo. Antonio picked me up at the ferry, and boom—Carnival! I found a spot on Rua de Lisboa. My neighbor was from Santo Antão just for Carnival, spoke French, and explained that last year’s Carnival started 3 hours late because a float couldn’t fit under the power lines 😏 (like they don’t know the height by now hahaha). On Monday, it’s the teachers (nice—kind of a warm-up) and the Madingas. Once they passed my spot, I followed them along the route—I LOVED it! By midnight, they still hadn’t reached Praça Nova, and the police told them to speed up, but I loved that energy! Tuesday 17—Mardi Gras: Beach day, then Carnival! Antonio had bought me a seated ticket just in case (300$). Ended up in front of a punch stand, where I ran into two French women I’d met in Manta Velha. Two guys from Mindelo talked to us, and we did Carnival with them. And what was bound to happen, happened: a float couldn’t pass because... it was taller than the power lines 😏😏😏. The dancers kept dancing while the crowd tried to lift the cable. Finally, a guy in a tree climbed higher and used a pole to lift it... and the parade could continue 😉. Around 12:30–1:30 AM, when the concert was supposed to start, the power went out. I went home and later learned the concert started around 3 AM. Wednesday 18: I went home because I was taking the boat back to Santo Antão, heading to Casa Familiar Gilda. Walked the loop from Manta Velha. Thursday 19: Left early for Ribeira da Paul to do the loop to Sandra’s House. It’s truly breathtaking! Back at Gilda’s, I chilled. I wanted to go to Sinagoga’s natural pools, but the hike had worn me out. Friday 20: Return to Mindelo on the red company’s ferry—no comparison: way more comfortable than the blue company’s, especially for someone prone to seasickness. Beach. Exhausted, I struggled to sleep because the shop on the ground floor of my rental had a party until 3 AM (and the windows aren’t double-glazed—*hi*—but that’s common in Mindelo). Saturday 21: Ran into Estelle and Ludo by chance (the city’s small), and we arranged to share a taxi the next day since we had the same return flight. Beach (I tried Lazaretto Beach, but nope—not great—dead fish + weird smell = bad signs). So Laginhia was fine, and in the evening, a restaurant with singers, then Caravelle (the ground-floor shop didn’t bother me since I got home when they were saying goodbye 😏). Too bad—I dance salsa, bachata, kompa, zouk, but not kizomba hahaha, but it was still fun. Sunday 22: Took a taxi with Ludo and Estelle (1200$). Arrived *ages* before takeoff (no exchange office—get escudos in town if you have any left). Boom—CDG, boom—RER... home.

There you go—a super long trip report. Not sure if it’ll help, but the digital detox was amazing. These two islands are very different but so beautiful. I only got a glimpse, but they’re worth the trip. I was lucky to see Carnival (what joy in that city!) and happy the Cambodia ticket (my first idea) was way too expensive 😉

Easily accessible from Sal or São Vicente, São Nicolau is the forgotten island of the Barlavento group. With two large villages, volcanoes, jagged peaks, lush valleys, and vast rocky expanses, it has nothing to envy its big sister Santo Antão. It’s slipped under travelers’ radar a bit (in January, there were probably fewer than a hundred European tourists on the whole island), and that’s just fine! Accommodations aren’t overrun by groups like in Santo Antão, and connecting with locals is even easier. But don’t come to São Nicolau for wild nightlife—it’s incredibly peaceful here, and on Sundays, it’s total silence!

A little favorite of mine: Pensão Jardim in Ribeira Brava, the capital; Residencial Palice in Queimadas; and especially Pousada d’Anna in Estância de Brás, where the raging sea crashes against the black lava spurs.

Weather-wise, it was chilly this year but perfect for hiking. If you’re up high (like Monte Gordo), dress warmly or wait for spring! Fog gusts can ground you completely. Trails are generally less marked than in Santo Antão; if you’re wary of apps, you can find a 1:50,000 map at the small travel agency in Tarrafal.

Those who enjoy sharing experiences with other travelers over a Strela or two in the evening might feel a bit frustrated on São Nicolau, but the island’s beauty, the resilience of its farmers in extreme conditions, and the kindness of its people make it a fantastic stop for any visitor to Cape Verde!

Hi there, I’m leaving for Cape Verde at the end of the week. I’ve heard that transportation isn’t very reliable, so I’d love your advice: - My return flight is from Sal on the night of August 13–14 - I’ll be in São Vicente until August 10 - I found an indirect flight (São Vicente–Praia–Sal) on August 9–10 and a ferry on August 10 as well - I’m traveling alone with two kids, ages 6 and 9

In your opinion, which option is more reliable and comfortable?

Thanks!

Bonjour,

Je pars pour le Cap Vert fin février 2020 pour visiter et randonner sur les Iles de Santiago, Fogo et Brava. J'ai vu que les liaisons maritimes entre les îles sont assurées depuis le mois d'aôut dernier par la société Interilhas (site internet CV Interilhas). En navigant sur leur site, je trouve les horaires des 15 jours à venir et encore, avec des erreurs évidentes, comme 4 départs le même jour de Santiago à Santo Antao et aucun pour toutes les autres îles, ou 3 retours de Fogo à Santiago le même jour sans aucun aller. J'aimerais savoir s'il y a moyen de connaitre au moins les jours de départ pour les iles de Fogo et Brava, ceci pour me permettre d'effectuer certaines résas (hébergements notamment) Merci d'avance pour les réponses. Jean-Luc

Bonjour tout le monde

J'aimerais me rendre à st louis depuis dakhla qui peut me renseigner sur: les différents moyens de transport ? le prix trajets et durée totale ? Et si il y'a covoiturage et si oui comment trouver ? En attendant une réponse je vous remercie d'avance.

Hi everyone, After a year where I’ve worked way too much and with a house under renovation, it’s become essential to take a breather. My contract ends on 01/30, and I’ll try to find a new client for early March, so overall, let’s go somewhere in February! I thought Réunion with the full trek around the Mafate cirque for reconnecting with Nature would be perfect, but since it’s cyclone season, it wasn’t such a great idea. Then came the idea that Southeast Asia could fulfill the peace-and-beach vibe, especially Cambodia with its cultural past, but the flight ticket price and a chat with a friend made me change my mind—and boom, Cape Verde popped up, with Santo Antão for hiking and São Vicente for culture and the beach. So I bought a ticket a week ago, and oh, what a coincidence—it’s during Carnival! Except now, I don’t know if it’s reality or just exhaustion talking, but I feel like I’m making a mess of things. I’ve traveled a lot without even booking the first night, but this time, I pre-booked 2 nights in Mindelo (though one of them ended up canceling itself). But the main issue is that I arrive on Monday, 02/09 at 6 PM and leave on Sunday, 02/22 at 11 AM, and there’s a little hiccup in the logical organization—actually, several hiccups—since I don’t really have any organization right now, and that’s where I need help Because Carnival is in full swing from 02/15 to 02/17, right in the middle of my trip, so the logic of my visit to Santo Antão isn’t clicking for me. Plus, I just checked, and there’s zero accommodation available in Mindelo from 02/15 to 02/18 😕 So I don’t know: should I skip Carnival, should I forget about planning and just wing it once I’m there, should I stay on São Vicente after Carnival (because I read Montaganrd’s trip report, and he made São Vicente sound like a rock !), or should I keep in mind the option of heading to Santiago afterward and buying a return flight to Paris from Praia? I need help 🏴‍☠️

Bonjour, Pour une petite douzaine de jours en avril 2020 au Cap Vert, avec comme point de chute principal Santa Antao, j'ai deux options : 1/ Paris Praia puis bateau Praia Santo Antao et idem retour parce que je trouve des AR Paris Praia pas cher

2/ ou Paris Sao Vicente (plus cher) puis bateau Mindelo Santa Antao

En fait la question revient à ce choix du bateau Praia Santa Antao : recommandable ou pas? Surtout que deux jours à Santiago ça doit être plus intéressant que deux jours à Sao Vicente non? Bref, merci de vos conseils éclairés. Herviche

bonjour,

une fois arrivés à Kedougou, quelqu'un sait il ou l'on passe en Guinée ? (je suis "à pied" donc en transports locaux)

j'ai beau fureter sur GoogleMap, je ne vois pas bien...

merci de vos réponses 🙂

Hi, Without booking in advance through an agency, is it possible/easy to organize luggage transfer from one night to the next between accommodations in Santo Antão? Thanks.

Bonjour, Une super info!! noticiasdonorte.publ.cv/...Y8sm2xBAC68OKbibJp6M

Pour ceux qui ne parlent pas portugais: Depuis le 15 aout 2019 (hier donc), la compagnie Cabo Verde Inter-Ilhas (CVI) a commencé son activité. C'est elle qui va dorénavant gérer le service maritime au Cap vert entre les îles . CVI est un nouvel armateur capverdien, créé en 2019, avec lequel le gouvernement capverdien a créé un contrat de concession pour 20 ans, pour un service public de transport maritime inter-îles de personnes et de cargaisons. et il va y avoir 6 lignes reliant les îles entre elles. Et certaines liaisons qui étaient inexistantes et qui vont devenir presque quotidiennes, comme entre Sal et Boa Vista! Enfin!!!

Avec un tout nouveau site internet pour avoir les horaires actualisés des 4 ferrys en fonction actuellement (Liberdadi, Kriola, Interilhas e Praia d'Aguada). et d'ici peu il sera aussi possible d'acheter les billets on-line semble-t-il. A vérifier si cela fonctionne bien. www.cvinterilhas.cv/home

Si cela fonctionne, ça va nous changer la vie!!! Bon voyage à tous Marie

Bonjour,

En fonction des billets d'avions que nous allons trouver (départ Luxembourg ou Francfort), nous souhaiterions passer 12 à 14 jours au Cap Vert à partir du 14 février

Nous partons avec 3 enfants de 13 à 17 ans qui ont été habitués à voyager sac à dos.

Plage, rando, découvertes des gens, de leur culture, leur mode de vie. Visiter des villages, se balader dans la nature. Nous aimons beaucoup de choses.

Quel itinéraire nous conseilleriez vous? En sachant qu'on aime le mouvement, mais en prenant le temps de découvrir. Combien d'îles? Lesquels?

Merci d'avance

Lionel

Hi everyone, I’m planning a trip to Senegal in early July 2026 for a week with my teenage daughter. We’ll be staying in a bungalow at Club Les Filaos. I’d love to hear your advice, especially about visits and excursions. The hotel offers them directly, but I’m wondering if it’s better to go with their organized tours or hire local guides you’d recommend. What do you think are the pros and cons of each option? I’d also appreciate tips on currency exchange—where’s the best place to do it to avoid any nasty surprises? Finally, if anyone’s stayed at this hotel recently, I’d love to hear your thoughts! I’ve read both glowing and terrible reviews, so I’d really value your firsthand experiences.

Thanks in advance for your tips and feedback! !

Hi everyone who loves Santo Antão in Cape Verde! 🙂

I’m arriving at São Vicente Airport in Cape Verde around 2:00 PM. Are there buses or *aluguer* that go to Mindelo, and is it possible to catch a ferry to Santo Antão right after, or is it better to leave the next day?

Thanks so much for your help

Bonjour à tous,

Je prévois d'aller faire un petit tour au Sénégal (une 12aine de jours) avec mon père et un ami. Pour ma part je connais la région de Saly / lac rose, que j'ai visité il y a 15ans, c'est pourquoi on va se diriger vers st louis cette fois et pourquoi pas faire un crochet vers le fleuve. Le but étant de sortir des itinéraires touristiques classiques quitte à louper les endroits "cartes postales" J'ai du coup plusieurs questions:

Trucs sympa à voir, à faire sur st louis et sa région?

J'aimerai bien organiser une journée (ou1/2 journée) de pêche (pas trop roots car mon père a 75ans) pensez vous qu'il vaut mieux passer par une agence ou voir directement avec les pêcheurs du coin?

Quel quartier de st louis me conseilleriez vous pour poser nos valises? à la fois central, typique et reposant. (oui je sais j'en demande beaucoup!!!)

J'aimerai bien faire un tour (2ou3jours) vers le fleuve dans des endroits moins touristique manière de voir le sénégal profond, que me conseilleriez vous sans faire des heures et des heures de route? J'ai vu Richard toll sur la carte ça me semble pas mal? Combien de temps pensez vous qu'il faut pour faire la boucle en revenant par Louga? A moins que vous ayez une autre région sympa ou aller faire un tour?

Dans la mesure du possible, on aimerait voyager sans guide (je sais qu'au senegal c'est pas tjs facile du moins dans la région de Saly) est ce que c'est pareil dans le Nord?

Je cherche un endroit sympa sur la côte entre st louis et dakar (en évitant les usines à touriste du genre Lompoul) pour passer une nuit, que pensez vous de Mboro? y'a t'il moyen de s'y loger pour la nuit?

Pour le retour je pense rester une paire de jours sur dakar afin d'explorer un peu la capitale avant de rentrer au bercail, quel quartier me conseilleriez vous pour se poser?

Tout ça en sachant que j'ai pas mal voyager un peu partout, dont plusieurs mois Mauritanie-Mali... Que j'aime bien laisser une part d'imprévu au voyage (surtout en afrique)et qu'il y a mon père de 75ans qui ne peut pas avoir un rythme de jeune homme!!! Merci à tous à l'avance pour vos réponses, si vous avez de bonnes adresses je suis preneur.

Hi

Which taxi app do you recommend for Senegal? Are there shared taxis from Dakar Airport to La Somone? If not, do you have an idea of the price for a taxi?

Thanks in advance

Hi,

I arrive in Fogo at 11 a.m. (if the ferry is on time) from the ferry departing Praia. From what I understand, the collectivos to Cha das Caldeiras leave late morning? Do you think I can leave the same day?

My question is: should I spend a night in São Filipe? I don’t want to take a taxi—it’s too expensive.

Thanks,

Patrice

Bonjour à tous,

Je poste ce message car j'essaie de prévoir un semblant de programme pour l'été prochain ( juillet/aout). Nous partons avec ma femme pour 3 semaines en sac à dos au Cap Vert et prévoyons de voyager d'îles en îles.

Nous envisageons de faire :

SAL (arrivée et retour depuis l'aéroport international) SAO NICOLAU SAO VINCENTE SANTO ANTAO SANTIAGO FOGO

Je suis un peu perdu pour réussir à trouver des horaires ou le calendrier des traversées. Je trouve tout et n'importe quoi, mais surtout pas grand chose...

Première question :

a-t-on besoin de réserver les traversées à l'avance ? même question pour les logements à cette époque ? Avons-nous moyen de trouver un départ tous les jours (ou presque) de chaque île en bateau, en jouant avec les différentes compagnies de ferry ? Pour les îles dont l'infrastructure aéroportuaire le permet, recommanderiez-vous plutôt des trajets en avion ? (SAL / SAO NICOLAU / SAO VINCENTE / SANTIAGO)

Par avance merci pour vos précieux conseils.

Aurélia & Jérémy

Bonjour nous sommes au Cap Vert , nous allons aller sur Santa Antao . Quel est le meilleur point de chute pour faire des randonnées douces en étoile ? Nous sommes 3 et préférerions un hébergement ou l on peut se préparer quelques repas. Des idées ? Merci Patricia

Bonsoir à tous et en particulier aux amis du Cap Vert , deux voyageuses m'ont déjà bien aidée mais j'ai encore quelque soucis pour les logements car nous avons besoin de 4 chambres . Casadmar n'a pas assez de disponibilités pour notre groupe, avez-vous une autre bonne adresse à Ponta do Sol ? nous recherchons aussi une adresse pour 4 nuits à Praia , une autre pour 3 nuits à Fogo, une autre pour 3 nuits à Mindelo ...nous ne souhaitons pas de logements luxueux mais des adresses confortables et sympathiques adaptées à des seniors au budget correct. Merci de tout coeur pour votre aide. Marie et Mario

January 2025 We had to negotiate hard to get an official yellow taxi at the airport to go to Yene, one of the villages closest to the airport. Exchange rate at the airport was bad: 630 XOF for 1 €. Taxi fare: 15,000 XOF = 24 €. It’s still quite far from the airport. The driver won’t know the place, so it’s better to have the location saved on a GPS like Organic Maps or similar.

La Résidence Keur Fleurie in Yene Hotel fleurie residence Address: Route de Toubab Dialaw Phone: +221 78 484 95 95 19,000 CFA (about 30 €) for two people per night. Dinner was a single dish for 5,000 CFA (very expensive for just one plate). Breakfast: 2,500 CFA. The place is in a very small fishing village. No restaurants, no bars. If you go there, you’ll have to eat and have breakfast on-site. There’s nothing to do in the area in the evening. The room and bathroom are nice, the beds are comfortable—one large and one small. The Wi-Fi barely works. There are mosquitoes. You’ll need to ask for towels, top sheets, and blankets if needed. To get back to the city, take bus 228 to the train station. You’ll need to go to the paved road and wait. Bus fare: 500 XOF. You arrive at Bargny station, and surprisingly, there’s a high-standard train—cleaner and more efficient than the best TER trains. It’s almost unreal. The cheap train takes you into Dakar. Just choose the station closest to your destination.

Apartment Villa Lumière Tel +221 77 710 91 79 Address: Scat Urbam (Hlm Grand Yoff) Rue Gy 178 in Dakar If you see this apartment on booking.com, **do not go**—it’s a dump. Don’t trust the photos, unless you’re into "roots"-style places, then it’s up to you. For one night without booking: 12,000 CFA for two people. One large bed, no Wi-Fi. It feels like walking into a squat. Once inside the apartment, it’s better, but everything is run-down. The guy is very nice, but this apartment has no business being on an online booking site!

Gorée Island There are several departures per day. Crossing takes half an hour. Price: 5,000 CFA.

To Saint Louis From Liberté 6, Demdick buses leave twice a day. They’re comfortable but often full, so book in advance. Price: 5,000 CFA, and it takes 5 hours to get there. First night at Chez Marie, found on Airbnb. It’s not on the island—it’s in the Balacos neighborhood, Rue BL 16 or 14, near Rue Modu Sow Ousmane. The house is nice and quiet. The hosts take great care of you. The room is good, with Wi-Fi, and breakfast is included in the price. Price for two people: 20,000 CFA (30 €).

Another hotel on the island: Hôtel du Palais. Rue Ababacar (Tel: (221) 33 961 17 72 / 78 137 47 07). 25,000 CFA (39 €) for two people without breakfast. It’s the cheapest we could find. It’s old-fashioned. In the bathroom, there’s no water pressure in the shower, though it’s hot. You’ll have to ask multiple times—or even harass them—to get top sheets, blankets if needed, and towels. The mattresses aren’t comfortable—one large bed and one small. Wi-Fi in the room. Prices in Saint Louis are very high, and the quality of the hotels really doesn’t justify such steep rates.

Restaurants: (in my opinion) One of the best is Le Fleuve Plus. Rue Blaise Diagne. The best: La Linguère, on the same street.

Shared taxi (7-seater) to Rosso, Senegal, to cross the border into Mauritania (the border is the Senegal River). Go to the garage (bus/taxi station). From there, only shared 7-seater taxis make the trip, and they only leave when full. In front of each spot, a sign indicates the taxi’s destination. It costs 2,500 CFA—if you’re lucky. Otherwise, they’ll charge you an extra 500 CFA for luggage. If you can, choose the seat next to the driver (by far the best). Ironically, you have to wear a seatbelt even though the taxi is a rolling wreck! Otherwise, pick the seats behind the driver and prioritize the window side. The back seats are very uncomfortable.

By contacting hotels directly, you won’t pay the booking.com fee, which can add up to several euros.

Hi, We’re heading to Cape Verde in January. We’re scheduled to arrive in Praia on a Saturday around 11 AM. I read somewhere that the exchange rate for Euros to Escudos is the same everywhere—110 escudos for 1 euro. Can anyone confirm this? If that’s the case, I assume there’s a currency exchange desk at the airport, and the rate isn’t too bad? So, it’s better to exchange at the airport, right? What do you think? I don’t want to use ATMs. Otherwise, are banks in town open on Saturdays? I read they close by 3 PM?

Hi everyone,

I’d like to share our travel plans for March 2026 to get your valuable feedback...

- Arrival in Sao Vicente on Tuesday, March 3rd at 9:20 AM from Lisbon (EasyJet) - Direct departure the same day or the next day for Santo Antao – 3 or 4 nights on Santo Antao (depending on whether we spend the first night in Mindelo or on Santo Antao) - Return to Sao Vicente for 3 nights - Flight to Boa Vista via Sal (Cabo Verde Airlines) on Tuesday, March 10th – 5 nights on Boa Vista - Return flight on Sunday, March 15th (Boa Vista to Porto: EasyJet)

Given the various bits of info I’ve seen about the unreliability of inter-island transport, is this itinerary realistically doable without stress? Would it be better to just take a simple flight from Sao Vicente to Sal and end the trip there (from where it’s also possible to return to Europe or France)? I’m still more drawn to Boa Vista... but I’m worried that two flights in a row might be complicated, unless it’s the same plane that just makes a stopover and continues...

Also, I’m calling on the expertise of hikers for Santo Antao: I’m not a big sports enthusiast—I enjoy walking when I travel, but not distances much longer than 10 km, and nothing too difficult (especially steep climbs where I quickly run out of breath)... For the hike from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha: can you confirm that the hike is easier in the direction from Ponta do Sol to Cruzinha (less climbing)? I’ve found info that this hike is 14 km and takes about 5 hours. Do you think it’s possible to shorten it by taking a taxi or *aluguer* to Fontainhas? If so, how long would the hike be then, and how much time would it take?

For the hike from Xoxo (starting at the Bela Vista kiosk on the Cova road), I’ve found info that it’s 12 km and takes 5 hours of walking. I think it goes to Ribeira Grande. Apparently, you can shorten the hike and find *aluguers* on the road near Café Melicia... In that case, do you know how long the hike would be? Is this the hike that lets you walk along *levadas* (like in Madeira), cross banana plantations, and pass by the Cachoeira de Vinha waterfall?

Sorry for all these questions, but I can’t find a guide with hikes and difficulty levels... I think two hikes (one along the coast and one inland with terraces, *levadas*, and banana plantations) would suit our level.

On the third free day, do you think we could rent a 4x4 to explore: take the two scenic routes on the east side and maybe venture a little off the beaten path (without taking risks, of course)... Otherwise, hire a guide for the day: do you have any recommendations and an idea of the price?

One last thing: in March, is it worth (or pointless) to choose accommodation with a pool (especially on Santo Antao)? Is the pool water warm enough? What about the ocean temperature?

Thanks so much for your help, have a great day!

Voici un rapide résumé :

1er jour Départ de Genève pour Sao Vicente, escale à Lisbonne, arrivée vers midi, dépôt des bagages au Terra Lodge (fantastique) et départ pour visite de la ville et plage Laghina, super sympa. Piscine et repas en ville.

2ème jour Tour de l’île complet avec balade autour des volcans à Calhau et Monte Verde (2x matin et soir), piscine et repos

3ème jour Ferry pour Santo Antao, un taxi nous attende et nous dépose au cratère de Cova (magnifique !), montée du cratère et descente dans la vallée de Paul. C’est splendide (1500 m de dénivelé quand même !) Arrivée chez Hujo (bof)

4ème jour Visite de l’île en taxi avec la route de la Corde au complet, Ribeira das Patas et Alto Mira. Génial, nuit à Ponta do Sol chez Casa D’Mar (bof)

5ème jour Marche de Ponta do Sol à Cruzinha, magnifique Fontainhas ! Arrivée à Kasa d’Igreja vers 14h00, site fantastique et accueil fabuleux, là on serait resté un jour supplémentaire !

6ème jour Visite des vallées Figueiras + Paul à nouveau pour le plaisir et ferry à 13h00. Visite de la maison rose à Mindelo (musée Cesaria Evoria et musée d’art africain super), marché et vol pour Praia en soirée, Boutique Hotel Pescador (très bien).

7ème jour Visites des marchés de Praia puis de Citade Velha tranquillement, visite très chouette et retour dans l’après-midi. Repos à la piscine et repas à 5tal da Musica, sympa.

8ème jour Vol pour Boa Vista, arrivée 11h00 à Guesthouse Orquidea, très bien placée, proche de la ville et de la plage. Plage magnifique à 2 minutes, eau turquoise chaude, sable fin, la carte postale… Plage et repas au Blue Marlin, poisson délicieux

9ème jour Il pleut des cordes (3 ans que cela n’était pas arrivé !), vers midi accalmie et direction la plage, tranquille

10ème Tour de l’île avec Ndiouga, hyper sympa. C’est très beau et les plages sont superbes.

11ème jour, vol pour Genève

La diversité des îles nous a beaucoup surpris. Chaque île est totalement différente, c’est pourquoi, nous envisageons sérieusement d’y retourner 😛. Je reconnais que le rythme est rapide mais nous avons l’habitude de faire beaucoup donc cela nous a convenu, mais je ne le conseillerais pas à tout le monde et bien entendu concernant Santiago, nous ne pouvons pas dire que nous avons visité l’île car nous nous sommes contenté de quelques aperçus de la ville de Praia et de Citade Velha.

En cas de questions, n'hésitez pas je serais ravie d'y répondre.