Best time to go to Cape Verde for a perfect weather and where to go?

Where and when to go based on the weather?

Best time to travel to Cape Verde by cities

Best time to go to Praia

Best time to go to Sal Rei

Best time to go to Baía das Gatas

Best time to go to Calheta

Best time to go to Curral Velho

Best time to go to Espargos (Sal Island)

Best time to go to ilha Brava

Best time to go to Mindelo

Best time to go to Mosteiros

Best time to go to Murdeira

Best time to go to Pedra Badejo

Best time to go to Porto Novo

Best time to go to Rabil

Best time to go to Ribeira Brava (São Nicolau)

Best time to go to Ribeira Grande

Best time to go to Santa Luzia island

Climate and Weather in Cabo Verde

Cape Verde is an archipelago located off the coast of Africa, near Mauritania and Senegal. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year, just like the Canary Islands located a bit further north. This archipelago of volcanic islands has a dry tropical climate, which means that heat is present but rainfall is scarce. Indeed, the Cape Verde islands are located close to the Sahara, which gives a certain aridity to the local weather. It rains about 1 day from December to July.

The climate of Cape Verde is also greatly influenced by the northeast trade winds, as well as by a dry and dusty wind very present in the Sahara: the Harmattan.

Moreover, some islands are affected by the African monsoon which brings heavy rains, especially in mountainous areas. These rains, although quite variable from year to year, can sometimes be very violent and cause significant damage.

Cape Verde Climate: Which Season to Choose?

In the Cape Verde archipelago, there are two main seasons:

• the dry season, from November to June
• the rainy season, which extends from July to October.

Temperatures rarely exceed 30°C and are pleasant, regardless of the season. At higher altitudes, however, the atmosphere can cool down, especially at night. Therefore, as the Cape Verde archipelago has a lot of relief, this element should be taken into account when preparing your trip.

Nevertheless, one can never go wrong by visiting these islands in any season as the weather in Cape Verde is pleasant. The country enjoys significant sunshine, with seven to ten hours of sun per day throughout the year.

Cape Verde Climate by Regions

Moreover, it should be noted that Cape Verde has two distinct groups of islands:

• the Barlavento or "windward islands" in the north
• and the Sotavento or "leeward islands" in the south

The Barlavento islands include Santo Antão, São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boa Vista, and Santa Luzia.

While the Sotavento islands include Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava.

These two regions have a different climate. Here are some key points to consider when planning your trip to Cape Verde.

Cape Verde Climate - Barlavento Islands

The Barlavento islands have a drier climate than the south of the archipelago.

For example, precipitation is very low throughout the year on the island of Sal. There is usually only one rainy day in August and September and almost none for the rest of the year. This is due to its arid climate and the presence of trade winds, which are very common in this region. Sal is indeed a paradise for watersports enthusiasts. Additionally, temperatures on Sal are pleasant, not too hot: ranging between 22 and 27°C all year round.

The other northern islands have a similar climate. Good weather prevails over gloominess, swimming is possible all year round, and rainfall is extremely rare. Therefore, most travelers head to these islands to enjoy the beaches of Cape Verde, especially in Boa Vista and Sal. However, Cape Verde, with its rugged terrain and lush landscapes, is also a beloved destination for hikers. The islands of Santo Antao and São Nicolau will delight them throughout the year.

Finally, the regular breeze blowing on these islands can bring a sense of coolness, especially in winter. It is therefore necessary to bring something to cover up. Moreover, swimming between December and February may sometimes be reserved for the bravest due to a cooler atmosphere and rough seas.

Cape Verde Climate - Sotavento Islands

On the other hand, the Sotavento islands have a warmer climate than the northern islands. The capital of Cape Verde, Praia, experiences temperatures that can reach 30°C in August and September. Furthermore, although the climate is generally pleasant on these islands, it is also slightly rainier.

From July to October, the weather is hotter, and torrential rains can occur. These heavy downpours can lead to floods and landslides due to their rapid occurrence. Fortunately, this does not prevent traveling during this period as these phenomena remain very rare. It should be noted, however, that the sky can also be overcast during this period. Therefore, for sunshine, it is better to head to the north of Cape Verde during a summer holiday.

Furthermore, hurricanes that affect the Caribbean often form in the North Atlantic, near Cape Verde. Thus, it is possible that the southern islands may be affected by these phenomena between the months of August and September. However, this remains very rare.

Temperatures and rainfall in Cabo Verde

On these 3 graphs, we present the evolution of temperatures of Cape Verde and month-by-month rainfall for the cities of Praia, Sal Rei, Baía das Gatas, Calheta and Curral Velho, as well as the month-by-month sea temperature for coastal cities.

Peak visitor numbers and tourist seasons in Cabo Verde

Find out when Cape Verde has its high tourist season (the period when the influx of tourists is highest) and off-peak tourist season using our data and figures.

Tourist seasons in Cabo Verde

The months with low numbers of tourists are: March, April, May, June, July, September and October. The number of visitors to Cape Verde is high in: January, February, August, November and December.

• Very low season in Cabo Verde: March, May, June and September.
• Low season in Cabo Verde: April, July and October.
• High season in Cabo Verde: January, February, August and November.
• Peak season in Cabo Verde: December.

Figure: Visitor index for Cape Verde month by month

Average price for flights to Cape Verde

Find the best price for your flight Flight prices to Cape Verde

Where to go in Cabo Verde?

This table allows you to see the maximum temperature for each city and our opinion on the weather month by month (see colour legend below the table).

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About Cape Verde

What can I do in Cabo Verde?

Beaches / swimming

Nature and countryside

Culture and heritage

Sports

Family travel

Crafts / shopping

Gastronomy

Nightlife