Essentials
- City
- Sal Rei, Boa Vista, Cape Verde
- Population
- Approximately 6,000
- Internet Speed
- 15-40 Mbps via fiber; 4G is reliable in town centers
- Currency & Banking
- Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE). 1 EUR ≈ 110 CVE fixed. 1 USD ≈ 101 CVE.
- Tap Water
- Not drinkable; desalinated water. Buy 5L jugs at local Mercearias (~180 CVE).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Alunitel or CVMóvel. ~1,000 CVE ($10) for 10GB data.
- Banking for Expats
- BCN (Banco Caboverdiano de Negócios) or BCA. Revolut works at ATMs (Vinti4 network).
- Accommodation
- Apartments in Praia de Cabral or near Estoril Beach. Prices $600-$1,200/month.
- Cashless Friendly
- Limited. Cash (CVE or EUR) is king. Larger hotels and restaurants accept Visa/Mastercard.
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like 'Boa Vista Houses' dominate the market.
- Budget Accommodation
- Migrante Guest House (~$45/night) or many local guesthouses near the main square.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Praia de Chaves (Resort area) or Praia de Estoril (Near town center).
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Praia de Cabral; quieter, residential, newer apartments with better infrastructure.
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated coworking hubs; 'The Office' (Local business center) offers basic desk rentals.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Caffè del Porto (Near the harbor) or Tortuga Beach Club (Good WiFi, beach view).
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at 'El Mirador' during sunset hours on Fridays.
- Social Events for Expats
- Boa Vista Digital Nomads Facebook group and weekly dinners at Blue Marlin.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- No apps. Use white 'Alugueres' (Shared vans) or yellow taxis (~200 CVE in town).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Boa Vista Moto (near Shell station). Scooters ~$30/day; Quads ~$80/day.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Praia de Chaves; expansive dunes and turquoise water, 10 min drive south.
- Top Regional Airline
- BestFly Cabo Verde (Inter-island connections).
- Top International Airline
- TAP Air Portugal (via Lisbon) or TUI Fly (Charter-based).
- Highway Access
- One main paved road circles the island; many inland tracks are sand/4x4 only.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC). No trains exist.
- Public Transport Passes
- None. Pay cash per ride in Alugueres (typically 50-100 CVE).
- Regional Travel
- Ferries to Sal or Santiago (CV Interilhas); flights are significantly faster but pricier.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Delegacia de Saúde de Boa Vista (Public clinic). For emergencies, medical evac to Sal or Praia.
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga by the Sea (held at Spinguera or various beach clubs).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Complexo Desportivo de Sal Rei (Public gym with basic weights).
- Laundry Services
- Lavandaria Central on Rua 5 de Julho (~500 CVE per load).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- None. Most restaurants offer direct WhatsApp delivery or takeaway.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Cachupa (Slow-cooked corn/bean stew with fish or meat).
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Naida Restaurant (Offers vegetable skewers and local salads).
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pasticceria Doce Vida (Authentic Italian pastries and gelato).
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal (Fresh fruit/fish) and Meu Super (Mini-market chains).
- E-commerce/Online Store
- None. Shipping to the island takes weeks via CTT Post.
- Grocery Delivery
- Direct arrangement with local grocers like 'Supermercado Boas Compras'.
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Avenida 4 de Julho (Seafront) and the main square (Praça de Santa Isabel).
- Local Brewery
- Strela (Cape Verdean national beer); no craft breweries on Boa Vista.
- Wine Bars
- Wakan Bar (Sunset spot with great selection of Portuguese wines).
- Street Food Stalls
- Grilled fish stalls near the port at night; Pastels (fried pastries) for ~30 CVE.
- Popular International Cuisine
- El Mirador (Italian/Mediterranean fusion with ocean views).
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Viana Desert (White sand dunes) and the Cabo Santa Maria Shipwreck.
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museu dos Naufrágos (Museum of shipwrecks and maritime history).
- Historical Sites
- Forte Duque de Bragança (Ruins on the islet 'Ilhéu de Sal Rei').
- Religious Sites
- Igreja de Santa Isabel (Bicentennial square-front church).
- Annual Events
- Santa Isabel Festival (July 4th) with horse racing and street parties.
- Cultural Districts
- The 'Bairro das Barracas' for authentic Morna music sessions.
- Theater Venues
- Small cultural performances at the Centro de Juventude.
- Local Markets
- Mercado Municipal near the pier; best visited daily at 8 AM for fresh catch.
- Music Scene
- Live Morna and Funaná music at Sodade di Nha Terra.
- Street Art
- Murals near Praia de Cabral depicting Cape Verdean 'Sodade'.
- Cooking Classes
- Cachupa workshops arranged via local guest houses like Migrante.
- Art Galleries
- Local handicraft shops sell 'Panu di Terra' (Traditional cloth).
- Historic Buildings
- Old colonial 'Sobrados' located primarily in the town center.
- Local Heritage
- Whale watching (February-May) is a core part of the island's natural heritage.
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Deserto de Viana; a surreal Saharan landscape inland.
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Natural do Norte (Protects the endemic biodiversity).
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Coastal trail from Sal Rei to Praia de Chaves (Sand-heavy).
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Monte Estância, the highest point on the island for 360-degree views.
- Birdwatching Locations
- Lagoa da Rabil, home to many endemic and migratory birds.
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Praia de Estoril (Inquire at local beach bars first).
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- CTT Post Office (Correios de Cabo Verde) on the main square.
- Tech Repair Services
- Small IT shops on Avenida 4 de Julho; very limited parts availability.
- Table Tennis Spots
- Local sports clubs near the stadium.
- Language Classes
- Local tutors for Portuguese or Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu).
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Municipal Library of Sal Rei (Quiet but very basic).
- Community Centers
- Centro Cultural de Sal Rei.
- Gaming Lounges
- Usually limited to small local 'PlayStation clubs' for local kids.
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Royal Decameron Casino (Located inside the resort area).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €64,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €44,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,450 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €87,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €950 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €57,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €1,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €104,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €850 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €68,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 22% standard rate.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 10%
- Tax System
- Territorial/Residence-based; residents taxed on worldwide income.
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 35%
- VAT
- 15%
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No formal CFC rules currently in place.
- Property Tax
- IUP (Municipal Property Tax) - approx. 1.5% of the property value annually.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 1.5% - 3% (Sisa tax).
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- The 'Remote Working Cabo Verde' visa offers 0% income tax for the duration of the 6-12 month visa.