British travellers arrive in Boa Vista better-informed about the beaches than about the paperwork. Nothing below is theoretical — every item is the product of a logistics problem we have watched a Cape Verde first-timer run into at least once. Work through it before you pack.
If you only take two points away from this page, take these:
- Pre-register your TSA airport tax (£31 per person) via ease.gov.cv at least 5 days before your outbound flight. Missing this costs you at least an hour in a manual queue on arrival.
- Do not drink tap water throughout your stay — including for brushing teeth.
Entry Requirements
| Item | UK Passport Holder |
|---|---|
| Visa | None required for stays under 30 days |
| Passport validity | Valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date |
| TSA Airport Tax | 3,400 CVE (~£31) — pre-register via ease.gov.cv at least 5 days before outbound flight |
| Under-2s | Exempt from TSA |
The EASE Portal — How to Pre-Register Your TSA
This is the single most important piece of pre-trip admin. Go to ease.gov.cv at least 5 working days before your flight:
- Create an account with your email
- Submit your passport details, flight information and accommodation address
- Pay the TSA (around £31 per person over age 2) by card
- Download or screenshot the confirmation email
- Show it to passport control alongside your passport on arrival
Allow 10 minutes. The portal supports English. If you arrive without pre-registering, expect a 45–90 minute queue.
Direct Flights from the UK
| Airport | Operator | Typical Days | Flight Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London Gatwick (LGW) | TUI Airways | Mon, Tue, Fri, Sat | 6h 05m |
| Manchester (MAN) | TUI Airways | Mon, Fri | 6h 15m |
| Birmingham (BHX) | TUI Airways | Thu | 6h 15m |
| East Midlands (EMA) | TUI Airways | Seasonal | 6h 00m |
Currency and Money
Currency: Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) — roughly £1 = 110 CVE in 2026. Euros widely accepted in resorts, tourist restaurants and excursion operators. Sterling is rarely accepted.
ATMs: available in Sal Rei and at the airport (Banco Comercial do Atlântico and Caixa Económica). Visa and Mastercard accepted; Amex often declined. Withdraw £100–£150 worth on arrival for small transactions — taxis, pottery purchases, village restaurants and market stalls.
Tipping Guidance
- Restaurants: 5–10% if service is good. Not compulsory.
- Taxis: round up to the nearest 100 CVE
- Excursion guides: €5–€10 per person for a full-day tour
- Housekeeping: 100–200 CVE per day, left on the pillow
Vaccines and Health
No vaccines are legally required to enter Cape Verde from the UK. Recommended (check with your GP 6–8 weeks before travel):
- Tetanus (usually already up to date)
- Hepatitis A (recommended for almost all travellers)
- Hepatitis B (for longer stays or repeat visitors)
- Typhoid (recommended if you plan significant off-resort eating)
Always check the latest NHS Travel Health guidance at nhs.uk/fitfortravel before your trip. Boa Vista is malaria-free.
The Water Situation
Cape Verde’s mains water is desalinated seawater. Safe for showering and washing — can upset British stomachs if drunk. Three sensible habits:
- Use bottled water for drinking (1.5 L bottles cost 80–120 CVE in local shops)
- Use bottled water for brushing teeth for at least the first week
- Avoid ice in drinks from very small family bars (resort ice is fine — made from filtered water)
Travel Insurance: Don’t Skip This
Cape Verde has basic public healthcare. Anything serious — a significant injury, a cardiac event — requires medical evacuation to Lisbon or Dakar. This is expensive without insurance.
Your policy should include: medical emergency cover to at least £1,000,000, medical repatriation/evacuation cover, cancellation cover, baggage cover, and an adventure activities add-on if you plan quad biking, diving or whale tours. Do not rely on an EHIC or GHIC — it does not apply in Cape Verde.
Packing Essentials — The Real List
| Item | Why You Need It |
|---|---|
| European two-pin adapter | UK three-pin plugs do not fit |
| Reef-safe SPF 50 sunscreen | Less widely available on island, and expensive |
| Insect repellent (DEET 30%+) | Mosquitoes after dusk, especially around Sal Rei |
| Lightweight long-sleeved top | For sunset and for turtle tours |
| Closed-toe shoes | For desert tours, pottery villages, evening walks |
| Basic first-aid kit | Paracetamol, antihistamine, Imodium, plasters |
| Rehydration sachets | Dioralyte worth packing, especially for children |
| Refillable water bottle | Most resorts have filtered-water refill stations |
Phone, Data and Wi-Fi
- UK networks roaming to Cape Verde: EE, Vodafone and O2 all roam (~£5–£7/day depending on plan)
- Local SIMs: CVMovel and Unitel both sell tourist SIMs for around €15 with 7–10 GB. Available at the airport.
- eSIM: Airalo and Holafly offer Cape Verde eSIMs from around £10 per week — the easiest option for short trips
- Resort Wi-Fi: all major resorts have free Wi-Fi — adequate for WhatsApp and email
Power and Plugs
Cape Verde uses European Type C and Type F sockets (two-pin round). Voltage is 220V — same as the UK. You will need an adapter.
A 6-Week Pre-Flight Countdown
- 6 weeks out: book travel insurance, check passport expiry, see GP for vaccine updates
- 4 weeks out: refill any prescription medication with buffer
- 1 week out: pre-register your TSA via ease.gov.cv — print or screenshot the confirmation
- 3 days out: check in online with TUI, confirm resort transfer details
- Day before: pack, charge electronics, lay out travel documents
At the Airport on Departure
- Arrive 3 hours early for TUI flights — check-in closes firmly
- Bring your EASE TSA confirmation — you may be asked for it at check-in
- TUI is strict on baggage allowance — weigh at the hotel before leaving
- Duty free: Grogue (Cape Verdean rum) is an excellent souvenir — duty free allows 1 litre
Cape Verde is a genuinely easy country to travel to. It is politically stable, visa-free for UK citizens, and welcoming. The admin is minimal — it simply has to be done before you get on the plane. Register the TSA. Drink the bottled water. Pack the adapter. Buy the insurance. Do those four things and everything else will unfold in your favour.
Need help pre-booking transfers or excursions? Olavo Tours provides private airport pickups from BVC for UK clients. Get in touch for 2026 availability.
