Weather lowdown
April sees the start of the tourist season in Cape Verde while the climate stays at similar, comfortable levels as in previous months. Average daytime temperature still lingers around 23 degrees Celsius, allowing tourists to hop across islands and explore every islet in Cape Verde with ease. At midday, temperatures peak at highs that can climb up to 25 degrees; never too hot for comfort, while at night, temperature can drop down to 19 degrees Celsius (and only rarely lower).
Cape Verde enjoys 9 hours of daily sunshine in April. Cape Verde lies within the northeast trade wind belt. This means that prevailing north-eastern winds are getting stronger and stronger since February and until June.
In April, trade winds are strong while the easterly and hot "Hamattan" winds that come from Sahara are not particularly strong. On rare occasions, during April the Hamattan can pick up in strength and overpower the trade winds, resulting in relative draught and sometimes even dust storms over the Sotavento islands.
As long as the trade winds prevail, sea temperature stays around a comfortable 23 degrees Celsius, allowing water sports enthusiasts to try the numerous games the islands have to offer. Rain is virtually nonexistent during April, with only 1 mm of total precipitation expected across all islands as it rains only on 3 days of the whole month across the whole archipelago.
Dates for the diary
Every April (or early May on some occasions) Cape Verde celebrates the Catholic Easter. This is the largest religious celebration that takes place across all inhibited islands on Cape Verde's archipelago. Each day of the Easter week sees different celebrations culminating on Eastern Saturday night with a re-enactment of Jesus' resurrection taking place on all churches. Outdoors fiestas take place from Saturday night, lasting until Sunday morning.
Boa Vista is famous as the third most important nesting site for loggerhead turtles in the whole world. April is a great month to go turtle watching as thousands of turtles begin to arrive and come ashore to lay eggs. The local Turtle Foundation in Boa Vista aims to protect these creatures whilst educating locals and visitors by organising dedicated turtle tours for those wanting to see the creatures up close and learn more about them.
Things to do
Maio is the least visited of all the Cape Verde islands and is very traditional, with many Creole residents opposing the building of new resorts, so it's a great location for travellers wanting to see the 'real' Cape Verde as it is untouched by the tourism industry. Maio remains largely unspoilt and natural, so it is a fantastic spot for fishing and bird watching. The area of Figueira da Horta is particularly good for bird watching as it is home to many desert-dwelling species. For fishing, you can contact one of the numerous boats for hire to book an unforgettable fishing and boating trip around the island.
Also untouched by the tourism industry, the Creole city of Ribeira Brava on the island of Sao Nicolau has many photo opportunities with its colourful colonial architecture and public gardens, and the cobbled streets of the town square provide a particularly pleasant walk. The city is literally sandwiched between two mountains and gives off an eerie, exotic charm that mystifies tourists.
The Morabeza is an attractive local eatery in Santo Antao. Having recently garnered international recognition for its unique culinary fusion of Portuguese, African and Brazilian dishes, the Morabeza enjoys its fame without spoiling the authentic Cape Verdian atmosphere that has made it so unique.
As its name implies, the Le Bistro is a locally-themed bistro on the island of Fogo. Small and charming, the bistro is the ideal place for chilling out and socialising with locals and other laid back tourists alike.
Hit the beach
The beach at Cape Verde's capital Praia is a beautiful family friendly coast full of fun activities and a solid flag and lifeguard system to protect tourists from harm. The capital of such an island nation is bound to have every conceivable tourist amenity and indeed this is true about the Praia beach. Additionally, tourists can find lots of water sports opportunities across the long beach including surfing, kitesurfing, parasailing and more.
Fogo's Sao Filipe beach is perhaps the most ideal fishing spot on the whole volcanic island of Fogo. It is quiet and fish are plentiful here. Tourists can find half a dozen different fishing boat offers at Sao Fillipe that will take them to the best fishing spots across the beach.
Where to eat & drink
The Ponta do Sol disco is the most popular night club at Sao Antao. Attracting young crowds and seasoned partygoers alike, here is where all the night time action happens on the island. During high season, huge parties are held every weekend here.
The S´Rrenegra Disco in Ribeira Grande is another famous discothèque in Sao Antao. The music here is more pop and contemporary, featuring electronic sounds. Local and international DJs often visit the disco, bringing along outlandish playlists for the patrons to enjoy.
Where to stay
One of the few noteworthy choices of accommodation in Ribeira Brava, the Pensao Jardim is a beautiful, cosy pension that offers affordable rooms and a very warm atmosphere. More than a simple guest house, the Pensao Jardim wins the hearts of its patrons with its spacious rooms and very polite and helpful staff.
The Casa Verde is a beautiful and affordable all inclusive hotel on the island of Sao Vicente. Small for the standards of all inclusive hotels, the Casa Verde focuses on quality rather than quantity by offering personalised hotel services with a smile.
The Marina d'Tarrafal Guesthouse is a beautiful seaside hotel on the island of Santo Antao. Located in a beautiful bay overlooking the Atlantic and a scenic marina, the guest house attracts easygoing tourists and families that seek peace and quiet on the island of Santo Antao.
The Residencial Goa is a beautiful boutique hotel on Sao Vicente. Surrounded by two extinct volcanoes and just meters from the beach, this boutique offers ten rooms with beautiful patios overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.
The Residencial Ponta do Sol is a quiet and charming hotel in Santo Antao and perhaps the best hotel to explore the famous area of Ponta do Sol. The hotel is rather basic but decent, with clean spaces and very low prices.
