Capital – Praia
The archipelago consists of 10 large and 5 small islands, divided into “leeward” and “windward” groups. The windward group includes Santo Antao, San Vicente, San Nicolau, the uninhabited island of Santa Luzia, Sal and Boa Vista.. In the “lee” – Santiago (Santiago), Brava (Brava), Fogo (Fogo) and Maio (Maio).
Holidays and non-working days: January 1 – New Year, January 13 – Democracy Day, January 20 – National Heroes Day, May 1 – Workers’ Day, June 1 – International Children’s Day, July 5 – Independence Day, November 1 – All Saints Day, December 25 – Christmas. Non-working days are also some passing holidays (Carnival and the First Day of Lent – Tuesday and Wednesday in February, Holy Friday – in April).
POPULATION AND LANGUAGE
The official language is Portuguese, the locals speak Creole.
TIME
Time: GMT -01:00
Difference with Moscow: -04:00
CLIMATE
According to bridgat, the climate is dry tropical, the average temperature in July-August is about +28..+32°C, in January-February +23..+25°C. Water temperature in the ocean: February-March +21..+22°C, August-October +25..+26°C. The wind blows constantly on the islands, which helps to endure the summer heat well. There is little precipitation during the year, mostly in January-February.
CURRENCY
The escudo is rigidly pegged to the euro. The exchange rate is 110,270 escudos for 1 euro. 1 US dollar is equal to 93 escudos.
TRANSPORT
Renting a car costs about 50-80 euros per day.
The state of roads in the country is good. Most of the islands are dominated by mountain roads, while the islands of Sal, Boavista and Mayu have a flat landscape. In Cape Verde, the roads drive on the right.
The main fuels are household gas (butane) ($24 per 12.5 kg), gasoline ($1.81 per litre) and diesel ($1.27 per litre).
There are no toll roads in the country.
The national Russian driver’s license is recognized in the country, but it is preferable to purchase an international driver’s license. In the event of an accident, the police must be called.
Domestic flights between the islands of Santiago, Boavista, Sal, Sao Nicolau, Santo Antao and Sao Vicente are operated by Transportes Aereos de Cabo Verde (www.tacv.cv). Flights are operated 1-2 times a day in each of the directions, except for the island of Sal (4 flights per day). The cost of flights varies from $40 to $80 one way. The company offers the so-called Air Pass, which is 10 coupons for flights between the islands within 22 days. Coupons cost $380.
The fare for public transport in the city is » 0.3 euros, the cost of a taxi in the city is 1-2 euros, the fare for a taxi from the airport to the city center is » 10 euros. The distance between the city center and the airport on all islands is minimal, » 10-15 minutes by car.
Bus service, as a regular mode of transport, is absent on the islands. As a rule, 12-seater minibuses, popularly called “Carrinhos”, run around the islands. They depart as they fill with passengers and connect the main cities with villages located in the depths of the islands. Communication is quite frequent and on the larger islands (Santiago, Fogo, Sal) traveling by public transport is easy and convenient. At the same time, on small islands (Brava, Santa Luzia, etc.), the only transport can be only a taxi.
Taxis are available on all major islands (Santiago, Sal, Fogo, Mayu, Santo Antan). Given that taxis can often be the only possible means of transport (especially on smaller islands), prices can be quite high.
COMMUNICATION
Not all Russian operators have GPRS-roaming. Please check directly with your operator. Major hotels offer Internet access. You can also use Internet services in business centers of large cities. There are few pay phones, there are at airports and post offices.
There are two mobile phone companies in Cape Verde, KV Movel and T+.
The local mobile operator operates in the GSM 900 band, G3 and G4 operate. Subscribers of “MTS” and “MegaFon” are offered to use Thuraya satellite communication. Beeline subscribers should clarify information about roaming immediately before the trip. Travelers are encouraged to buy local SIM cards on the spot. The price is 20 euros. International calls – 0.5 euro/minute.
Country code: +238. Useful phone numbers in the country:
Praia: Central Hospital – 130, fire department – 131, police – 132;
o.Sal: Central Hospital – 2411130, fire department – 2411131, police – 2411132;
o.San Vicente: Central Hospital – 2327355, fire department – 2325231, police – 2314631 or 132.
Single help desk telephone number for all islands – 102.
Aeroflot: representative office on the island of Sal – hotel `Aeroflot`, PO Box 49, Santa Mary, tel. (238) 42-13-00, 42-13-01, 42-13-02, fax 42-13-02; office at the international airport. A. Cabral on about. Sal, tel. 41-11-80.
Embassy of Russia in Praia: CP 31, Achada de Santo Antonio; tel.: (238) 262-27-38, 262-27-39, 262-27-40
VOLTAGE
Electric voltage in the network – 220 watts.
VISA AND CUSTOMS CONTROL
On April 30, 2019, an Agreement was signed between the Government of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Republic of Cape Verde on the mutual abolition of visa requirements (effective date – July 4, 2020), according to which citizens of Russia and Cape Verde who do not intend to work, study or reside in the territory of another state are exempted from visa requirements for entry, stay, exit or transit through the territory of another state. The duration of each such stay may not exceed 60 days. The total period of permitted stay of citizens of Russia and Cape Verde in the territory of another state is established in accordance with the laws and regulations of the state of each Party.
To obtain a residence permit, you must live in the country for at least 6 months.
In the case of a transplant in Portugal or another European country without entering the city, a Schengen visa is not required.
The validity of a foreign passport should expire no earlier than six months after entering the country.
Crossing the border is carried out only through border control points at airports and seaports of the country.
For the import / export of weapons and ammunition, a police permit is required.
The import/export of drugs is prohibited.
Phytosanitary control is carried out at the airport at the entrance. For the import/export of pets, a veterinary certificate of the country the animal is leaving is required.
The Embassy of Russia and the consular department: Praia, PO Box 31, Achada de Santo Antonio (Priaia, Achada de Santo Antonio, S.R. 31), st. OUA, tel. (238) 61-27-38, 61-27-39 (around the clock), fax 62-27-38, telex 6016.
In Cape Verde, there is a free order for the import / export of alcohol and cigarettes, jewelry and jewelry, artistic and cultural and historical values. For the import / export of weapons and ammunition, a police permit is required. To import a car, you must go through the customs clearance procedure. Petrol can only be imported in small quantities together with the car. The import/export of drugs is prohibited.
Phytosanitary control is carried out at the airport at the entrance. For the import/export of pets, a veterinary certificate of the country the animal is leaving is required.
