Visiting Cape Verde with kids – 13 things to know
Cape Verde was on my wishlist for a few years before we visited – the islands off the coast of Senegal are still much further under the radar than the Canaries to the north but getting more and more popular with tourists. But how about visiting Cape Verde with kids?
I didn’t know anyone who’d been before we’d booked, but I was hooked by the idea of guaranteed sun, some unusual places to explore and a beach holiday that’s still a little bit different.
And after a week on Sal, it certainly didn’t let us down. I have more posts on our hotel (Melia Dunas resort if you’re looking for Cape Verde luxury hotels), things to do on Sal with kids and plenty of reasons why you should consider family holidays to Cape Verde – but to start off, if you’re thinking of visiting Cape Verde with kids, here are my top things to know.
Click here to see some of the things to do in Cape Verde.
1. They love kids
If you’re umming and aahing because you’re not sure how child-friendly Cape Verde is, worry no more.
Kids are welcome everywhere and are usually the centre of attention too – while we found everyone to be very friendly, this is one of the most family-friendly destinations I’ve been to.
2. But check the facilities
If you’re outside a resort, don’t expect baby change tables or that everywhere will have high chairs… in some places, you won’t even get pavement.
If you want a car seat for a taxi, it’s best to take your own (although our tour guide did produce one for our island day out) and each driver seems to work to their own speed limit.
3. Food is easy
Both in the towns and in the resorts, even my fussy mini traveller was easy to feed – fresh fish and chips, pizza, pasta were all staples, along with plenty of other child-friendly options. Including ice-cream, naturally.
Check out my review of Melia Dunas for an all-inclusive Cape Verde family holiday
4. But take baby products
There are supermarkets – Santa Maria on Sal, near most of the hotels, had a couple of mini markets – but this is one place I’d advise taking anything specific you need, especially formula, wipes, baby food and nappies.
Even our impressive resort had limited options in its shop, and if you’re planning to lounge by the pool most days, you won’t want to venture out hunting for supplies if you can avoid it.
5. Don’t drink the water
Tap water isn’t safe to drink, so stick to bottled – the resorts will use that for ice too.
6. Watch the sun
With a breeze blowing most days, it’s easy to forget quite how hot the sun is – but it’s a tropical island off Africa, so that means strong. Even with factor 50+ on (my trusty Ultrasun) and staying out of the sun during the hottest hours, I still got a few pink stripes.
None for Minnie thankfully but there was some impressive sunburn on other adults by the pool. Pack plenty of suntan lotion too – this isn’t something you want to run out of.
7. But wrap up in the evening
Once the sun went down, and at times in the early morning, the breeze also meant little ones can get chilly.
It’s worth packing cardigans or light hoodies, especially if you plan to have breakfast or dinner outdoors (which is pretty likely!).
8. Watch the waves
Those winds can mean impressive waves – depending which island you’re on, there’s probably nothing much between you and the Caribbean islands except miles of Atlantic.
It also means strong waves so find out which of the local beaches are calmer coves, especially if you’re visiting outside the summer months when the winds drop.
Our resort had a breakwater with a calmer lagoon where older kids swam but the weather in early April was still a bit rough for a four-year-old, so I was glad of the swimming pools.
9. Golden sands optional
Only a few islands have golden beaches, including Boa Vista and Sal which get sand blown from the Sahara and the highest number of tourists. The others will have black volcanic beaches.
10. Hit the pool
Don’t expect pools to be heated except in winter (and not always then) – by April that lovely sunshine meant that even unheated water warmed up enough for us to swim almost every day, and shallower baby and splash pools were a few degrees warmer. Just keep a snuggly towel to hand on the lounger.
11. Expect to lounge
Each of the islands has its attractions, and we had a full day out plus a couple of mornings exploring.
Check out what there is to do on Sal with kids.
But this is somewhere you go to relax, not to spend every day discovering something new. With a week away, it was the perfect balance of keeping everyone interested and getting a chance to kick back.
12. No stress
It’s the unofficial motto of the islands – which is part of what makes them the perfect place for a laid-back escape with kids, without worrying about… well… anything really.
It does mean that any problems (an unexpected power cut one day for us) will need some prompting before promises to resolve them turn into action. And be prepared for long queues at the small airports as you head home.
Fortunately you’ll be nicely relaxed by then!
13. Safe in the sun
Is Cape Verde safe? Although I hesitate to say anywhere is 100% safe, this has to be close. Crime rates are low, and while it always pays to be sensible, I never felt remotely threatened, even wandering away from the main tourist areas – and that’s a huge plus for a family holiday for me.
If you’re wondering do you need vaccinations for Cape Verde, it’s reassuring that there’s no malaria on Sal and the vaccinations recommended are limited (and ones you might well already have had if you’ve travelled beyond Europe before).
So is Cape Verde good for families? That’s a definite yes I’m already wondering which island to go to next…
*first published 2017, last updated 2025*
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This is great to read as Cape Verde has intrigued me for a while. Having just got back from Madeira I’m interested how it compares in temperature and beaches etc This has made me want to visit even more!
I haven’t been to Madeira but had the impression that’s much greener – so more like the Azores or some of the other more westwards Cape Verde islands. It did remind me of the Canary Islands in some way, except they’re so much more developed. And because it’s that much further south, it’s definitely warmer despite being as windy (apart from the occasional cloudy day).
So glad to read this. Looking for somewhere to go for my 40th that seems luxurious bit will also keep my 4 year old amused and it sounds like the perfect balance. Plus my birthday is in February so temp seems perfect
Glad it was helpful – would make a lovely birthday escape and should be warm already by February (definitely a lot warmer than the UK!)
Thank you for this post! It was very helpful. I am
Going to Sal in two weeks with my partner and our 18 month year old for a winter getaway. Could you recommend any particular golden beaches? No worries if you can’t remember them!
Have a wonderful time – the beach at Santa Maria was golden sand and the waves weren’t so rough there when we visited
I’m totally sold. Safe, a beach, not very touristy and great with kids…sounds pretty perfect. How many islands are there out of interest?
Exactly! There are 10 islands plus more uninhabited islets – quite a few sound very different from Sal (and Boa Vista which seems similar, and which are the biggest tourist destinations)
It sounds like a very laid back, chilled holiday – just what the doctor ordered! Lovely beaches, a safe environment, relaxed atmosphere -what is there not to like? I’ve not been yet, but a little explore around the islands sounds perfect with kids. #familytraveltips
Exactly – I had such a great time, properly relaxing for once.
This looks wonderful. I have considered Cape Verde myself and if I am honest was unsure about the medical facilities if the little ones are poorly. I never used to think of this until my 6 year old came down with raging tonsillitis last year in Tenerife! Beaches look lovely and relaxed…looks perfect to me! #familytraveltips
It’s always good to think about that and be prepared – I remember trying to find a doctor in St Lucia when my daughter (then not quite two) got a nasty ear infection. Sal has its own hospital, as do a couple of the other islands including Santiago which has the capital on, but it seems that for anything too complicated, you’d be airlifted either to the Canary Islands or Lisbon (which has direct flights) so definitely worth having good insurance.
It looks like a great place to travel to with kids and lots to do too. My two would be fascinated by the black volcanic beaches. #familytraveltips
The black sand is weird and rather wonderful.
Looks like a great place to visit. Would never of thought to take the kids there. I bet the pictures dont do it justice?! #familytraveltips
It’s perfect for a family holiday: lots more photos to come in the rest of the posts, although I’d already love to see some of the other islands which seem very different.
Oh my goodness! Living the dream! Some fabulous tips here, my two are a bit too old to need any of the baby supplies / changing facilities etc. that you mention but really useful to know about car seats. Definitely somewhere I would think about visiting with the children. Thanks so much for joining in with #FamilyTravelTips
Nat.x
It is such a great place for families – thankfully we’re beyond the baby/nappy years too which does make life easier.
Hi! I’ve never read a blog post on Cape Verde before, and as I’ve never visited this was really useful. Looks like a great place and glad you enjoyed some relaxation!
Thanks! Would definitely recommend – so relaxing, just what I needed
HI,
What did you do for a baby car seat? we are due to travel next month with a 10 month old, we are around 20mins from the airport in Sal to our hotel.
Thanks,
For a 10-month-old, you might be best taking your own unless you’re happy to hold them for the transfer and aren’t planning any more travel. For our day trip, the company provided a child seat for my daughter (which I hadn’t expected) and we have an inflatable booster seat for her but she was four at the time, so it’s a bit easier for short distances etc.
Hi
Do you know if the kids need to get vaccinated for cape verde? We are thinking of going to Sal and my son is 2 years old. I am abit worried about the need of vaccines for this place thanks
The official recommendation is for Hepatitis A and typhoid (on top of the ones they’d usually have as standard) – and Tetanus, although kids have normally have had at least one vaccination for that by age two. My daughter had had all of them for our trip to Burma the year before aged three, so apart from getting the Hep A booster (which we were going to do anyway) I didn’t really check into it much further at the time.
I’m not a health professional so I’d always recommend talking to your GP – from what I’ve read the risk may be less than on the mainland, but there’s still a risk otherwise the immunisations wouldn’t be advised. These are the main ones recommended for a lot of travel so if you were advised to go ahead, it does mean you’re covered then for the majority of countries. But I’d definitely talk to a doctor to see what they say in your son’s case.
Sounds like an ideal location for some half term sun #CityTripping
Absolutely – made a perfect relaxed sunny break
I’ve never really understood why Cape Verde hasn’t taken off in the same way as other holiday destinations, you make it sound ideal for a beach holiday.
It is absolutely fantastic – and while some are more geared up for tourism than others, there’s plenty of choice too. If you want somewhere that’s not long-haul but is still a bit more adventurous than most European beach breaks, it really is hard to beat.
We are considering Cape Verde with a 3month old, would you recomend?
I think I’d be a bit more concerned about the health aspect with a baby that little – you’re just that bit further from European standard medical facilities, too little for the recommended vaccinations and so on. The destination itself is so welcoming to kids though, so that wouldn’t be a problem (although you might find fewer places with car seats, high chairs etc, even pavements to walk a buggy along!) and some of the hotels, like Melia Dunas where we stayed, are gorgeous. It depends a bit on your travel style – I don’t know if you also have older kids and experience travelling with them – but personally I’d be inclined to put it off for a few years…
Planning to take my 8 month old do you think this age would still be too young?
You certainly could, although it wouldn’t be my top pick when they’re that young – the wind and sun are both very strong (we saw lots of very pink shoulders but also needed to wrap up in the morning and evening), and the sea definitely isn’t an option for paddling. Having said that, there are some gorgeous hotels there and they love kids.
One point to add: I’m not sure where you’re based, but the government advice in the UK at present is against all but essential travel to the islands, with mandatory quarantine on your return. Hopefully that will all improve soon, but the Canary Islands might be an easier option in a similar area (and where I took my daughter at that age).
Hi, just reading this as we’re looking for some winter sun in Jan/Fab. We’re looking to go away with our 3.5 year old for about 3 weeks. Do you think there’s enough to keep us entertained for 3 weeks?
Thanks!
I think that’s going to depend slightly on weather and how long you’re happy to laze around in the sun – we did a day tour of the island which covered pretty much everything on Sal, plus another couple of little trips out. We did also consider a day trip to Boa Vista, so that would fill another day and you could spread out your exploring a bit more. But realistically, you’d be spending most of your time by the pool or beach (and the seas will probably be pretty rough in Jan/Feb).
If the weather is good (and it’ll certainly be better than the UK!) and you’re happy to spend most of your time relaxing in the sun, you could certainly do three weeks. If you think you’re going to get bored after a week by the pool, or if the weather is a bit more mixed, that’s going to feel a long break. We had a week and loved it, and I’d happily have spent another few days, maybe another week but probably not three.
Just found your amazing article about Santa Maria! I am living in Sweden and blessed by the dark and rainy weather 🙂 No sun or short sunlight at this time ( Nov). Really longing for beach and sunshine. I saw you wrote that the sea could be rough in Jan/Feb. How it would be in Dec? What is the best season to visit there?
I am a single mum with two kids, they are a bit older now, 8 and 11. I want to travel with them but I am not that brave enough neither. Your article reassure me a bit 🙂
Any special requirements for visiting there during pandemic? I have got two dose vaccines. Does it still require to have Covid test? Even the children ?
Do you travel a lot with your kids ? Will read more of your blogs 🙂
Really glad it was helpful, and I can relate to wanting sunshine right now! We were there in April and the seas were quite rough for younger kids, depending where you were on the island, so realistically it’s going to be worse in December – most places have pools and it’ll be a lot warmer than Sweden (or anywhere in northern Europe!), the average is 20-25C, but probably windy so it’ll feel cooler at night.
The sun is very strong though, so visiting in midsummer would be very hot – I think April/May and September/October are probably ideal. In terms of entry requirements, you’d need to check the rules coming from Sweden: for the UK, adults need a Covid certificate if you have both doses (or test 72 hours before departure), but children don’t, so I imagine the rules for EU countries would be similar.
And I hope some of the blog posts do inspire you to travel with your kids: now they’re a bit older, it’s much easier than going with a baby or preschooler (although I did do that solo too). I usually recommend to start small and build up, but it’s such a wonderful thing to do. Good luck!
Hello,
Looking at going to Cape V in August and staying at the same hotel. How was the hotel as the reviews on trip advisor dont paint a good picture 🙁
We are going with an 11 year old and 1 year old so looking for some fun evening things to watch and do.
We had a great time at the hotel – our trip was a few years back, so while I keep the tips updated, I can’t say if things have changed or if the reviews are a bit unfair though. Looking at them, I don’t remember having any issues getting into the different restaurants, and our rooms were lovely (we got an unexpected free upgrade).
If you do have a problem that needs fixing, the attitude is quite relaxed so you do need to push though (some more details in my full review – https://www.mummytravels.com/melia-dunas-review-cape-verde/) and I’ve seen some reviews complaining that it’s not 5-star service – it’s certainly not on a par with eg Dubai but everyone was friendly. I don’t remember much about the entertainment either I’m afraid.