Getting Around Cap Vert en janvier: A Comprehensive Guide to Ferry Services and Local Transport

January is an ideal time to visit the stunning archipelago of Cape Verde, with pleasant temperatures around 24°C providing perfect conditions for exploring its diverse islands. While each island offers unique attractions, from the diving hotspots of Sal and Boa Vista to the volcanic landscapes of Fogo and charming towns of Santo Antão, navigating between them requires some planning. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the transport options available in Cape Verde during January, ensuring you can make the most of your island-hopping adventure.

Navigating between the islands

Cape Verde's archipelago structure makes inter-island travel an essential part of experiencing this diverse destination. With some islands lacking airports, understanding your options becomes crucial for creating an effective itinerary, especially during the January high season when many European tourists seek winter sun.

Ferry Options and Schedules in January

Ferry services operated by CV Interilhas are the backbone of inter-island transport in Cape Verde. The Barlavento Line connects São Vicente and Santo Antão approximately 14 times weekly, making it one of the most frequent and reliable routes. This 50-60 minute journey costs around 1500 escudos (about 14 euros) for foreign visitors and is particularly important as Santo Antão has no airport. In January, this route maintains a consistent schedule with the Mar de Canal ferry operating twice daily (except Sundays when there's one departure) carrying up to 450 passengers.

For longer journeys, the Redonda Line links São Vicente, São Nicolau, Sal, Boavista, and Santiago a couple of times per week. The Sotavento Line connects Maio, Santiago, Fogo, and Brava around twice weekly, with prices ranging from 23 to 45 euros. The Triangular Line provides bi-weekly service linking Santiago, São Nicolau, and São Vicente, with costs between 19 and 61 euros. It's worth noting that longer journeys such as Santiago to São Nicolau can take over 13 hours, so flying might be preferable for these routes if time is limited.

Booking tips for peak holiday season

January falls within Cape Verde's peak tourist season, making advance booking essential, particularly for popular routes. The official website cvinterilhas.cv provides the most up-to-date information on schedules and allows online booking. Weather conditions can significantly impact ferry operations during this time of year, so it's advisable to build some flexibility into your itinerary and use the MarineTraffic app to track vessels in real-time.

For those planning to visit multiple islands, consider that some ferry routes operate only a few times per week. The Sal to Boavista crossing, for example, takes about 4 hours and costs approximately 25 euros but doesn't run daily. When booking, remember that ferries can be significantly cheaper than flights but take considerably longer and may be subject to cancellation if seas are rough. During January, it's particularly important to have a backup plan for each journey.

Local transport on each island

Once you've reached your desired island, various transport options await to help you explore the local attractions. The systems vary somewhat between islands, with the larger, more developed islands offering more choices than the smaller ones.

Taxis and collective minibuses (aluguer)

Across Cape Verde, the most common form of public transport is the 'aluguer' or 'hiace' – shared minibuses that follow set routes between towns and villages. These vehicles typically hold 10-15 passengers and operate on a flexible schedule, departing when full. Simply flag one down along its route, and tell the driver where you want to stop. In January, these services run regularly on all inhabited islands and offer an affordable way to travel, with fares averaging around 3 euros between towns.

Taxis are readily available in towns and cities across the islands, particularly in tourist areas. When using taxis, it's essential to agree on the fare before starting your journey, as meters are rarely used. In January, expect to pay a starting rate of around 1.5 euros, with prices potentially higher during this peak tourist season. For those staying in Sal or Boa Vista, many hotels offer shuttle services to popular beaches and attractions, which can be a convenient alternative to public transport.

Car hire considerations and road conditions

Renting a car provides the greatest flexibility for exploring the islands, particularly the larger ones like Santiago, Sal, and Boa Vista. Rental costs start from approximately 50 euros per day in January, and a valid international driving permit is required. Your foreign driver's license is valid for up to six months in Cape Verde.

Road conditions vary significantly across the islands. Main roads connecting major towns are generally well-maintained, but rural and mountain roads can be challenging, particularly after rainfall. For islands with rugged terrain like Santo Antão and Fogo, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended. In January, road conditions are typically good as this is during the dry season, though early morning fog can occasionally affect visibility in mountainous areas.

Planning your island-hopping adventure

Creating an effective island-hopping itinerary requires balancing transport availability with the attractions you wish to visit. January offers excellent weather conditions for exploring multiple islands, but requires careful planning due to the peak season demand.

Popular routes and travel times

The most straightforward island combination is São Vicente and Santo Antão, connected by frequent daily ferries. This pairing offers the vibrant culture of Mindelo on São Vicente and the dramatic hiking landscapes of Santo Antão. The journey between them takes under an hour, making it easy to base yourself in one location and visit the other as a day trip.

For beach enthusiasts, combining Sal and Boa Vista works well, though ferry connections are less frequent than the São Vicente-Santo Antão route. Flights between these islands take approximately 20 minutes, while the ferry journey is around 4 hours. In January, Sal and Boa Vista are particularly popular with European tourists seeking winter sun, so transport between them can fill up quickly.

The southern islands of Santiago, Fogo, and Brava form another logical grouping. Santiago hosts the capital city Praia and offers cultural attractions, while Fogo features the dramatic volcano and Brava offers pristine nature experiences. The Sotavento Line connects these islands three times weekly, with the Santiago to Fogo crossing taking approximately 3.5 hours and costing around 41 euros for foreigners.

Creating an efficient itinerary

When planning your January visit, consider starting and ending your journey on islands with international airports (Sal, Boa Vista, Santiago, or São Vicente) to minimize domestic travel costs. If time is limited, focus on island groups that are well-connected rather than attempting to cover the entire archipelago.

For a two-week itinerary, consider spending 3-4 days each on a selection of islands rather than rushing through all nine inhabited islands. This approach allows you to experience each destination more deeply while reducing transport costs and time. Remember that domestic flights, while more expensive than ferries (typically 50-90 euros one-way), can save significant time on longer routes and might be worth the extra cost during a limited January holiday.

Transport for Activities and Excursions

Cape Verde offers numerous activities that require specific transport considerations, from diving expeditions to hiking adventures. Planning how to reach these activities efficiently can enhance your January visit considerably.

Getting to Diving Spots in Sal and Boa Vista

Sal and Boa Vista are renowned for their excellent diving opportunities, with January offering good visibility and comfortable water temperatures. Most diving centers on these islands provide transport from major hotels to their facilities and then to the dive sites. If you're staying in Santa Maria (Sal) or Sal Rei (Boa Vista), many diving schools are within walking distance of central accommodations.

For those interested in exploring multiple dive sites, consider renting a scooter or quad bike, which are widely available on both islands for approximately 60-90 euros per day. These vehicles provide the flexibility to reach more remote beaches where some of the best diving spots are located. In January, the northeastern beaches of Sal offer particularly good conditions for both diving and snorkeling, with abundant marine life visible in the crystal-clear waters.

Transport Options for Hiking in Fogo and Santo Antão

The dramatic landscapes of Fogo and Santo Antão offer some of Cape Verde's best hiking experiences, and January's mild temperatures make this an ideal time for outdoor adventures. On Santo Antão, the most popular hiking routes begin in the Paúl Valley or near Ponta do Sol. Aluguers run regularly to these starting points from the ferry terminal at Porto Novo, costing around 3 euros per journey.

For Fogo's volcano hikes, transport from São Filipe to the caldera village of Chã das Caldeiras is essential. Regular aluguers make this journey, but for more flexibility, arranging a private taxi or joining an organized tour can be advantageous. Many guesthouses in Chã das Caldeiras can arrange guides and transport for volcano hikes. During January, early morning departures are recommended to avoid the stronger midday sun, even though temperatures are milder than in summer months.