Things to Do in Cape Verde in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
High Season · Book Early
December Weather in Cape Verde
Long-run averages for December in Praia
79°F (26°C)
High Temp
69°F (20°C)
Low Temp
0.1 inches (3 mm)
Rainfall
66%
Humidity
7
Sunny-Day UV
⚠ Powerful ocean currents and waves pound northern and eastern shores. Always check local flag warnings before you swim. Respect the sea.
Making the most of December in Cape Verde? Browse tours and activities in Cape Verde on GetYourGuide.
Is December Right for You?
Weigh the advantages and considerations before booking
Advantages
- + The Harmattan hasn't stirred yet. Air stays razor clear. From Monte Verde on São Vicente you scan the Barlavento group like postcards lined up for inspection. Every island shows crisp across the water.
- + Summer's warmth lingers in the Atlantic. It holds at 75°F (24°C). That feels balmy against cooler air. A swim off Sal or Boa Vista is pure pleasure, never a dare.
- + December sits between summer crush and dust-laden wind. Walk into Mindelo's Praça Nova seafood joints. Tables wait. No reservation needed.
- + Light drops low and turns gold. Long shadows slice across Santiago's ribeiras. Salt pans at Pedra de Lume flash metallic pink at sunset.
Considerations
- − This is peak European winter sun. From Christmas onward, flights and prime beachfront rooms on Sal and Boa Vista sell months ahead. Prices climb to top tier.
- − Morning calm can flip fast. Wind sharpens, on São Vicente and Santo Antão. Sand scuds across dunes by afternoon.
- − Off-season morna feels raw. December bars lean on tourist cover bands. Cesária Évora's heirs play less for locals now.
Short on time in December? See day trips around Cape Verde on GetYourGuide.
Best Activities in December
Top things to do during your visit
December brings Cape Verde its clearest season. The Atlantic cools to comfortable 79-degree highs, and the archipelago settles into what passes for winter here. Blue skies dominate. Fleeting showers bring a mere tenth of an inch of rain for the entire month. It is a season of notable clarity. The trade winds provide constant, refreshing counterpoint to the sun's intensity. From Santiago's verdant peaks to Boa Vista's ochre dunes, the landscape feels vividly defined. Locals move with familiar, unhurried cadence. The pace escapes seasonal tourism surges found elsewhere. This is the authentic tempo of island life. Compared to hotter, more humid months ahead, December has a crystalline window for exploration. Hiking trails and cobbled streets feel effortless under the benevolent sun. This period stands in sharp contrast to the latter half of the year. August and September can see over an inch of rain and higher humidity. December is reliably arid and mild. It shares the dry, sunny character of spring months but with slightly cooler evenings, often dipping to around 69 degrees. The month invites visitors to engage fully with varied environments across the islands, from Santiago's cultural heart to aquatic playgrounds off its western coasts.
From Praia: Discover Santiago Island in 1 Day
otherA full circuit of Santiago Island reveals the nation's soul in microcosm. The tour sweeps from austere, volcanic interior, where air carries scent of dry earth and acacia, to lush, green valleys of the north. It finally arrives at a northern beach where Atlantic surf pounds against dark sand. You will hear distinct rhythms of Kriolu speech in rural towns. You will see dramatic shifts in landscape that define Cape Verde.
It is the most efficient way to grasp profound geographical and cultural contrasts that make Santiago the historical and agricultural core of the archipelago.
Insider tip: Wear sturdy walking shoes with good grip. Terrain changes abruptly from dusty paths to rocky inclines, around Ribeira da Barca.
Santiago Island: Best of Praia & Cidade Velha Tour, a World Heritage Site
culturalThis focused excursion pairs modern capital Praia with haunting ruins of Cidade Velha, a UNESCO site where Cape Verde's story began. In Praia's Plateau district, you will feel cool shade of colonial-era buildings. You will hear bustle of Mercado de Sucupira, a maze of stalls selling everything from bolts of colorful fabric to dried fish. Then, in Cidade Velha, you will walk worn stones of Rua Banana. You will see stark remains of Forte Real de São Filipe overlooking the sea. You will touch weathered pillar of the Pelourinho, a somber relic of the transatlantic slave trade.
It directly connects lively present-day capital to poignant physical evidence of the islands' foundational and difficult history.
Insider tip: In Cidade Velha, small church Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário is often overlooked. Its simple, whitewashed interior offers quiet moment of reflection away from the main square.
Santiago Island Experience - Culture, Nature & Tarrafal Beach
guided_experienceThis tour weaves together essential threads of Santiago. The organic pulse of a local market, where smell of ripe mangoes and spices hangs thick in the air. The quiet power of a forest sanctuary. The ultimate reward of Tarrafal Beach. You will taste freshly caught grilled fish from a beachside hut. You will feel surprising contrast between cool, leafy microclimate of Serra Malagueta and warm, golden sand of the northern coast.
It well balances cultural immersion, natural discovery, and pure seaside relaxation in a single, cohesive journey.
Insider tip: Bring a towel and swimwear for Tarrafal. Water temperature in December is still inviting. The beach is often less crowded on weekdays.
Hiking: Monte Tchota Natural Park - Pico D'Antónia (1394m) - Longueira
adventureThe climb begins in moist air of Monte Tchota Natural Park, where you will hear chatter of rare birds like the Cape Verde warbler. It ascends through terraced fields smelling of rich soil before emerging onto rocky summit with commanding 360-degree views. From the peak, you can see patchwork of green valleys and distant sea. The vista lays the entire island's topography bare.
It is the definitive physical challenge on Santiago, offering outstanding panoramic rewards and close encounter with the island's fragile mountain ecology.
Insider tip: Start the hike at dawn. Cool December morning temperatures make the strenuous climb far more manageable. The morning light on the sea is exceptional.
Ribeira da Barca: Boat Trip to the Cave, Snorkeling and BBQ on the beach
adventureThis boat journey from fishing village Ribeira da Barca is an aquatic adventure along Santiago's dramatic western cliffs. You will hear roar of the ocean echoing inside vast sea cave. You will feel chill of deep water as you snorkel among schools of bright fish. You will finally smell smoke of beach barbecue on secluded stretch of sand. The contrast between powerful, cave-sculpting surf and calm, protected cove for swimming is striking.
It shows raw, maritime power of the Atlantic coast and provides access to vistas and swimming spots unreachable by land.
Insider tip: Sea conditions can be rougher in the afternoon. Opt for morning departure for generally calmer water, which improves both cave access and snorkeling visibility.
Where to Stay in Cape Verde in December
Hand-picked hotels across price tiers for December travellers.
Public Holidays in December
Dates that affect opening hours, transport and crowds
Natal
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Natal
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Natal
Known in English as Christmas Day. Observed nationwide as a public holiday.
Packing Checklist
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Climate-specific gear, brand recommendations, and what to leave at home.
View Cape Verde Packing List →Essential Tips
Insider knowledge and common pitfalls to avoid
Insider Knowledge
For December bargains into Cape Verde, fly into Sal (Amílcar Cabral International) then hop by domestic flight or ferry. Direct flights to Boa Vista or São Vicente cost more and sell out fast. Save cash.
Sal's airport 'lounge' is a loud, packed cafeteria. Facing a long layover? Grab a 15-minute taxi to Santa Maria town instead. Better than plastic chairs.
Don't settle for plain catchupa. Order Cachupa Rica (the meat-heavy version) or Cachupa Guisada (stewed). For breakfast, hunt down Cachupa Refogada: yesterday's pot refried and crowned with an egg. Locals swear by it.
Treat the inter-island ferry schedule as a polite rumor. Island-hopping? Pad one buffer day between your last ferry and your international flight. Fast ferries beat slow cargo boats for reliability. Plan slack.
Avoid These Mistakes
Booking only Sal or Boa Vista for a beach holiday and skipping Santiago or São Vicente is a miss. Cape Verde is no single-note destination. Go beyond sand.
Thinking December equals hot and packing only bikinis is a mistake. Evenings in the hills and on northern islands demand a layer you never imagined in Africa. Bring a hoodie.
Cramming too many islands into one trip backfires. Inter-island travel eats hours. Choose two, maybe three islands max for a 10-14 day stay and live them. Less is more.
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