Cape Verde is probably a place you haven’t heard of recently or a place you are familiar with. Hidden in the mid-Atlantic, Cape Verde has a 10-strong cluster of islands that are as beautiful as they are mysterious largely because it was caused by a volcanic eruption. Every travel-holic or travel enthusiast looking for that hidden gem should worry no longer cause we have just the place for you. As for those doubting Thomases coming up with a thousand and one reasons why you shouldn’t go, here a few reasons why you should.

Visa Free for Nigerians

Cape Verde tourist visa is not required for citizens of Nigeria for a stay up to 90 days. For Nigeria Citizen If you are traveling on a Nigerian passport, you will not need a visa to enter Cape Verde. All visitors to Cape Verde must have a passport and a valid return ticket to be allowed entry there. This completely removes the stress of visa applications and such, all you need is your passport and ticket and off to Cape Verde, you go!

Cape Verde Weather

Cape Verdean weather, which rarely shifts from the upper 20°C at any time of year is a reward to travelers that are particular about the weather. The nearest it comes to a vast swing in temperature is the five-degree gap between the January average of 25°C and the 30°C that defines September. Although between August and September you may experience a downpour or two, it shouldn’t affect your holiday all that much, as the rain doesn’t hang around for long. It also tends to leave glorious blue skies behind, perfect to quickly resume your all-important sunbathing.

Mouth-Watering Delicacies

As we mentioned, being in the middle of the Atlantic has its advantages, and that includes all of the excellent seafood. Some of the specialties in the area include extremely fresh tuna and lobster (they’re right offshore). The restaurants on the islands often specialize in seafood as well, and you’ll find often find it cooked in Portuguese, Creole and French styles.  Fish lovers, in particular, will be in heaven as the grilled lobster is superb, as are the fresh tuna, octopus and a multitude of other delicacies.

Beaches

Of course, a holiday to Cape Verde would not be complete without a beach day! There are more stretches of stunning coastline than we can count, but some of our favorites include Santa Maria Beach and Ponta Preta on Sal, Praia de Chaves on Boa Vista and Laginha beach in Mindelo, on São Vicente. This is just the beginning of this archipelago, so if you consider yourself a serious beach lover, Cape Verde is a fantastic choice.

Marine life

There are quite a variety of species that only exist on Cape Verde and its surrounding waters. So far, scientists have listed about 639 species of fish, including whale sharks, the humpback whale, and mantas. You can go on a turtle tour or whale-watching trip while here. Many species on Cape Verde exist nowhere else in the world. The variety of marine life that can be found in the waters surrounding the islands is particularly astonishing.

Local music

Music underpins Cape Verdean’s life and the country relies heavily on its varied musical traditions to project its culture and history, both within the islands and also on to the world stage. Half a dozen genres have emerged from the islands including morna, the national music of Cape Verde, a cultural gift to the world is morna – a lilting, rhythmic form of music which slipped into life on the archipelago (probably on Boa Vista) at some undefined point in the 18th century

No visit to the islands is complete without enjoying the local music at some point.

Street art and architecture

More than 500 years of cultural fusion has endowed Cape Verde with a rich and varied architectural heritage. Styles range from Portuguese colonial forts and churches to conical funco huts made with volcanic stone and sobrado colonial mansions transformed into museums, boutique hotels, and restaurants. Full of colorful buildings, the islands have morphed graffiti into a national art form, with municipalities inviting artists to decorate walls and buildings. Some of the most impressive works can be found in Ribeira Grande on Santo Antão and São Filipe on Fogo.

Historical sites and Culture mix

The ten islands have lots of historical sites to explore, especially the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Cidade Velha. Although the archipelago was originally discovered by the Portuguese, it has African and European influences. Even after its independence in 1975, the islands will provide you with a melting pot of different cultures.

The festivals

The summer months welcome some fantastic festivals in Cape Verde, with lots of celebrations, processions, and music. Some examples include:

• São Vicente’s Baia das Gatas Festival –  August Full Moon – a music festival featuring many local bands and artists.
• Boa Vista’s Santa Isabel (Municipality Day) – 4 July – Celebrating the patron saint of the island, Saint Isabel, with processions, swimming, a public ball and more.
• Sal’s Santa Maria Festival/Municipality Day – 11 & 12 September – an annual music festival with live acts and lots of food and drink to enjoy.
• Santiago’s Tabanka – June/July – a celebration of the liberation of the slaves.

Cruising and water sports

A place surrounded by the deep blue sea is expected to have great water sports, and Cape Verde doesn’t disappoint in that regard. With a steady wind blowing from the Sahara, Sal island is a hub for windsurfing, kite surfing and good old “hang ten” board surfing. Named one of the world’s top winter scuba destinations by PADI, the rich Atlantic waters around the islands teem with sharks, rays, turtles, tropical fish, and migrating whales. Outfitters like Scuba Caribe and Cabo Verde Diving offer a number of underwater options in the islands.

With all these reasons to go to Cape Verde, what are you waiting for? Grab your passport and let us take you there!