Where to exchange money in Mindelo and Porto Novo?

Hi, Which bank is the best in Mindelo and Porto Novo for exchanging euros into local currency? Should I exchange cash or use my bank card? Is it accepted in restaurants? Thanks

Hi, Which bank is the best in Mindelo and Porto Novo for exchanging euros into local currency? Exchange cash or use a bank card? Is it accepted in restaurants? Thanks

Exchange the minimum at the airport and the rest at Caixa Economica—they generally charge the lowest commission. That’s where I first exchanged money in Tarrafal when I arrived in Cape Verde, and later in Mindelo. Personally, I prefer exchanging cash for various reasons and using my card to pay when possible. Many restaurants and hotels don’t accept cards, but I don’t remember where cards are most widely accepted.

Thanks so much! We’re leaving for 15 days, including 8 in Santo Antão. We’ll be doing the descent from Corda to Coculi, and from Cova toward Cha de Joan Vas. But we’ll definitely take twice as long. I hope there aren’t too many uphill hikes in these two treks.

We’ll be hiking down from Corda to Coculi, and from Cova toward Cha de Joan Vas.

The first one, if I remember right (I did it in the opposite direction), descends all the way on a paved zigzag path with about 800–900 m of elevation change over roughly 5 or 6 km. Watch your knees! Personally, I preferred going up! Same for the second one (Paul Valley)—about the same distance and elevation change, with what I think is a slight 200 m climb at some point. We did it as a loop: hike up to Pico da Cruz, then a gentle descent toward the Cova crater, followed by a steeper descent from Cova crater to Paul Valley. If you don’t have joint issues, it’s easy since it’s mostly downhill. Again, I preferred going up. The path is a wide paved zigzag trail, sometimes slippery if it rains.

Thanks so much, hoping it won’t rain in mid-November!