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Travel and transport

Flying from overseas

Nearly all overseas visitors to Cape Verde will travel by air, and the process of flying to and from the islands is steadily becoming easier and cheaper. Cape Verde’s largest international airport opened in Praia on the island of Santiago in 2005, and this is further opening up the islands to tourists and investors alike.

Increased services

Airlines have been quick to respond to the increased demand for travel to the country. The airport in Praia started direct flights to the UK in 2006, and the first direct UK flights from another of the islands’ airports, on the island of Boa Vista, started in 2007. The effect on the islands is likely to be considerable, as improved transport links generate greater tourism as well as interest from overseas property investors. The flight time from the UK is around five and a half hours, and as both are on a similar longitude, travellers will experience little jet-lag. The island of Sal receives most flights, but the level of traffic through Praia on Santiago is increasing.

Some ferry services to the islands do operate, but travel to the islands by sea is not the most comfortable, convenient or even cheap option.

Travelling within the islands

The road network on the islands of Cape Verde is extensive, although much of the paved network is in need of repair, and asphalt roads are rare - a programme is in place to asphalt many of the existing roads. In general, the buses and taxes on the islands are dependable and cheap. There is an Aluguer service, a shared bus service mainly comprising open-back pickup trucks and minivans carrying around 15 people. However, using these can be risky as vehicles are frequently overloaded, drivers often speed, and some drink and drive. Between islands, there are frequent ferry services and flights. Depending on which islands you wish to travel between, flights can be shorter but can also be much more expensive.

Related items

Documents and Reports

	Cape Verde property investment report (325Kb)
Documents and Reports

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