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The Cape Verde
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Still not a well known destination, Cape Verde is a small country formed by ten islands ( with one unpopulated) located 500km (350 miles) away from the coast of Senegal (West Africa). The separation from the continent helped to birth a culture and a way of living characterized by many origins. For example, the official language is the one of the original colonist Portugal, but on a daily basis we speak the Capeverdean Creole.
These last few years, before the broadcasting of the islands paradise beaches, it was the Capeverdean music that was its best ambassador to get this country to be known throughout the world. The very famous Barefoot Diva Cesaria Evora opened a way for many artists to seduce European and American publics: Tcheka, Lura, Teofilo Chantre, Mariana Ramos, Mayra Andrade, Cordas do Sol, Gabriela Mendes, etc.
And this country deserves to be well known: it is a peaceful, democratic and politically stable destination, that has known to give itself the conditions for a strong economical development since their independence obtained in 1975: Cape Verde will soon emerge and exit the less developed countries category and enter the one of countries of mild development. A true "success story" helped by the emigrant, numerically more important than the population that stayed on the Islands.
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Entry requirements
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A Visa is necessary to come and stay in Cape Verde. You can usually obtain it within 48h (or in a week if you get it mailed to you) by the Cape Verde consul in your country. To obtain it, you need to have a valid passport (within 180 days after the date of issue) and two recent passport-size photos. Costs vary depending on the options you choose: alone ((around $50, 38, £35) or with children, one entry or multiple entry, trip length.
Visitors from countries where there is no embassy or consulate will obtain visas at the capeverdean international airports, on Praia and Sal (Boa Vista and São Vicente will get international airports in 2007/2008).
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Consulates & embassies:
UNITED KINGDOM
Cape Verde Honorary Consul
Mr Joao Roberto
18-20 Stanley Street
Liverpool L1 6AF
Tel: 0151 236 0206
Fax: 0151 255 1314
E-mail: Joao.Roberto@capeverdeconsul.com
NETHERLANDS
Cape Verde Consulate
Mathenesserlaan 32b
Rotterdam, 3021 HX
Tel: 1 04 77 89 77
Fax: 1 04 77 45 53
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GERMANY
Botschaft der Republik Kap Verde
Stavanger Str. 16
10439 Berlin
Tel: (030) 20 45 09 55
(from 09:00 to 17:00)
Fax: (030) 20 45 09 66
E-mail: info@embassy-capeverde.de
GERMANY
Honorarkonsul im Saarland
Herr Rolf-Dieter Müller
Saargemünder Straße 136
66119 Saarbrücken
Tel: 0681-39 80 98
Fax: 0681-39 50 60
E-mail: info@honorarkonsul-kapverde.de
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USA
Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde
3415 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
Washington D.C. 20007
Tel: (202) 965-6820
USA
Consulate General of Cape Verde
Boston
Tel: (617) 353-0014
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Vaccines and diseases
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Vaccines are not mandatory when entering Cape Verde, except if you are coming from the African continent (Yellow Fever).
There are very few mosquitoes in the archipelago so there is no risk of Paludism. Only a few cases are noted every year in a very specific area of the island of Santiago.
It is strongly recommended not to drink tap water: bottled water can be found in any store.
Hygienic conditions are really good on the Islands, so you can enjoy delicious meal without having any worries.
It is recommended that you bring Sun Block with a high UV protection index as it is difficult to find on the islands.
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Weather and temperatures
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Cape Verdes weather is dictated by a dry Tropical climate, very dry: even during the so-called rain season, it barely rains (a little more since 2009). The dry season is characterized by stronger wind which is a joy for windsurfers and kite-surfers (the ones with good skill).
There are no hurricanes in Cape Verde. No tornadoes. No floods. No frog rain either.
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Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Mini
Maxi
Mer |
20°C
25°C
23°C |
19°C
25°C
°22C |
20°C
26°C
21°C |
21°C
26°C
22°C |
21°C
27°C
23°C |
22°C
28°C
25°C |
24°C
28°C
25°C |
24°C
29°C
26°C |
25°C
29°C
27°C |
24°C
29°C
27°C |
23°C
28°C
26°C |
22°C
26°C
24°C |
How to read this map: an easy way is to know that 20-30°Celsius = 70-90° Fareinheit.
The hotel GOA does not have water shortages, but we encourage our guests to be conscious of this precious gift.
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Time difference
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Cape Verde: GMT -1.
In the winter: so one hour less than in London, four hours more than New York City (2pm in London, 1pm in GOA and 9am in NYC).
In the summer: so two hour less than in London, three hours more than in New York City (2pm in London, Noon at GOA and 9am in NYC)
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Currency
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The official currency is the Capeverdean Escudo, represented by the symbol "$".
Euro is usually accepted in stores and banks. Currency rate has been fixed at: 1 euro = 110 escudos (110,265 exactly).
It's less easy to use the pays in US dollars, the currency rate is not very well know in stores and restaurants. Some of them may accept it for 1 dollar = 75 escudos.
Some stores use a less advantageous currency rate to change euros and dollars, so it is better to exchange currency at a bank beforehand (who takes a commission of 250-350 escudos, usually independently of the amount exchanged).
Credit Cards (only VISA) can only be used in banks and large resorts. They are useful mainly to withdraw cash at ATMs. Banks are also the only ones to accept Travelers Checks.
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Les langues
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The official language is Portuguese, but locals mainly speak Capeverdean Crioulo, with different versions depending of the island.
However, French and English are spoken in all the islands since taught in schools.
In any case, if you dont understand what is said to you, one universal language is: smiling.
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What to bring with you
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 Sun Block
Bathing suits
Camera (with a lot of memory available!!!)
Sunglasses
Cap/hat/scarf/bandana
Flips-flops
Hiking shoes (already broken-in)
Small Pharmacy with personal essentials
For smokers: only Marlboro RED and LIGHT are available on the archipelago
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Airlines
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From Europe look for flights through TACV (Cape Verdean Airlines) or TAP (Portuguese Airlines).
From the USA, your best itinerary is directly from Boston with TACV. Or longer but possible through Europe.
TACV US Reservations: 866-359-8228.
For now, there are four International Airports on the Archipelago (Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista and São Vicente islands).
Since there is no direct flight from UK to São Vicente, you'll have take a shuttle flight to go to São Vicente Island.
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