Cape Verde Atlantic islands and beaches

Cape Verde eSIM Guide 2025

Your Complete Guide to Staying Connected in the Islands of Eternal Summer

Quick Facts About Cape Verde

General Information

  • Capital: Praia
  • Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE)
  • Language: Portuguese, Creole
  • Population: 550,000
  • Time Zone: CVT (UTC-1)

Tourist Information

  • Best Time: November-June
  • Power Plug: Type C/F (230V)
  • Emergency: 132
  • Islands: 10 (9 inhabited)
  • Visa: Required/on arrival

Benefits of eSIM for Cape Verde Travel

🏝️ All Islands Coverage

Stay connected across all ten Cape Verde islands from Sal to Santiago.

🎵 Music Festival Ready

Perfect for Mindelo's vibrant music scene and cultural festivals.

🏄 Wind Sports Paradise

Ideal for wind and kite surfing with live weather updates.

🌊 Beach Connectivity

Excellent coverage at all major beaches and resort areas.

💰 Affordable Rates

Competitive pricing compared to international roaming charges.

🚀 4G Speeds

Fast 4G LTE on main islands with good coverage.

💰 Loading Current Cape Verde eSIM Prices...

How to Install Your Cape Verde eSIM

Installation Steps

  1. Purchase: Buy your Cape Verde eSIM plan online
  2. Receive QR Code: Get installation code via email
  3. Scan & Install: Add eSIM via phone settings
  4. Activate: Turn on when you arrive in Cape Verde

Tip: Install before travel but activate only upon arrival to start your plan.

Network Coverage Across Cape Verde

Main Islands (Excellent 4G)

  • • Sal - Tourist hub
  • • Santiago - Capital island
  • • São Vicente - Cultural center
  • • Boa Vista - Desert island

Smaller Islands (Good 3G/4G)

  • • Fogo - Volcano island
  • • Santo Antão - Hiking paradise
  • • Maio - Quiet beaches
  • • Brava - Smallest inhabited

Data Plan Recommendations by Travel Type

Beach & Water Sports

Duration:7-14 days
Data needed:10-20GB

Perfect for beach resorts, wind/kite surfing, and water activities

Best for:

  • Wind conditions updates
  • Water sports booking
  • Beach bar locations
  • Social media sharing

Music & Culture

Duration:5-10 days
Data needed:8-15GB

Mindelo festivals, live music venues, and cultural discoveries

Best for:

  • Festival schedules
  • Live music venues
  • Cultural guides
  • Translation apps

Island Hopper

Duration:10-21 days
Data needed:15-25GB

Multi-island adventures across all ten Cape Verde islands

Best for:

  • Inter-island flights
  • Ferry schedules
  • Island guides
  • Transportation booking

Adventure Seeker

Duration:7-14 days
Data needed:12-20GB

Hiking, volcano exploration, and adventure activities

Best for:

  • Hiking trail maps
  • Weather updates
  • Emergency contact
  • Activity booking

Data Usage Tips for Cape Verde

Save Data:

  • • Use hotel WiFi for heavy downloads
  • • Download offline maps for island exploration
  • • Cache music for offline listening
  • • Use data-saving mode in remote areas

Typical Usage:

  • • Navigation: ~10MB per hour
  • • Social media: ~80MB per hour
  • • Video calls: ~300MB per hour
  • • Music streaming: ~150MB per hour

Not sure which plan is right for your Cape Verde adventure? Our customer support team is here to help!

Compare All Cape Verde Plans

Essential Travel Tips for Cape Verde

Island Hopping

  • • Book inter-island flights early
  • • Ferry connections can be rough
  • • Each island has unique character
  • • Weather affects transportation
  • • Download offline maps for each island

Practical Tips

  • • Euros widely accepted
  • • Portuguese and Creole spoken
  • • Bargain in local markets
  • • Respect local music culture
  • • Sun protection essential

Must-Visit Attractions

Natural Wonders

  • 🏖️ Santa Maria Beach: Perfect white sand
  • 🌋 Fogo Volcano: Active volcano crater
  • 🏜️ Boa Vista Dunes: Desert landscape
  • 🦢 Sal Salinas: Salt flats and flamingos

Culture & Music

  • 🎵 Mindelo: Music capital
  • 🏛️ Cidade Velha: UNESCO World Heritage
  • 🎭 Cesária Évora: Barefoot Diva legacy
  • 🏘️ Palmeira: Fishing village charm

Troubleshooting Guide

eSIM Not Connecting?

  • 1. Turn on airplane mode for 30 seconds, then turn off
  • 2. Ensure data roaming is ON for your eSIM line
  • 3. Select network manually: Settings → Cellular → Network Selection
  • 4. Try selecting CVTelecom manually

Slow Data Speeds?

  • • Network congestion common in Praia
  • • 4G limited to main islands
  • • Try switching between CVTelecom and Unitel
  • • Best speeds early morning/late evening

No Coverage Between Islands?

  • • Expected during ferry crossings
  • • Download offline maps beforehand
  • • Coverage resumes upon island arrival
  • • Consider satellite options for emergencies

Emergency Contacts in Cape Verde

Emergency Numbers

  • 📞 Police: 132
  • 🚒 Fire Brigade: 131
  • 🚑 Medical Emergency: 130
  • 🌊 Maritime Rescue: 133
  • 📱 General Emergency: 112

Useful Contacts

  • ✈️ Sal Airport: +238 241-38-00
  • 🏥 Hospital Agostinho Neto: +238 260-36-00
  • 💊 Pharmacy: +238 241-13-30
  • 🚖 Radio Taxi: +238 241-37-37

Cultural Guide & Etiquette

Do's

  • ✅ Learn basic Portuguese phrases
  • ✅ Respect morna music traditions
  • ✅ Support local artisans
  • ✅ Try traditional cachupa dish
  • ✅ Embrace the morabeza spirit

Don'ts

  • ❌ Don't rush island time
  • ❌ Avoid discussing politics
  • ❌ Don't ignore local customs
  • ❌ Never refuse traditional grogue
  • ❌ Don't expect strict punctuality

Cultural Note: Cape Verde has a unique Afro-Portuguese culture with strong musical traditions. "Morabeza" (hospitality) is central to Cape Verdean identity. Embrace the relaxed island lifestyle and rich cultural heritage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will eSIM work on all Cape Verde islands?

Yes! All inhabited islands have coverage, with excellent 4G on main islands like Sal and Santiago.

Do I need Portuguese for Cape Verde?

Portuguese is official, but English is spoken in tourist areas. Cape Verdean Creole is widely used locally.

Best time to visit Cape Verde?

November to June offers the best weather. July-October is windy season - perfect for wind sports!

Ready to Explore Cape Verde Connected?

Choose your perfect eSIM plan and discover Cape Verde's music, culture, and pristine beaches

View All Cape Verde eSIM Plans