
Top 5 Itineraries in Santiago Island
Santiago, the largest and most diverse island of Cape Verde, offers a wealth of experiences that can only be truly discovered with a car....
Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten islands, each with its own personality. Renting a car stops being a luxury and becomes almost essential if you want to discover Sal's secret beaches, Fogo's volcanic trails, or Santo Antão's hidden valleys. Here we gather practical guides, driving tips, and itineraries tested by people who've actually made the trip.
The difference between a smooth trip and one full of headaches comes down to small details — knowing which type of car to pick for each island (4x4 mandatory in Santo Antão, a city car works for Sal), understanding local traffic rules, or knowing where the petrol stations are before heading down a dirt road in the interior of Boa Vista.
The articles below cover everything from the essentials — required documents, included insurance, how airport pickup works — to full 3, 5 and 7-day itineraries tailored to each island. Filter by category or use the search to find exactly what you need.

Santiago, the largest and most diverse island of Cape Verde, offers a wealth of experiences that can only be truly discovered with a car....

Planning to rent a car in Cape Verde? This practical guide answers all your questions about the rental process, documentation, insurance, an...

Sal Island is famous for its beaches, but the best ones are far from tourist areas. With a car, you can discover paradisiacal spots that few...

Fogo Island is unique in Cape Verde. Dominated by the imposing Pico do Fogo volcano (2829m), it offers landscapes that look like they're fro...

Santo Antão is paradise for trekking and nature lovers. Deep valleys, imposing mountains, and surprising vegetation make this island a must-...
Short answers to the most common questions before booking.
No. EU citizens can use their national licence. Non-EU citizens need an international driving permit. In either case, the licence must have been issued at least one year ago.
The legal minimum age to rent a car in Cape Verde is 18, with a valid driving licence. Some operators may require a higher age or more licence history for specific categories; when that applies, it is shown before booking.
Online, almost always. Airport-counter prices are significantly higher, and during peak season (July–September, Christmas) you risk arriving to find no cars available. Booking online ahead guarantees the best price and availability.
Sal and Boa Vista work fine with a city car, though a 4x4 helps for reaching more isolated beaches. Santiago and São Vicente have good roads for any car. Santo Antão, Fogo, and parts of Brava require a 4x4 due to dirt roads and steep gradients.