Essentials
- City
- Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde
- Population
- Approximately 20,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-40 Mbps (Fiber available in Sal Rei via CV Telecom/Unitel T+)
- Currency & Banking
- Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE). 1 EUR ≈ 110 CVE. Fixed exchange rate to Euro.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable. Desalinated water; use bottled water (approx. 90 CVE for 1.5L).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F (European standard)
- SIM Card
- CV Móvel or Unitel T+. Buy at Sal Rei main square, ~500 CVE for setup.
- Banking for Expats
- BCN (Banco Caboverdiano de Negócios) or BCA. Revolut works at Vinti4 ATMs.
- Accommodation
- Apartments in Sal Rei or villas in Praia de Chaves. Airbnb and local agencies like
- Cashless Friendly
- No, heavily cash-reliant. Cards only in large hotels and some restaurants.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and Ca' Nicola (Aparthotel starting at €70/night).
- Budget Accommodation
- Migrante Guesthouse (Sal Rei) - approx. €45 per night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Praia de Chaves (All-inclusive resorts) or Sal Rei (Town feel).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sal Rei (proximity to cafes/shops) or Santa Maria (newer developments).
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking hubs yet; most use 'The Office' (business center at Hotel RIU).
- Best Cafe for Work
- Caffè del Porto (Sal Rei) - beachfront with decent Wi-Fi and power outlets.
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at 'Tortuga Beach Club' on Friday nights.
- Social Events for Expats
- Digital Nomads Cabo Verde Facebook Group and local kite-surfing schools.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Taxis are local. Sal Rei to Airport: ~700-1000 CVE.
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Boa Vista Moto (Sal Rei) - Scooters for ~€30/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Praia de Santa Monica (often cited as one of Africa's best beaches).
- Top Regional Airline
- BestFly Cabo Verde (Inter-island travel).
- Top International Airline
- TUI Fly, TAP Air Portugal, Neos Air.
- Highway Access
- Main paved road connects Sal Rei to the Airport and Rabil.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- None (No trains). Main Aluguer (shared van) stop in Sal Rei center.
- Public Transport Passes
- No passes. Alugueres cost 50-150 CVE per trip.
- Regional Travel
- Ferries (CV Interilhas) to Sal or Santiago from Porto de Sal Rei.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centro de Saúde de Sal Rei (Basic care). Serious cases require evacuation to Sal or Praia.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Spinguera Eco-Lodge (Remote retreats) or Bahia Beach Club yoga sessions.
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Fitness Center Boa Vista (Sal Rei) - local gym with basic weights.
- Laundry Services
- Lavandaria Sal Rei (Near the main square) - approx. 600 CVE per load.
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Contact restaurants directly via WhatsApp for delivery.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Catchupa (Slow-cooked corn, beans, and fish/meat).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Naida (Sal Rei) - offers vegetable couscous and fresh salads.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria d'Abruzzo - Artisanal gelato in Sal Rei square.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal (Sal Rei) for fresh produce and fish.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Very limited locally. Most use freight forwarders from Portugal.
- Grocery Delivery
- None. Visit 'Meio Dia' supermarket in Sal Rei.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Sal Rei Beachfront (Bahia, Morabeza) and Blue Marlin.
- Local Brewery
- Strela (Cape Verdean national beer) - available everywhere.
- Wine Bars
- Wakan Bar - excellent sunset wine and cocktails on the beach.
- Street Food Stalls
- Grilled fish stalls near the pier (Porto de Sal Rei) - ~500 CVE.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Pizzeria Blu (Italian) - widely regarded as the best pizza on the island.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Shipwreck of Cabo Santa Maria on the northern coast.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museu dos Naufrágos (Shipwreck Museum) in Sal Rei.
- Historical Sites
- Forte Duque de Bragança (Ruins on Ilhéu de Sal Rei).
- Religious Sites
- Igreja de Santa Isabel (The iconic blue and white church in Sal Rei).
- Annual Events
- Santa Isabel Festival (July 4th) - massive street party/procession.
- Cultural Districts
- The village of Rabil (known for traditional pottery).
- Theater Venues
- No formal theater; cultural performances at large hotels.
- Local Markets
- Mercado de Peixe (Fish Market) early morning at the pier.
- Music Scene
- Live Morna and Coladeira music at 'Esplanada Silves' on weekends.
- Street Art
- Colorful murals around the Sal Rei town square depicting local life.
- Cooking Classes
- Usually organized on-request at local guesthouses like Migrante.
- Art Galleries
- Centro de Artesanato in Rabil (Pottery and crafts).
- Historic Buildings
- The Old Customs House on the Sal Rei waterfront.
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Pottery in Rabil which uses local red clay.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Viana Desert (White sand dunes in the interior).
- National Parks Nearby
- Tartaruga Nature Reserve (Critical nesting site for Loggerhead turtles).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal path from Sal Rei to Praia de Chaves (8km walk).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Morro Negro Lighthouse (Easternmost point of Cape Verde).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Ribeira do Rabil (Lagoon area for migratory birds).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Praia de Chaves (organized by beach bars only; permits required).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correios de Cabo Verde (Post office in Sal Rei).
- Tech Repair Services
- Small repair shops in Sal Rei (highly informal; look for 'Reparação Telemóvel').
- Table Tennis Spots
- None public; available in all-inclusive resorts like Iberostar.
- Language Classes
- Private tutors for Portuguese or Kriolu found via local Facebook groups.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Public Library Sal Rei (minimal facilities).
- Community Centers
- Centro de Juventude (Youth Center) in Sal Rei.
- Gaming Lounges
- None.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino Royal (located on Sal island; none on Boa Vista).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €44,000 in Sal Rei).
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €850 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €34,000 in rural Rabil).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €60,000).
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €45,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €950 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €76,000).
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €56,000).
- Corporate Tax
- 22% standard rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10% for residents and non-residents.
- Tax System
- Residence-based taxation; Remote Work Visa offers potential exemptions.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35% (Above 2,500,000 CVE annually).
- VAT
- 15% standard rate.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No specific CFC rules currently in place.
- Property Tax
- IUP (Municipal Property Tax) - approx. 1.5% of asset value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- Sisa Tax - approx. 3% of the purchase price.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Cabo Verde Remote Working Program offers a 0% income tax for visa holders.