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Travel Advisory for Republic of Cabo Verde

This page provides a comprehensive comparison of official government travel advisories for Republic of Cabo Verde from multiple trusted international sources including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, France, Spain, Ireland, and Japan. Each government assesses travel risks independently based on their own intelligence, diplomatic relationships, and risk assessment criteria. By comparing these different perspectives, travelers can make more informed decisions about their safety and security when visiting Republic of Cabo Verde.

The information below is aggregated from official government sources and analyzed to provide you with a unified view of the current travel situation. Last updated: 2026-08-26

AdvisoryAtlas.com Risk Level

Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Range: Level 1 to Level 2

AdvisoryAtlas.com Safety Index

75
Safety Index Score

Overview

Cabo Verde is an archipelago nation known for its unique blend of African and Portuguese cultures, generally safe for travelers who exercise normal precautions. Visitors should remain vigilant against petty crime in major cities and be prepared for limited medical infrastructure in remote areas.

Detailed Advisory Summary

Cabo Verde, a cluster of 10 volcanic islands, offers a distinctive travel experience characterized by rugged landscapes and vibrant local traditions. While the country is generally stable, the safety landscape varies significantly by island and urban environment. Travelers should be aware that while violent crime is not the norm, petty crime such as pickpocketing and bag snatching is prevalent in busy tourist hubs, marketplaces, and festivals. The capital, Praia, and the islands of Sal and São Vicente require a higher level of situational awareness, especially after dark.

From a logistical perspective, the islands are connected by air and sea, though schedules can be frequently disrupted by weather conditions, particularly the 'Harmattan' winds that occasionally impact visibility. Infrastructure, including healthcare and emergency services, is highly concentrated in Praia and Mindelo; outside these hubs, medical capabilities are significantly more limited. Consequently, comprehensive travel insurance that covers medical evacuation is not just recommended, but essential for any visitor planning to explore beyond the main cities or engage in adventure activities like hiking or water sports.

Environmental awareness is also a key component of a safe trip. The archipelago is situated in an active seismic zone, and the island of Fogo is home to an active volcano. Seasonal rains, while brief, can lead to sudden flooding and road hazards. By respecting local customs, maintaining a low profile regarding wealth, and staying informed through reliable local sources, travelers can effectively navigate the country's unique challenges.

Risk Level Summary by Government Source

Source Risk Level Updated Official Link
Global Affairs Canada Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-29 View Source →
U.S. Department of State Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-02 View Source →
Ministère des Affaires Étrangères Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-07 View Source →
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-28 View Source →
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-05-18 View Source →
Department of Foreign Affairs (Ireland) Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-04-09 View Source →
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-21 View Source →
Auswärtiges Amt Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-07-09 View Source →
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Unknown 2026-08-05 View Source →
Département fédéral des affaires étrangères (DFAE) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-06-16 View Source →
Regjeringen (Norway) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-06-03 View Source →
Nederland Wereldwijd (Netherlands) Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-08-25 View Source →
Viaggiare Sicuri (Italy) Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution 2026-08-17 View Source →
BMEIA (Austria) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-03-02 View Source →
0404 (Korea) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-07-30 View Source →
Ministry for Foreign Affairs (Finland) Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions 2026-08-02 View Source →

Safety and Security Analysis

Vaccination Information

Required Vaccines

  • Yellow fever (if arriving from an endemic country)

Recommended for Most Travelers

  • Routine vaccines (MMR, Diphtheria, Tetanus, Polio, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B)

Recommended for Some Travelers

  • Typhoid, Rabies, Influenza
Consult a travel health clinic at least eight weeks before your departure to ensure all vaccinations are current.

Visa Information

Visa Types

Type Requirement Stay Limit Cost Conditions Details
Tourist Visa-free 30 days 3400 CVE (Airport Security Tax) Must complete online pre-registration via EASE platform 5 days before arrival.
  • Pre-registration: Required
  • Airport Security Tax: 3400 CVE

Entry & Legal Compliance

  • Passport Validity Needed: 6 months
  • Blank Pages Required: 1
  • Dual Citizenship Policy: Recognized
  • Proof Of Onward Travel: Recommended to have
  • Currency Limit Declaration: 1,000,000 CVE
  • Drone Usage Law: Check with local aviation authorities

Emergency Contacts

  • Police: 132
  • Medical Assistance: 130
  • Firefighters: 131

Common Scams & Tourist Traps

  • Romance scams often originate online involving individuals claiming to be U.S. citizens or military personnel.
  • Groups of street children may attempt to distract tourists to facilitate pickpocketing.

Cultural Etiquette in Republic of Cabo Verde

Do

  • Dress modestly when visiting religious sites or rural areas.
  • Always greet people politely in shops and restaurants.

Don't

  • Do not take photos of government buildings or military installations.
  • Avoid public displays of wealth to minimize unwanted attention.

Advisory Comparison by Government Source

Global Affairs Canada

Updated: 2026-07-29
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
This advisory emphasizes a high degree of caution due to crime levels across the islands. It provides specific warnings about hillside staircases in Praia and the lack of reliable sea rescue services.

U.S. Department of State

Updated: 2026-07-02
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The U.S. advisory maintains a Level 1 status, focusing on normal precautions. It provides extensive details on scams and the lack of hyperbaric facilities for scuba divers.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
France highlights the limited consular capacity on the islands and warns specifically about violent robberies aboard sailboats. It stresses the importance of adequate travel insurance for medical repatriation.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
The UK advisory warns against buying property without independent legal advice. It also notes that quad biking is considered an extreme sport and often excluded from standard insurance.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Spanish advisory recommends traveling with caution and highlights a significant increase in citizen insecurity across Cabo Verde due to the economic crisis, with a particular uptick in crime in Santiago and Praia during holiday seasons. It uniquely identifies specific high-risk neighborhoods in Praia, such as Tira Chapéu, Brasil, and Várzea, and warns against assaults near beaches and access staircases. The advisory also points out an increase in assaults on tourists and opportunistic thefts on beaches in the more touristy islands of Boa Vista and Sal.

This source provides detailed information on entry requirements for maritime arrivals, specifying the need to report to Maritime Police and Border Police at designated ports like Praia, Mindelo, and Palmeira. It also mentions a unique requirement to communicate inter-island stops to authorities to obtain a salvoconducto (safe-conduct) or retrieve documentation if departing from a different port. The advisory notes a dengue outbreak from November 2023 that is still active and the government's contingency situation declaration in July 2025.

Uniquely, it provides an extensive list of local medical centers across various islands, including hospitals and health delegations, along with their contact numbers. It also details the fixed parity of the Cabo Verdean escudo with the euro and advises changing money at banks for better rates, while noting the high commission fees at ATMs. The advisory also provides contact information for the Embassy of Cabo Verde and honorary consulates in Spain, and the Spanish Embassy and vice-consulates in Cabo Verde.
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Ireland issues a specific health alert for Sal Island due to moderate risks of Shigella and Salmonella. It also classifies the country as high-risk for Hepatitis C.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports that robbery cases involving Japanese nationals have occurred in Cabo Verde. It advises extreme caution, particularly regarding group clashes among youth gangs in urban areas like Praia and Mindelo, urging citizens to leave such scenes immediately.

The advisory notes that while there is no active threat of international terrorism or history of anti-government group operations, travelers must remain vigilant. It also emphasizes the necessity of submitting a residence report (Zairyutodoke) for stays over three months to facilitate emergency contact via the embassy in Senegal.

Auswärtiges Amt

Updated: 2026-07-09
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
New Zealand does not issue a specific travel advisory level for Cabo Verde but emphasizes the extremely limited consular assistance available due to the lack of any local diplomatic presence. It advises citizens to maintain comprehensive insurance covering air medical evacuation.

The health section uniquely highlights general African regional risks, warning travelers about African tick bite fever alongside malaria and Zika. It also reminds travelers that rabies is fatal without post-exposure treatment, which must be sought within 24 hours of any animal bite or scratch.
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Switzerland considers travel to Cabo Verde generally safe but warns that occasional strikes can cause significant disruptions and delays to tourist travel. It also highlights that water shortages can occur, which may impact travelers' daily routines.

The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs notes that prison conditions are precarious, characterized by a severe lack of hygiene. It warns that even minor infractions of the strict narcotics laws are severely punished, often leading to immediate detention in these poor facilities.

Regjeringen (Norway)

Updated: 2026-06-03
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
The Netherlands assigns a yellow color code (safety risks) to Cabo Verde, warning of violent robberies and assaults in popular tourist cities like Mindelo and Praia, as well as the islands of Boavista and Sal. It highlights the risk of sudden volcanic eruptions on Fogo and Brava.

The Dutch advisory notes that laws and customs regarding LGBTQ+ individuals are comparable to those in the Netherlands, offering a progressive perspective on social tolerance. It also advises travelers to make a secure digital copy of their passport to share with family before departure.

Viaggiare Sicuri (Italy)

Updated: 2026-08-17
Level 2 - Exercise Increased Caution
Italy notes that Italian driving licenses are valid for six months and provides specific contact details for consular correspondents on Sal, Boa Vista, and Santiago.

BMEIA (Austria)

Updated: 2026-03-02
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Austria evaluates Cabo Verde as having a good safety standard (Sicherheitsstufe 1) but advises standard precautions. It uniquely notes that Austrian electronic identity documents (ID Austria) are not accepted by local authorities, meaning physical passports must be carried at all times.

The advisory details strict regulations for unaccompanied minors under 16, requiring a notarized parental consent form in English or Portuguese, accompanied by a copy of the child's birth certificate and the parent's ID, to prevent border entry denial.

0404 (Korea)

Updated: 2026-07-30
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
Level 1 - Exercise Normal Precautions
The Finnish advisory recommends Normal Caution for Cape Verde, noting that pickpocketing and robberies are common, especially in major cities like Praia and Mindelo, and on tourist islands such as Boa Vista and Sal. It uniquely points out that street children and youth gangs often commit thefts and robberies, and that violent crime, often drug-related, has been increasing.

This source provides a unique list of EU embassies in Cabo Verde that can offer consular assistance to Finnish citizens, including the Embassies of Spain, Portugal, France, and Luxembourg, along with their contact details. It also describes the local traffic culture as undisciplined by Finnish standards, with potentially high speeds and drunk driving, advising special caution when driving at night due to poor lighting and undeveloped road networks.

Health advice highlights that Cape Verde's healthcare services are inadequate and recommends good hand hygiene, drinking only bottled water without ice, and avoiding uncooked foods to prevent diarrheal diseases. It also states that penalties for drug possession, use, or trafficking are severe, as are sentences for traffic offenses related to driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Important: This is an aggregated summary from multiple government sources. Always consult official government travel advisory websites before making travel decisions.

About Travel Advisories for Republic of Cabo Verde

This comprehensive travel advisory page for Republic of Cabo Verde aggregates official government warnings and recommendations from eight major international sources. Each country's foreign affairs department maintains its own travel advisory system based on unique assessment criteria, intelligence gathering, and diplomatic considerations.

The United States Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, UK Foreign Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Australia's Smartraveller, France's Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Spain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs, and Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs each provide independent assessments of travel risks to Republic of Cabo Verde.

By comparing these multiple perspectives, travelers can gain a more complete understanding of the current situation in Republic of Cabo Verde and make better-informed decisions about their travel plans. Remember to always check the official government websites directly before finalizing any travel arrangements.

Last updated: 2026-08-26