Explore Cape Verde like a local

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 (on Santo Antão, an engine for the climbs; on Sal, a city car is enough), 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, the deposit, 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.