Travel to Cape Verde - Episode 817

Hear about travel to Cape Verde as the Amateur Traveler talks to Paulina from paulinaontheroad.com about this island nation off the coast of Africa.

Paulina says, “There’s actually a bunch of arguments why you must visit Cape Verde. In total, there are 10 islands, and every island is a little universe, if not to say a paradise on its own, because every island is very different from each other. So if you are more of a hiker, an outdoor lover, there are islands that have stunning hiking trails.”

“If you are more of the all-inclusive type of traveler, you prefer to stay at the hotel and not move from your sun lounge, there’s an island for that as well. If you prefer offbeat and quiet and have no wifi connection at all, there’s an island for that as well. If you’re more into city, life, and culture, there are two islands for that as well.”

“You can really pick an island as a destination, depending on what you like to do on a holiday. That’s also the reason why many people keep coming back to Cape Verde because every island of the 10 islands is so different.”

Paulina lays out a 7-10 day itinerary that visits the southern islands. She starts us in Praia on the island of Santiago. she suggests visiting its music clubs and the Tarrafel concentration camp and doing a tour of the island.

We head from there to São Filipe on the island of Fogo. The island of Fogo has an active volcano, and visiting the volcano is a must. While you are there, visit the only winery in the country.

The 3rd island we visit is the green island of Brava with its capital of Nova Sintra which is in the island’s interior. It was moved from the coast back in the days when pirates roamed the area.

The final island we visit is Maio. Maio has beautiful beaches, but… at least for now… does not have big international brand hotels. Paulina was secluded on Maio when the country closed down travel during Covid and even closed travel between islands.

Learn why Paulina has fallen in love with these remote islands and why you might as well.