Cape Verde may be the ideal place for Spring if you’re seeking a sunny alternative to the Canary Islands amid Storm Nelson.
The Cape Verde islands, also known as Cabo Verde, is a group of islands and island country of West Africa in the central Atlantic Ocean.
There are 10 islands; São Vicente, São Nicolau, Santo Antão, Santa Luzia, Maio, Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava.
Boa Vista and Sal are perhaps the two you’ll most commonly see on TikTok or Instagram, as tourists take pictures and videos of the stunning beaches.
Talking about social media users, those who’ve visited Cape Verde, such as @raretares claim it’s ‘literal paradise’, while @kaynamerica on TikTok described it as ‘heavenly’.
With warm temperatures, an intriguing history, and plenty of beaches to visit, Cape Verde will make for an amazing trip.
Here’s what you need to know about the group of islands…
How to reach Cape Verde
Cape Verde is located 2,875 miles away from the UK in the Atlantic Ocean and non-stop flights take around six hours to get there.
Right now TUI is the only airline that offers non-stop flights to Cape Verde, with flights to and from London Gatwick, Manchester, and Birmingham.
At the time of writing, TUI is offering a three-night all-inclusive holiday to Boa Vista in April, for £563 per person. This includes non-stop flights from Birmingham Airport to Boa Vista. You’ll stay at Hotel Riu Touareg which has a 4/5 rating on Tripadvisor.
However, flights on Skyscanner start from £320 for return flights from London to Praia in April.
Flights to Tenerife tend to be a lot cheaper, which explains why so many Brits travel there instead. It is the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands and attracts upwards of five million tourists annually, per Statista.
Flights in April to Tenerife can be found on Skyscanner from around £54 via Ryanair, but judging by the latest weather update, you might choose somewhere else for your next holiday…
The optimal time to visit Cape Verde
With its dry, tropical climate with low rainfall and sunshine year round, there isn’t really a bad time to visit Cape Verde.
But if you did want something a little more specific, then according to the pros over at TUI, the best time to visit Cape Verde is ‘between November and June’, as this is during the dry season when the weather is warm and sunny.
The Met Office warns anyone who isn’t keen on rain to avoid going between August and October, as the rainfall during these months can be unpredictable.
What is the climate like?
As we’ve already heard, Cape Verde is wonderfully sunny, but what is it like temperature-wise?
In January, the temperatures usually go up to around 25°c, and then they gradually become warmer in February and March, reaching as high as 25.8°c in April.
The weather keeps getting warmer until September, when the average daily high reaches 30°c.
After that, it starts to cool down again, dropping to an average daily high of 26.4°c by December, according to the Met Office.
British people going to the Canary Islands over this Easter weekend were given a weather warning.
There will be snow, rain, and lightning storms are expected to hit the area.
Storm Nelson is expected to keep passing over the Canary Islands during the Bank Holiday, which has been hit with heavy rain and flooding in recent weeks.
So, for British people looking for a hot holiday in the next few weeks, Cape Verde could be a fantastic option.
Activities to do in Cape Verde
Naturally, there are plenty of amazing beaches to see and relax on across Cape Verde, including Santa Maria, Sal, and Santa Monica beach, Boa Vista, which are considered among the best.
However, when it comes to swimming, make sure to follow local advice as sea conditions can become dangerous depending on the weather.
The beaches are also a great place to go if you're a fan of wildlife, as from July to October, various species of turtle come to Cape Verde to nest and lay their eggs.
Respectful guides can take you to common nesting sites to show you the amazing creatures.
The beaches are also the place to go for a bucket list must — horseback riding by the sea. Imagine yourself riding along golden sands, with the turquoise water spraying your face. Sounds dreamy, doesn't it?!
Other activities to do include diving, surfing, fishing, and boat trips, as well as a visit to Cape Verde’s own version of the Dead Sea.
Pedra de Lume is a surreal-looking salt crater of an old extinct volcano on the island of Sal, and tourists can visit and float in the salt water there.
But if the water isn’t for you and you’d prefer to do something a little more historic and go exploring, you should go to Santiago. Here you’ll find the old capital of Cape Verde, Cidade Velha, with cobbled streets, traditional stone houses, and a convent.
Throughout the year, there are also a number of big festivals and celebrations in Cape Verde, including the São Vicente Carnival, which is held on Shrove Tuesday.
Where to stay
Which island you stay on will depend on the type of holiday you’re after, so it’s worth doing your research before you book, and certain islands might be more expensive than others as they are more popular with tourists.
On booking.com, hotel prices start from £68 a night for two adults in Santiago this April, the most popular Cape Verde destination on the website.
Now is definitely the time to go!
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