Cape Verde is known for its unique blend of African and Portuguese culture, as well as its beautiful beaches, lively music scene, and colorful colonial architecture:
- Beaches: Cape Verde is home to some of the world’s most stunning beaches, with crystal-clear waters and soft white sand. Popular beaches include Santa Maria on Sal Island, Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista Island, and Praia de Santa Monica on Maio Island.
- Kitesurfing and windsurfing: With consistent trade winds and warm waters, Cape Verde is a popular destination for kitesurfing and windsurfing enthusiasts. The island of Sal is particularly well-known for its excellent conditions for these sports.
- Volcanic landscapes: Cape Verde is made up of ten volcanic islands, each with its own unique landscape and terrain. Visitors can explore volcanic craters, rugged coastlines, and lush green valleys.
- Cuisine: Cape Verdean cuisine is a fusion of African and Portuguese flavors, with dishes featuring seafood, beans, rice, and spices such as paprika and cumin. Check out our article on locally sourced foods and drinks here.
- Music: Cape Verde has a rich musical tradition that blends African and Portuguese influences, including genres such as morna, coladeira, and funana. Famous musicians from Cape Verde include Cesaria Evora, Lura, and Mayra Andrade.
- “Morabeza”: “Morabeza” is a word commonly used in Cape Verde, and it is often considered to be one of the defining characteristics of Cape Verdean culture. The term is derived from the Portuguese word “Morabeza,” which means “hospitality” or “kindness.”
Morabeza
In Cape Verde, the concept of “Morabeza” goes beyond simply being hospitable or kind. It is an important cultural value and attitude toward others. It is often used to describe the unique spirit of Cape Verde, and it is considered to be a defining feature of the country’s identity. Visitors of the island often perceive this spirit as “no stress” and feeling the joy of being in a relaxed state:
There is probably no other place in the world, that is so relaxing and suitable to fully recharge your batteries from a stressful Life.”
The Morabeza experience is what travelers love about Cape Verde.
Beaches and Marine Life
Cape Verde is known for its stunning beaches, with crystal-clear waters and soft white sand. The beaches of Cape Verde are diverse, with each island offering its own unique landscapes and marine life. Here are some of the most popular beaches in Cape Verde and what you can expect to see in terms of marine life:
- Santa Maria Beach (Sal Island): Santa Maria Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Cape Verde, known for its long stretches of white sand and turquoise waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, and diving, and may spot marine life such as sea turtles, colorful fish, and even dolphins. On all beaches around Santa Maria you will encounter some kind and lovely street dogs. They always appreciate the leftovers from your lunch or dinner! Locals are often kind towards the dogs, and sometimes can walk around in restaurants. We have to love the people for this kindness!
- Praia de Chaves (Boa Vista Island): Praia de Chaves is a wide, sandy beach that stretches for miles along Boa Vista Island’s west coast. The beach is known for its dunes and its clear waters, where visitors can spot marine life such as octopuses, stingrays, and tropical fish.
- Praia de Santa Monica (Maio Island): Praia de Santa Monica is a secluded beach on Maio Island’s south coast, known for its untouched beauty and crystal-clear waters. Visitors can enjoy swimming and sunbathing, and may spot marine life such as sea turtles, dolphins, and schools of fish.
- Praia da Laginha (São Vicente Island): Praia da Laginha is a popular beach on São Vicente Island for the locals, known for its calm waters and lively atmosphere of a small city beach. The beach is, however, artificially modified and extended – which stands in sharp contrast to the natural beaches that Cabo Verde is known for! Thus travelers seeking beautiful, natural beaches will find São Vicente Island not to be ideal for their trip! This island will be optimal for you, if you are interested in culture, music, and an sight-seeing an authentic, pretty Africa town.
In terms of marine life, Cape Verde is home to a diverse array of species, including sea turtles, dolphins, whales, sharks, and a variety of colorful fish and corals. Visitors to Cape Verde can enjoy a range of water activities, including diving, snorkeling, and fishing, and may have the opportunity to spot some of these fascinating creatures up close. However, it is important to practice responsible and sustainable tourism practices to protect the marine ecosystem and its inhabitants.
Water Sports
Cape Verde is a popular destination for water sports enthusiasts, thanks to its warm waters and consistent trade winds. Here are some of the most popular water sports in Cape Verde:
- Windsurfing: With its steady trade winds and calm waters, Cape Verde is a great destination for windsurfers of all levels. The island of Sal is particularly well-known for its excellent conditions for windsurfing.
- Kitesurfing: Similar to windsurfing, kitesurfing is another popular water sport in Cape Verde, with the island of Sal being a top destination for kitesurfers. Visitors can enjoy learning the basics or honing their skills with experienced instructors and state-of-the-art equipment.
- Surfing: Cape Verde is home to some excellent surf spots, with waves that are suitable for all levels of surfers. Popular surf spots include Ponta Preta on Sal Island, Praia de Santa Monica on Boa Vista Island, and Ribeira Grande on Santo Antão Island.
- Scuba diving: With its clear waters and diverse marine life, Cape Verde is a great destination for scuba diving enthusiasts. Visitors can explore coral reefs, underwater caves, and shipwrecks, and may spot marine life such as sea turtles, stingrays, and tropical fish.
- Fishing: Cape Verde is known for its excellent fishing, with opportunities to catch a variety of species such as tuna, marlin, and swordfish. Visitors can book fishing charters and enjoy a day out on the water with experienced guides and modern equipment.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced water sports enthusiast, Cape Verde offers a range of activities to suit all interests and skill levels.
Volcanic Landscape
Cape Verde is an archipelago located off the coast of West Africa that is known for its volcanic nature and still includes active volcanoes. Many of the landscapes are surprisingly dark, with black coastal rocks.
The volcanic activity has created some stunning landscapes across the islands, including towering peaks, rugged coastlines, and dramatic craters. Some of the most notable volcanic features in Cape Verde include:
- Fogo Island: The island of Fogo is home to the highest peak in Cape Verde, Pico do Fogo, which stands at over 2,800 meters (9,000 feet) tall. The island is also home to a large volcanic crater, known as Cha das Caldeiras, which is a popular hiking destination.
- Santo Antão Island: Santo Antão is known for its rugged terrain, with steep cliffs and deep valleys that were carved out by volcanic activity. The island is also the greenest one of all, and offers a beautiful tropical fauna with fruits, sugar cane, and homemade specialties.
- Sal Island: Sal is the most “classic desert” type island. It has actually very light sanded beaches and lighter landscapes than the other islands, which makes it the best island for classical “beach-and-sun” holidays.
- Brava Island: Brava Island is known for its rugged coastline and volcanic peaks, and for its green soft vegetation!
Visitors to Cape Verde can explore the volcanic landscape through hiking and trekking tours, bird watching tours and may also have the opportunity to visit active volcanoes such as Pico do Fogo on Fogo Island. It is important to note that while the volcanoes in Cape Verde are monitored closely for any signs of activity, visitors should always follow any safety instructions and guidelines in place.
Local Cuisine
The cuisine of Cape Verde is a fusion of African, European, and Portuguese influences, with a focus on seafood, beans, and starchy vegetables. Here are some of the most popular dishes in Cape Verdean cuisine:
- Cachupa: This is considered the national dish of Cape Verde and is a hearty stew made with corn, beans, and vegetables, and may also include meat or fish. There are different variations of cachupa across the islands, with each island having its own unique twist on the dish.
- Grilled fish: With its location in the Atlantic Ocean, seafood is a staple of Cape Verdean cuisine, and grilled fish is a popular dish. Fish such as tuna, grouper, and snapper are commonly served with vegetables and rice.
- Grogue: This is a traditional Cape Verdean rum made from sugarcane and is often consumed as a digestive after meals or during social gatherings.
- Pastel com diablo: This is a savory pastry filled with spicy meat, onions, and vegetables.
- Queijo do Fogo: This is a type of cheese made on the island of Fogo, typically made from cow’s milk and aged for several months.
- Funge: This is a starchy dish made from cornmeal or cassava flour and is often served with a spicy sauce or stew.
- Catchupa Ratchada: This is a variation of cachupa made with shredded beef, onions, and garlic, and is typically spicier than the traditional cachupa.
Also, read our article on locally-sourced foods.
Overall, Cape Verdean cuisine is flavorful and diverse, with a focus on fresh seafood, vegetables, and starchy staples such as beans and corn. Visitors to Cape Verde can enjoy a variety of local dishes at restaurants and cafes across the islands.
Music of Cabo Verde
The music of Cape Verde is rich and diverse, and has been influenced by the country’s history and cultural heritage. Cape Verdean music is characterized by a fusion of African, European, and Brazilian styles, with a focus on traditional instruments such as the cavaquinho, guitar, and accordion.
One of the most famous genres of music from Cape Verde is morna, which is a slow and melancholic style of music that is often compared to blues or fado. Morna is typically sung in Cape Verdean Creole, and often tells stories of love, longing, and nostalgia. Cesária Évora, known as the “Queen of Morna,” was a famous Cape Verdean singer who helped popularize the genre around the world.
Another popular genre of music in Cape Verde is coladeira, which is a lively and upbeat style that often incorporates elements of samba and other Brazilian rhythms. Coladeira is often associated with dance, and is frequently played at parties and other social gatherings.
Funaná is another popular style of music in Cape Verde, which is characterized by its use of the accordion and frenetic rhythms that are often played on traditional percussion instruments. Funaná originated on the island of Santiago, and was traditionally played at rural festivals and celebrations.
Other genres of music from Cape Verde include batuque, a percussion-driven style that is often accompanied by call-and-response vocals, and the more modernized genres of kizomba and zouk, which have gained popularity in recent years.
Overall, Cape Verde is known for its relaxed people, diverse culture, and stunning beaches and marine life, making it a popular destination for travelers seeking a unique and unforgettable experience!
