Transportation in Cape Verde

Getting Around Cape Verde Cape Verde's greatest transportation reality is that it's an archipelago — getting between islands means either flying or taking a ferry, and this shapes every travel plan. Inter-island flights are the fastest option, with several regional carriers connecting the main islands of Santiago, Sal, Boa Vista, and São Vicente. Ferries are the budget alternative for the closer island clusters, though crossing times vary considerably and seas can be rough; they suit island-hoppers who aren't in a hurry. On each island, the workhorse of local transport is the aluguer — a shared minibus or pickup truck that runs fixed routes between towns. Aluguers are economy-priced and genuinely how locals get around, but they run on island time and depart when full rather than on a fixed schedule. Taxis are plentiful on the main tourist islands, but most are unmetered. Agree on a fare before you get in — this is standard practice, not a negotiation battle. On Sal and Boa Vista, the resorts and tourist zones are compact enough that taxis are practical for day trips, but renting a car unlocks the interior of larger islands like Santiago. On arrival, taxis wait outside all major international airports; the transfer to the nearest town or resort is straightforward, and your accommodation can typically advise on a fair going rate to quote the driver. First-timer tip: Don't assume transport patterns from one island carry over to another. Sal's Santa Maria strip is walkable and tourist-facing; Praia on Santiago has a functioning urban bus network alongside aluguers; São Vicente's Mindelo is compact enough for walking. Research your specific island rather than treating Cape Verde as a uniform destination — the infrastructure gap between the tourist-built islands and the less-visited ones is significant.