Traveling to Cape Verde is an experience unlike any other. As an island nation, Cape Verde has something of the flavor of the Caribbean, but the mix of cultures is somewhat different, and anyone who has spent time in Cape Verde will soon conclude that it is a unique place.
Cape Verde is an African country, but it is very different from the mainland, which lies approximately 375 miles to the east of the islands. There are elements of West African culture in Cape Verde, and plenty of immigrants have come to the islands from the African mainland.
However, Cape Verde also has a strong Portuguese influence and bears a substantial similarity to its colonial cousin, Brazil, which was also once under Portuguese rule. Unlike Brazil and any of the countries in mainland Africa, the islands of Cape Verde were uninhabited before the Portuguese arrived. This means there was no underlying culture to act as a foundation for the colonial one, so the culture and people of Cape Verde are truly international.
The economy of Cape Verde has suffered under repeated calamities, as trade through its ports has waxed and waned and its environment and people have suffered from drought and famine. Today, the islands are busily investing in tourism, and it seems they may have found the industry to which they are truly suited. The locals are friendly and welcoming and provide endless entertainment through music and dancing. They also produce some beautiful souvenirs, such as wooden carvings, pottery dolls and straw hats. They grow grapes in the crater of an active volcano to produce wine, and they make sweets and pastries that can be found nowhere else. Added to this is the perfect combination of year-round sunshine, warm (but not too warm) weather, and some of the most stunning beaches you could imagine, one of which could be the twin of California’s Santa Monica beach. Cape Verde seems destined to become a hotspot for tourism.
The infrastructure in Cape Verde has been developing rapidly to support the growing numbers of tourists who are reaching its shores. New hotels and resorts have sprung up around the most popular beaches, and plenty of companies offer tours and guides to the best spots on the islands. Parts of the country remain wholly unspoiled, however, and there are still some villages and remote areas where nothing has changed for hundreds of years. Donkeys graze along the edges of empty beaches, and brightly colored cottages still line up along cobbled roads, looking out to the sea.
The islands have a lot to offer. There is a vast diversity of landscapes, from salt plains to volcanic peaks and flourishing forests to barren deserts spotted only with the occasional green oasis. History stands alongside the modern world, whether it is the old-fashioned fishing boats that still bob in the village harbors.
At the same time, tourists pass by on surfboards and jet skis or the old city of Cidade Velha, once the capital of Cape Verde, which lies within easy reach of its replacement, bustling and modern Praia. Whatever you want to get from your vacation, you will be able to find here: history, culture, unique wildlife, good food, and amazing beaches.