Weather lowdown
October is the second rainiest month of the year in Cape Verde (tied with August) and while the climate is still comparable to that of summer months, October also marks the end of the high tourist season. During October, average daytime temperature stays at the typical 27 degree mark, with daytime highs peaking at 28 degrees Celsius. Night time sees temperatures slightly falling down to 23 degrees while sea temperature is maintained at a comfy 27 degrees, just like previous months.
October is also the month when the north-eastern trade winds dwindle down to the point that are no longer felt on the skin. A relatively windless month, October sees mostly western and south-western winds from Africa when it's not raining.
The total precipitation for the month of October amounts to a respectable 53 mm and rain is expected on 4 days of the month across the archipelago. These rains often come in the form of torrential tropical storms that last only briefly but render everything in sight soaking wet. Cape Verde enjoys 7 hours of daily sunshine in October.
Dates for the diary
The Cabo Verde International Film Festival takes place each October on the island of Sal. The festival lasts for three days (typically over a weekend) and features local and international films, movies and documentaries for locals and tourists to enjoy. The tickets are very cheap and lots of street food vendors arrive at the premises, selling traditional fast food to hungry movie lovers.
During October, local music groups organise large beach parties on Santa Maria's beaches. These parties are done to promote the local music scenes of Morna, Funana, Batuque and Coladeira folk music styles, as well as the newly popularised Zouk music.
Things to do
Sao Nicolau is great for hikers as Monte Gordo, Cape Verde's highest peak at 1,304 metres, is located on the island. The views from the top are spectacular and visitors are rewarded for the climb with a unique vantage point over the volcanic craters below. There are numerous hiking opportunities for tourists, all of them reasonably priced and very attractive.
The Hug Bucket Fish Spa at Santa Maria is Cape Verde's first and most famous fish spa. Operating since long before fish spa became an international sensation, the hug bucket offers the highest quality of fish spa treatments for women who seek to look their best and weary tourists who want to keep their feet clean.
Hit the beach
The beach at Vila do Maio is a popular beach for surfing and windsurfing thanks to the ideal Africa-borne winds that blow for the best part of the year there. Parasailing is also very popular here, with two and three-person parasails on offer for hire. The beach itself is very clean and boasts a great lifeguard system.
For a quieter beach in Maio, the Morro beach is a naturist friendly, secluded beach away from most prying eyes. While not the most family-friendly beach, the Morro requires a fair bit of travelling to reach but the view and tranquillity are totally worth the trip there. A few tourists opt to camp out on this beach.
Where to eat & drink
The Restaurante Chandinho is a high-class European themed restaurant in Boa Vista. Ideal for fine dining and those special occasions, the Chandinho serves the finest quality food in a luxurious setting. The prices are fair, given the quality of the food that makes this one of the highest rated restaurants on the island.
The Chez Pastis is a popular restaurant in Maio that specialises in local dishes. Local seafood dishes, exquisite Brazilian meat, vegetarian and gluten-free dishes and other delicacies have earned the Chez Pastis numerous awards and cemented its place as perhaps the best restaurant on the island of Maio.
The Bailey's Cafe Bar in Santa Maria is a family friendly live music bar that frequently plays Morna music, including the hits from the barefoot queen. Casual and hospitable, Bailey's welcomes local talent for live performances and entertains its guests with games, events and cheap (but delicious) bites.
The Disco Pirata is one of the most popular discos in Sal. Pirate-themed and over the top, the disco plays all the hot hits from the past decades, attracting audiences of various ages. The atmosphere is funky and the dressing code encompasses everything from local casual wear to glitzy disco attires.
Where to stay
The Demeure Criola is a quaint guest house located just outside the nation's capital of Praia. This newly-renovated hotel offers self-catering apartments and guest rooms at competitive prices. The communal areas as well as the rooms themselves are brightly painted and exceptionally clean.
The Hotel Melia Tortuga is a large all inclusive resort on the tourist island of Sal. The hotel sports several spacious apartments, rooms and suites that are all located at walking distance from Santa Maria's famous beach. Across the beach, diving enthusiasts can find one of the island's most popular coral reefs, teeming with marine life.
The Praiano ApartHotel offers affordable self catering accommodation in Cape Verde's capital city of Praia. Ideal for families who wish to stay in Cape Verde's capital for long periods of time without breaking the bank, the Praiano is a great hotel for island hoppers and laid back loungers alike.
The Crioula Clubhotel & Resort is an impressive hotel that boasts a fully equipped spa. Located in Sal's Santa Maria, the Crioula is one of the best hotels to get pampered while visiting the popular tourist hotspots on the island of Sal. The hotel's facilities include massage parlours, several Jacuzzis, hammams, aromatherapy rooms and many more.
The Praia Village Hotel offers affordable and stylish self catering accommodation in the centre of Praia. A great hotel to be if you wish to explore Praia with no rush (and without spending a fortune) the Praia Village Hotel welcomes mostly couples and families from Europe and the UK.
