TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(CVE)
Cape Verdean Escudo |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 238 |
Time:
GMT - 1.
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Telephone:
IDD is possible to main cities. Country code: 238. Improvements
to rural areas are in progress and the islands have around 22,900
telephones.
Climate:
Generally temperate, but rainfall is very low.
Required
clothing: Lightweight throughout the year, tropical for
midsummer.
Food
& Drink: There is an increasing number of restaurants
and cafes. The main local culinary speciality is cachupa, a mess
of maize and beans. Fruits include mangoes, bananas, papayas,
goiabas (guavas), zimbrão, tambarinas, marmelos, azedinhas,
tamaras and cocos. Local beer, wine and spirits are commonly available;
grogue is a popular choice. Soft drinks are expensive.
Shopping:
There are daily markets. The Santa Catarina market is held Wednesday
and Saturday. Coconut shells are carved by local craftsmen; there
is also pottery, lacework and basketry. Shopping hours: Mon-Fri
0800-1300 and 1500-1900, Sat 0900-1300.
Tipping:
It is normal to give ten per cent for good service.
Currency: Cape Verde Escudo (CVEsc) = 100 centavos.
Notes are in denominations of CVEsc5000, 2500, 2000, 1000, 500,
200 and 100. Coins are in denominations of CVEsc200, 100, 50,
20, 10 and 1.
Currency
exchange: Available at the airport and in local banks.
Currency cannot be reconverted, except in Portugal. There are
ATMs at the airport on Sal.
Credit
& debit cards: Rarely used. A few major hotels accept
Visa. Currency can be obtained in banks from credit cards but
charges are very high.
