Cape Verde Holidays in 2013

Families love coming to Cape Verde because there is so much to do. From game fishing to safaris, strolling the trails or investigating the canyons, Cape Verde has something for everyone to make sure you're kept busy during your stay.

Cape Verde has a lovely, welcoming attitude that extends well into its nightlife. Music and dancing is an integral part of Cape Verdean’s culture, and they encourage tourists to join in. Sao Vicente is home to a number of venues that are family friendly. Here you will be able to see traditional music, as well as dine on some of the local faire such as Lagostada, a lobster dish, or Cachupa, a traditional potato and maize meal.

With ten islands and some 24 cities on Cape Verde, finding a place to stay isn’t difficult. It’s deciding where you want to make your base, which poses the biggest question. The largest hotels in the archipelago are on the island of Sal and Boa Vista. Both Sal and Boa Vista offer great resorts, and beaches, making it the perfect location for a family looking to take it easy.

Get out and explore! Cape Verde holidays offers fantastic trails, like the breathtaking mountains of Santo Antão or the sand dunes of Boa Vista. If the sun is too warm for you to explore the islands, then Cape Verde makes it easy to explore the water. Most hotels have facilities to cater to the experienced, and novice scuba divers, bringing you to Cape Verde’s vast sea life. Or, if you prefer to stay above the water, there are surf and windsurf hires readily available.

A holiday with a significant other wouldn’t be right if you didn’t soak up all the best things happening once the sun goes down. Mindelo, on the island of Sao Vicente, is a great place to spend an evening. Here you will have access to the delicious local cuisine, while listening to the locals sing and dance, while sipping grog and pontche in the local bars. Music is a staple in Cape Verdean life, and you are bound to hear it at its best in Mindelo. Praia, the capital, and Cidade Velha also have excellent local food and bars.

Boa Vista and Sal are great destinations to base your holiday. Centrally located in the archipelago, they offer the finest beaches, a wide range of restaurants and access to the other islands. If you are really looking to escape it all, then the Hotel Sabura, just outside of Santa Maria on Sal, is the place you are looking for. Beautifully set, and as an adults-only hotel, you are sure to get the rest, and relaxation you are looking for.

With a unique terrain and a beach paradise, there is no shortage of activities to keep the most active of visitors happy. Water sports are popular throughout the archipelago - surfing, windsurfing, jets skiing and the like are readily available, but so too are the many trails that weave through the mountains, and the quad bikes that allow you to roam the dunes of Boa Vista.

Though music and dance are an integral part of Cape Verdean culture, it doesn’t even compare to the festival that takes place every February in the town of Mindelo. There is a large parade on the Monday, with the festivities lasting until the late hours, and then picking up again for Shrove Tuesday. The locals are very welcoming to tourists, so go, experience and enjoy. Also, during the first weekend of August, the Baia das Gatas is a large local and international music festival, taking place on the beach just outside of Mindelo.

With clear, untouched water, diving is a favourite pastime in Cape Verde. With a rich marine ecosystem, you’ll be amazed by the life underwater. But, if you prefer to keep your rugged adventures dry, grab a bike and traverse one of the many trails that line the rugged, volcanic islands of Cape Verde.