Cape Verde
Correspondence generally is in English, French, or Portuguese. Cape Verde has strong business links with Portugal. Government, banking and industry hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Commercial hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM and Saturday 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.
Though not a common occurrence, violent crime is on the rise, notably in Praia and tourism hubs such as Mindelo, Boa Vista and Sal. Armed robbery, car break-ins and assault are growing more frequent, especially after dark, and the local police force is ill-equipped to combat this trend. Avoid the more remote beaches, and do not walk alone. Thieves target cellphones and cameras. Keep copies of identity documents and plane tickets in a secure place. Crime spikes toward the end of the year, as the holiday season approaches.
Accommodations are available on all the islands. There are good hotels on major urban centers. However, bookings should be guaranteed, either directly or through a travel agency, before departing. Room rates range from CVE 3000 to 7000. There are international hotels on Sal island and a tourist complex at Praia that offer reasonable security, otherwise there are small hotels at Mindelo and on Ilha Do Sal (Sal), Fogo and Praia.
Telephone IDD service is available to main cities, but may not be available elsewhere. The country code is 238. Improvements to rural areas are in progress and the islands have over 12,000 telephones. Some calls to and from Cape Verde must still go through the international operator.
Electricity is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
220 volts AC, 50Hz.
C,F
There is an increasing number of restaurants and cafes on the islands.National specialties:
• Pastel com diablo dentro ('pastry with the devil inside') - a mix of tuna, onions, tomatoes and pastry, made from boiled potatoes and corn flour.
• Cachupa, a mess of maize and beans.
• Fruits include mangoes, bananas, papayas, goiabas (guavas), zimbrão, tambarinas, marmelos, azedinhas, tamaras and cocos. National drinks:
• Aguardiente (sugar cane rum).
• A San Antao
liquor made from coffee, cinnamon, fig leaf, peppermint, orange or lime.
• Manecome (local wine from Fogo).Tipping
: It is normal to give 10 per cent for good service.Nightlife
Some hotels provide evening entertainment. Small villages will have a lively taverna. Most nightlife is on the main islands: there are 21 nightclubs in Cape Verde – eight on Santiago, seven on Sal, five on São Vicente and one on Fogo. Praia has a cultural center at which local Cape Verdean artists and instrumentalists perform.
