Cape Verde

Cape Verde has now been discovered and is recognised as the new Caribbean of Europe. But unlike the Caribbean it is only 5.5 hours flying time, with only 1-hour time difference, which means no jet lag!

Just 500kms off the West African coast lies 10 superb islands offering pure white unspoilt sandy beaches, with year round temperature of 26oC makes investing in these islands an opportunity not to be missed.

Cape Verde has a stable democratic government, who very much encourage and support development and tourism in their country. This has had a huge influence and a very positive impact on high capital growth and rental yields.

The currency is at fixed exchange rate to the Euro. With capital gains tax at 3% and inheritance tax at only 3% this only adds to the investment attraction.

Sal

Sal is the most developed of the Cape Verde Islands for tourism, the town of Santa Maria being the centre of the action and the main tourist resort of Cape Verde. Crystal clear waters lap along stretches of beautiful white sandy beach, and water sports enthusiasts and holidaymakers make the most of the rapidly developing hotels, resorts and tourist infrastructure. Santa Maria is renowned for water sports, boasting some of the best wind surfing & scuba diving locations in the world.


Santa Maria has surprisingly good restaurants right on the beach, and in the town you find a lovely square with shops, bars and restaurants with musicians playing Cape Verdean classics in the open air. Santa Maria is still very much in it's infancy as a resort. The palms are still 4 feet high, but growing with the popularity of this charming town.


The international airport in Sal is a 15 minute drive to Santa Maria, on the best tarmac road in Cape Verde. With umpteen golf courses, marinas, casino & water-park currently being constructed, it is very easy to see why the tourist numbers are increasing dramatically each year.

With a mixture of African & Portuguese influences the Cape Verdian people are very friendly and very welcoming, with a natural hospitality and helpfulness that make you feel at home straight away.

Facts :

Money

• The unit of currency is the Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) and is fixed to the Euro at €1 = 110 CVE's
• CVE's can only be purchased and exchanged back whilst in Cape Verde

Health

• There is a basic hospital in Espargos (Sal) and an air ambulance service for emergencies requiring medical assistance outside of Cape Verde
• There is no free medical assistance in Sal, ensure you have adequate travel insurance
• There is a pharmacy in Santa Maria.

Electricity

• Voltage for Cape Verde is 220v and plugs are 2 round pins

Communications

• There are public telephones in Santa Maria
• Internet is available in Internet Cafe's and larger hotels in Sal
• There is satellite TV transmitting channels in English in Cape Verde

Language

• The official language is Portuguese but most Cape Verdeans speak a Creole dialect (called Crioulu)
• French is a second language but English is widely spoken

Food and Drink

• Cape Verde food is influenced by Portuguese cooking
• The local dish is Cachupa - a stew made from beans, corn and meat
• The local drink is grogue - a sugar cane based alcohol
• Beer is brewed in Cape Verde and wine is imported from Portugal and made locally on Fogo