I came to Cape Verde for the first time a year ago and I wrote about it here. When I left, I was almost certain that I would come back. And when I did, a year later, I just picked up from where I left, like not even a day had passed. That’s the charm of this place, everything is familiar and makes you feel at home. The motto is “no stress” and I don’t know any other place where this would be more appropriate.
Most shops and other businesses have a 2 hour siesta break at lunch. So if you go out between 1 and 3 in the afternoon, you will find a sleepy island, but I say it’s well worth it, if this is the reason why people are kindly smiling during the rest of the day.
Praia Laginha Mindelo
I came back to this view and walked along the shore countless times, refreshed by the slightly cold sea, as my body was getting the much appreciated sun.
When I would post pictures like this on my social media channels, I would often get questions like “Where is this place?”, “How did you find it?”. And I would always be happy to clarify.
One day, I posted this poll on my Instagram account story, asking people where they think I was, just based on this picture:
As you can see, most of them thought I was in the Caribbean and it’s an honest mistake. What I did next was clarify the location.
Cape Verde on the World Map
I am in the Atlantic Ocean, at the crossroads between Europe, Africa and America. Cape Verde is an archipelago of 10 islands. People live on 9 of them. I am in Sao Vicente island and this is what has made me feel good during my stay here:
1. The lovely weather. Sun year round. For real!
And I say “For real” because I have lived in places that brag about having sun year round, but they don’t really do ( Looking at you Lisbon and Malta 🙂 )
This, my friends, is the real deal. No cold, no rainy season, when you come here, the sun is guaranteed. In all my time here, I have not had a single day without sun.
And none of that scorching hotness that kills the whole mood. Just when you think it might get too hot, here comes the breeze. Which leads me to my next point.
2. No mosquitoes.
The breeze takes care of them too. No mosquito bites in here.
Update: I have been told recently that someone did see some mosquitoes here, since September is the only month when rain might appear, along with mosquitoes. So it’s not 100% mosquito free, but it’s really the next best thing
3. The delicious food.
How could I not mention it?
Like this cous-cous for breakfast
Cous-cous in Cape Verde
It comes hot and you can add butter, honey and/or local cheese to taste. Simple yet delicious, for the price of 150 CVE or about 1,5 Euro.
Another breakfast meal is the cachupa
Cachupa with a view of Mindelo marina
This is a slow-cooked stew with corn, beans, meat and some more of the local cheese, quejo de terra. Topped with egg and a side of sausage.
If a full portion is too much, you can have a half, which is what I had in this picture for the price of 180 CVE or 1,8 Euro.
Another breakfast favourite is fresh papaya:
It grows in abundance on the neighbouring island of Santo Antao and the women come here and sell it on the street or in the market for about 200 CVE or 2 Euro a kilo. It’s the best way to start the day.
Another local food that you can try are pastels. While on the beach, you will see women selling homemade pastries similar to samosas, but with fish in them. They are only 5 CVE or 5 cents each.
And since we were speaking about the local cheese, quejo de terra, it pairs well with the homemade papaya jelly that you can find in the shops here. I AM ready for this jelly!
4. It’s safe
Cape Verde has a democratic regime modelled after Portugal and the main religion is Catholicism. With the main language being Portuguese, while the locals speak creole (kriol), it’s easy to see how Europe and Africa mix well here.
Of course, you need to take the basic precautions as in any place, but I never felt unsafe here. No cab driver trying to charge me more, no pushy salesmen on the street. When the ladies with papaya advertise their fruits, I am happy to get some.
5. Morabeza, which means hospitality in creole, the local language.
Whether at the hotel, restaurants or shops, I almost never met a person that was not kind to me. I smile, they smile, just like that.
I stayed at Kira’s hotel and it was a delight. From the moment I arrived, I was kindly welcomed into this beautiful boutique hotel as if I was part of the family.
Welcome letter Kira’s hotel
The hotel has 10 rooms, each room being named after one of the islands of this archipelago. I stayed in room Santo Antao, named after the green island next to Sao Vicente. Therefore, the room is tastefully decorated in vibrant colours such as bright green and yellow.
Here is a sneak peek into what I got to experience at this hotel :
You might recognise the background music sang by Cape Verde’s national treasure, Cesaria Evora. She was actually from this island. Not far from this hotel you can see her memorial house. This song is about Sao Vicente, can you guess what she is trying to say?
This place looks amazing! I have never been but I am always looking for new places to travel. Thank you!
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Wow, this is a must visit place for me. I love beaches. No mosquito, someone please already take me there. I would love to visit there someday.
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Sounds and looks like I need to visit this place! Might have to keep this in mind for a little winter getaway when I am over the cold. 🙂
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All great reasons to visit a place!
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Beautiful! This looks like an amazing place to visit!
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If I travel, I want to go somewhere like Cape Verde. It’s a beautiful place with great people and good food.
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What a beautiful place. I would love to go there one day!
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Wow- Cape Verde looks like a beautiful place to visit. I hope you enjoyed yourself- the food looks amazing!
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I saw the no mosquitoes and I was sold! This looks like a lovely trip! Thanks for sharing!
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So beautiful! Thanks for the share!
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What a beautiful place! it is a paradise. Putting on my bucket list.
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The older I get, the more I think weather is more important to me. I’m someone who thrives in the summer so I love good weather. This looks beautiful.
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Exactly, me too! It’s not about getting old, it’s about getting wise
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Wow. This is amazing. Great pictures and omg the food looks so delicious. I need to visit this place. 😀 Nice video too 🙂
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That view of the marina is gorgeous. I love all 10 of these reasons to love Cape Verde. Hope to visit there one day.
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No mosquitoes? That is so amazing. HA! Look at all the food and scenery, so beautiful! Definitely a must visit.
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This looks like it would be an amazing place to visit. Everything about it looks exceptional!
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Cape Verde has always been on my list of places to see. It definitely looks like it has so much more than just the beautiful beaches.
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This trip looks like it would be so epic. I really love to visit anywhere that gives off the vibe of relaxation.
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Any place with water and good food is my place to go! Love this place and now it is on my to go list!
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I’ve heard so much about Cape Verde but not been there myself, hope I do get a chance to visit this beautiful place soon. So glad to hear its safe x
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Honestly i had not heard about Cape Verde before but sounds like an amazing place. Would love to visit sometime. Lovely post with all possible details.
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Cabo Verde looks so pretty! I’ve not yet been , but really want to see it for myself after reading this post. And there’s no mosquitoes! So cool.
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We agree with you, Capo Verde is not only beaches but they are the main attraction. The weather is good as well as the food so we think that there aren’t so many doubts… It’s a trip everyone should do!
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I have to admit, I’ve never heard of this place till now, but am 100% sold. You had me at no mosquitos, but as I read, I discovered more and more reasons to visit. Plus, that papaya looks delicious!
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This looks like an absolutely beautiful place. I love how you use stories to showcase the location more. I really want to visit, gonna bookmark this for when I get the chance.
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I had not heard of Cape Verde before reading this and now it’s on my list! It seems like a perfect place for relaxation and sun and sand. No mosquitos! I’m sold.
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You’ve sold me on ‘No Mosquitoes’! Ive been on a few vacations where those pesky bugs have ruined it for me
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I’ve always wanted to visit Cape Verde. It’s a real paradise qwith so many things to do. And I find it funny how most of the people on IG think it’s the Carribean 😀
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It must be a special place that you went back to and I can see why. Very pretty
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I like when you said there is no mosquitoes! Those little monster scares me most 😀
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Those pictures looks beautiful. I love the video you attached. I love the idea of having papaya in the morning.
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Ssswwweeeettttttttttt….. hope to visit Cape Verde some day!
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