Budget/Backpacker Travel Guide: Cape Verde

Accommodation

$10-25 per night

Shared dormitories in hostels, basic guesthouses, budget pensions, or casa particulares with shared facilities

Food & Dining

$8-20 per day

Local cachupa stalls, street food vendors, neighborhood markets, self-catering with groceries from local shops

Transportation

$3-10 per day

Public aluguers (shared minivans), local buses, walking between nearby attractions

Activities

$5-15 per day

Beach time, hiking trails, local markets, free cultural sites, occasional museum entry

Eat at local neighborhoods rather than tourist zones - typically 40-60% cheaper for authentic cachupa and fresh seafood

Use aluguers (shared minivans) instead of private taxis - usually 70-80% savings on transportation costs

Visit during shoulder season (April-June, September-October) for 20-35% lower accommodation rates

Book inter-island flights well in advance rather than last-minute for 30-50% savings

Stay in casa particulares or local guesthouses instead of international hotel chains - generally 40-60% less expensive

Buy groceries at local markets and prepare some meals yourself - can reduce food costs by 50-70%

Join group tours rather than private excursions - typically 60-80% cheaper per person for activities

Relying solely on taxis for transportation instead of learning the aluguer system - costs 3-5 times more

Eating exclusively at resort restaurants or tourist-area establishments - typically 100-200% markup over local spots

Booking last-minute accommodation during peak season (December-March) - can cost 50-100% more than advance bookings

Not researching free activities like hiking trails and public beaches - missing out on Cape Verde's best natural attractions