Where to stay
Where to stay in Cape Verde without a car
Short answer
Stay where the transport starts. In Praia, near Plateau, where nearly all city buses run. In Mindelo, for the Santo Antão ferry and an airport 5 km away. On Sal, in Santa Maria by the beach; on Boa Vista, in Sal Rei. On Santo Antão, Porto Novo is where every ferry arrives.
Praia, Santiago
Nearly all of Sol Atlântico’s city lines run through Plateau, so a base there or near a line keeps the buses useful. The airport is about 3 km northeast of the city, the tourism board says. Aluguers for Assomada, Tarrafal and Cidade Velha leave from the Sucupira market area.
Sources: Sol AtlânticoReal-time bus map and line listTurismo de Cabo VerdeFlights and airportsGoverno de Cabo VerdeNational transport services portal
Mindelo, São Vicente
Mindelo is the port for Santo Antão — 40 minutes to Porto Novo — and the airport is about 5 km away. The tourism board says the island’s buses run day and night routes and that taxi apps work in the city, which makes it the easiest car-free base in the north.
Sources: Turismo de Cabo VerdeFlights and airportsCV InterIlhasRoutes, schedules and crossing timesTurismo de Cabo VerdeGetting around each island by land
Santa Maria, Sal
Santa Maria sits on an 8 km beach at the island’s south; Espargos and the airport are at the other end. With no bus between them listed in any source we checked, staying in Santa Maria means the beach, the pier and the market are on foot, and the airport is a taxi or a transfer away.
Sources: Turismo de Cabo VerdeSal islandFlights and airports
Sal Rei, Boa Vista
On Boa Vista the tourism board says the main transport is taxis and local guides with their own cars. Sal Rei is the town, and the ferry to Sal leaves from Boa Vista on the Redonda line — not every day.
Sources: Turismo de Cabo VerdeBoa Vista islandCV InterIlhasRoutes, schedules and crossing times
Santo Antão, Fogo and the small islands
On Santo Antão every visitor arrives at Porto Novo, and aluguers wait at the pier for the boat. On Fogo, São Filipe is the ferry and airport town, and the crater village of Chã das Caldeiras is best as an overnight rather than a day trip. Brava, Maio and São Nicolau depend on ferries published date by date: book your bed after you know your boat.
Sources: CV InterIlhasRoutes, schedules and crossing timesENAPORPorts of Cabo VerdeGoverno de Cabo VerdeNational transport services portal
Questions travellers ask
What is the best base for island hopping in Cape Verde?
Mindelo for Santo Antão, Praia for Maio, Fogo and Brava, and Sal for Boa Vista — but only Mindelo–Porto Novo is a short hop. Fix the ferry dates first, then book beds.
Sources: CV InterIlhasRoutes, schedules and crossing times
Do I need a car on Boa Vista?
Not to stay in Sal Rei. The tourism board says the island’s main transport is taxis and local guides with their own cars; tours cover the interior.
Sources: Turismo de Cabo VerdeBoa Vista island