When to Visit Cape Verde

Pleasant 24°C (76°F) days give way to 19°C (66°F) nights - jeans-and-T-shirt weather. Rain is practically unheard of, and the New Year crowd has thinned, leaving beaches relaxed rather than rammed.

Still dry, still 25°C (77°F) by day. Carnival preparations in Mindelo start spicing things up. But overall visitor numbers stay medium - ideal if you like a bit of buzz without the rush.

The archipelago enters its dri-dry spell: zero rainfall and 26°C (78°F) afternoons. Winds pick up a notch, attracting kite-surfers to the south coast of Sal. Yet accommodation remains reasonably priced.

Another zero-rain month at 26°C (78°F). Easter brings a short spike in European package tours. But outside the resort strips you'll have empty trails and quiet fishing villages.

Temperature edges up to 26°C (79°F). The sea is now bathtub-warm, and pre-summer deals are easy to snag. Expect medium crowds - mostly couples squeezing in a getaway before European school holidays.

Still bone-dry with 27°C (81°F) highs. The wind softens slightly, making catamaran trips to the cays off Boa Vista wonderfully smooth. Tourist numbers start climbing toward high season.

A token 5 mm of rain might fall, but you'll barely notice it. Daytime peaks at 28°C (82°F) and nights stay a balmy 22°C (72°F). Prices begin their steep ascent as European families arrive.

The wettest month - 30 mm over a handful of quick, dramatic bursts - but still 29°C (84°F) by day. Humidity feels heavier, and mosquitoes appear in the greener valleys. Crowds are high, so book early.

Rain eases to 20 mm, lingering around 29°C (85°F). The ocean is at its warmest, good for long snorkel sessions off Santa Maria, though occasional clouds can interrupt sunbathing.

A gentle 29°C (85°F) and only 7 mm of rain. The wind swings round, giving surfers bigger swells on Sal's east coast. Visitor numbers drop sharply after the first week, making this a sweet spot for spontaneous trips.

Back to near-zero rainfall and 28°C (82°F). The air feels fresh again, and you'll see Cape Verde hotels offering shoulder-season rates. Cultural events ramp up ahead of Christmas.

A comfortable 26°C (79°F) dayside and 21°C (69°F) at night. European holidaymakers increase in for Christmas week, so expect high crowds and elevated prices from mid-month onward.