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Chose what works best for you, from either our powerful Questions & Answers section or by phone or email. (We endeavour to answer emails in real time during normal office hours)
We've put together a list of answers to questions we are often asked by our customers before travelling:
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Q. When do I found out what time my inter island flights are?
Inter island flight times are sent to you with our confirmation invoice which is sent within 24 hours of booking. Even though times have been confirmed they may still change as TACV can amend their schedules without much notice.
Q. What are the local restaurants like?
This does depend very much on the island. In Santa Maria on Sal and Mindelo on São Vicente there are some very good restaurants in and outside the hotels. A selection of Creole, Portuguese, international and seafood will generally be on the menu, however service can generally be a little slow. On other islands such as Boa Vista and Santo Antão, there are only a few restaurants with no specific menu and sometimes only the special of the day is available.
Q. Is it safe to go out at night?
The crime rate in Cape Verde is low although it has increased slightly in the last year. As in all destinations, especially in the larger towns, we advise you to exercise caution and not show valuables or large amounts of cash.
Q. What is the currency and where can I get some?
The currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo or CV Esc which can only be obtained in the islands. Euros are widely accepted throughout the islands but be careful as credit cards are not.
Please be aware the charges for changing travellers cheques can be quite high.
Q. What clothing should I take?
Most hotels and restaurants are fairly informal although some prefer gentlemen to wear long trousers for dinner in the evenings. If it is windy in the evening it can feel quite cool, so taking a sweater or a wrap with you is advisable.
Q. What's the weather like?
The temperature does not vary much year round and stays between the mid and late twenties. There can be strong winds so humidity is low however severe asthma sufferers should not travel between February and April due to dust in the air from the Harmattan winds.
Q. Can I take day trips to other Islands?
We have day trips from Sal to Santiago, Boa Vista, Fogo and São Vicente. You can speak to your representatives in resort about what is available.
You can aslo register any interest for a particular day trip with us but unfortunately this doesn't guarantee you a place due to limited numbers available, however it does give you a higher priority for places.
Q. How much building work is happening?
This really depends on which island(s) you are traveling to, and when, as some islands have very little building work and on others there is a fair amount.
Our reservations team have details of any current work going on and we will always try to advise you of anything that we know before you travel.
Q. Do you have to take Malaria tablets?
No, there is no malaria present in Cape Verde with the exception of Santiago during September to November. If you are visiting Santiago during these months please speak with your GP for the latest individual advice.
Q. Can I use my mobile phone?
UK mobile phones do work in Cape Verde (except pay as you go) however calls can be expensive. A cheaper option is to buy a pre-paid SIM card for your phone on arrival in Cape Verde and be given a local number.
Q. Room check-in and out times?
Times do vary but as a general rule hotel rooms are available from 3pm on arrival, with you being asked to vacate your room by Midday on the day of departure.
Q. What does the price include?
All prices shown on this site for package bookings include:
Q. How do I apply for a Visa?
When you receive your booking confirmation please telephone our administration department on 0845 330 2068 to give us the information required to obtain your visa(s). You will need to have all passenger's passports to hand.
This should be done as soon as your booking confirmation has been received and certainly no later than 7 days before departure. After this time we may not be able to obtain your visa before departure from the UK.
You can apply for a visa on arrival in Sal however this will delay you and you will be asked to pay directly to the authorities a non-refundable fee of around 25 Euro per person.
Q. Do I need a visa to visit the Cape Verde Islands?
A full British 10 year passport is required for entry into Cape Verde, valid for at least 6 months after your date of arrival back in the UK. All British Nationals require a visa to enter Cape Verde issued on arrival in Sal. Organising your visa is included in your holiday price providing that we receive the appropriate information no later than 7 days prior to departure. For late bookings made within 7 days of departure our administration staff will try to pre order your visa however if unsuccessful this can also be purchased on arrival and the cost refunded by our representative.
Q. Where can I get extra safety information about the Cape Verde?
We are working with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to do all we can to help British travellers stay safe overseas. Their website at: www.fco.gov.uk/knowbeforeyougo is packed with essential tips, travel advice and up-to-date country specific information.
Q. Are there hotels at the UK Airport?
We can offer a range of hotels with or without parking to suite all budgets located at or near your departure airport with prices from £24.50 per person.
Q. Can I leave my car at the Airport?
Conveniently located car parks are available at all airports, which offer a free 24-hour transfer service to and from the airport terminal. Further details will be sent with your holiday documentation.
Q. Will I need Medication?
Vaccinations are not required to visit the Islands. Please, as always, discuss any individual concerns you may have with your GP.
Q. What are the Transfer times like?
As the Islands are small therefore generally speaking the transfer time from the airport to your hotel will on average take around 20 minutes depending on how many hotels need to be visited.
Q. Are children welcome on the islands?
Children are welcome everywhere as the Cape Verdeans love and take excellent care of their young ones. They will love playing on the beaches and some of the hotels have small play areas and sections of the pool for children (mostly unsupervised). There are few organised activities for children.
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For general enquiries, calling from outside the UK and sales information:
+44 1489 866969 (OVERSEAS)
OPENING HOURS
Mon - Thurs: 9am-6pm Fri: 9am-5.30pm Sat: 9am-5pm Sun: Closed
All calls are answered live within 8 seconds (2009 avg)
+44 1489 866970 (OVERSEAS)
Mon - Thurs: 9am-5.30pm Fri: 9am-5pm Sat/Sun: Closed
Our expert sales team is on hand to help you with any type of enquiry.
Claire - Team Leader
Likes - Hotel Morabeza
Claire has been out to the islands a few times over the last couple of years and the best part of the trips for her are when she gets over to Mindelo on Sao Vicente. It has really vibrant live music scene and she loves to sit in a bar in the evening after a day sightseeing listening to a local Brazilian influenced bands play.
Nina
Likes - the great beaches
Nina would stay at the Crioula hotel in Sal if holidaying with her teenage kids, due to the variety of food & the good English spoken, or the Hotel Morabeza if it were a romantic break.
Mandy
Mandy thought the variety & differences that each island presented was perfect for people looking to tour or have an 'island hopping' experience.
Lydia
Lydia was very excited about visiting Cape Verde as it's such a diverse and still very new destination to the travel market. She was amazed at how different the islands were from one another & would have preferred a longer stay on Boa Vista - the beach was the longest and widest she had ever seen, truly beautiful!
Ingrid
Likes - Boa Vista
Boa Vista was Ingrid's favourite island as it's not very commercialised and the beaches were some of the best she had ever seen.
Lynda
Likes - the beach in Sal
Lynda loved the beach in Sal; when she's feeling energetic there's always something to do with all of the water sports on offer, from Kite Surfing to Diving.
Email your enquiry to a member of our sales team:
Sales enquiry emails are answered in real time during normal office hours.
A member of your expert reservations team will endeavour to call you back within 15 minutes during normal office hours (unless a preferred time is selected)
For specific business enquiries:
Press: Jenny Adams 0845 330 2077 press@capeverdeexperience.co.uk
Customer Relations: Sarah Taylor +44 (0)1489 866951 customerrelations@capeverdeexperience.co.uk
Recruitment: Elaine Mayston +44 (0)1489 866925 careers@capeverdeexperience.co.uk
Travel Agents: Jason Dicks 0845 330 2066 trademarketing@serenityholidays.co.uk
Website Links: Matt Smith +44 (0)1489 866942 links@capeverdeexperience.co.uk
Affiliates: Matt Smith +44 (0)1489 866942 affiliates@capeverdeexperience.co.uk
Reservations: 0845 330 2047 / +44 1489 866969 Email reservations »
Administration 0845 330 2068 / +44 1489 866970 Email administration »
Fax: 0845 330 2045 / +44 1489 866917
The Cape Verde Experience Serenity Holidays Ltd Cutter House 1560 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Fareham, Hampshire, UK, PO15 7AG
The Cape Verde Experience Resort Office Barracuda Tours Edificio Barracuda Zona Praia 33 Santa Maria, Ilha do sal Cabo Verde
Office Hours Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 9am - 12noon Sunday Closed Office Tel: 00 238 2421333
By Road Solent Business Park, Whiteley - M27:J9 Portsmouth - 12 miles Southampton - 10 miles Fareham - 5 miles
By Air Southampton Airport 7 miles away with daily flights across Europe.
By Rail: Waterloo to Swanwick - 143 mins Waterloo to Soton Central - 69 mins Soton Central to Swanwick - 20 mins
By Sea: Passenger service from Portsmouth to Cean, Cherbourg, St Malo and Le Havre.
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