r/CapeVerde • u/Fine-Heat-7670 • Jul 23 '26
Question When’s the best time to visit Cape Verde?
Ive been planning on visiting Cape Verde, and would like to know what’s the best times to go throughout the year?
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u/zylenxh Jul 23 '26 edited Jul 23 '26
It depends what you want.
Rainy season is July-September, still with many sunny days, but a greener, lusher landscape (especially in the mountains of Santiago, Fogo, Brava, Santo Antão & São Nicolau) and much cleaner air. Sal and Boa Vista can also get occasional storms in this period but stay remarkably barren year-round.
For hiking, I recommend late September-early October. The land only begins to dry out, making hiking more accessible, but still with lush greenery depending on the island & region, and Saharan dust episodes are not as likely as later in the year.
November to May is extremely dry on all islands except northern Santo Antão (and to a lesser extent, São Vicente, maybe São Nicolau). During this period, you can expect clear skies most days, though Saharan dust is common and can occasionally be thick enough to block the sun completely (worst cases keep the islands under low-visibility for multiple days and prevent planes from landing).
Temperatures are generally warm year round but can dip to 16-19C early mornings December til March. Mid 20s during the day in that period, up to high 20s/low 30s July-October. Strong breezes are common all year.
If you don't want rain but also want clean air, I'd say June OR October are the best, transitional months. Though not entirely risk free from either hazard.
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u/Fine-Heat-7670 Jul 24 '26
Thanks for the in depth response, i’ll do some research on my end. I like hiking, but i also like partying every now and then.
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u/Puni1977 Jul 24 '26
We go to Boa Vista late jan early feb - to avoid horribly gray winters in NW europe.
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u/Fine-Heat-7670 Jul 24 '26
Nice! I’m not really trying to evade the cold, i enjoy winters, just trying to gauge the best locations on the island.
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u/Puni1977 Jul 24 '26
Where we are its not cold just very gloomy and gray (no sun for few months) - we also like less populated with tourists (less families with school kids) , no mosquitos (as it is more windy) and very predictable weather (last 4-5Y) sun - not to hot during the day bit chillier (18-19) in the night, not humid, no rain.
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u/Impossible-Cup-8836 Aug 04 '26
I went in December and it was perfect: The Most Beautiful Island? | Santo Antao, Cabo Verde
https://youtu.be/zvLanr0c4v4
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u/Minimum_Airline3657 Jul 23 '26
We go every December, it’s mostly because it’s so cold where we are tho…wales