Money
The national currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE).
The Cape Verdean Escudo has been firmly linked to the euro since 1999. The conversion ratio is 1 EUR = 110,265cve.
At international airports and well-developed tourist areas you can also pay with (small) euro notes.
Banks are open all day, except on holidays, from Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 15h00.
To exchange money at the counter, you should always have your passport with you.
When asked for your address or place of staying, just give the name of your actual accommodation on the island.
With the VISA / Master card you can obtain a maximum of 1x 20’000 CVE per day (1x 181.- Euro). At the counter, you can also collect other amounts of money, for a fee. If you would like to use your EC Maestro card (“Eurocard”), you must contact your bank in advance to enable withdrawals in Cape Verde, otherwise the country might be blacklisted and you will not be able to use the card at all.
Please remember your credit card pincode before departure. The code can not be more than four digits!
Paying with a credit card (VISA or MasterCard) is rather unusual in Cape Verde and usually it only works in large hotels and very specific shops. The majority of restaurants and bars do not accept credit cards.
Travelers checks can be exchanged at the banks, but they are not common.
We advise you to use bigger currency only in supermarkets and gas stations, so you can get the necessary small money to shop in the market, small shops or in bars and restaurants without any issues. The most used currency is all coins and 200cve notes.
When you exchange money at the bank, do not accept any 5000cve bills as they are very difficult to change.
With a good service a tip of 10% is appropriate. Let the change come to you first and then leave the tip.
Do not give money, sweets, pencils and other hardware to beggars! It does not help anyone and only promotes the habit of begging to tourists. Even more it makes extremely poor parents to send their kids to beg instead to school, making these kids to have absolutely no chances in the future, often ending in human trafficking, sex slavery and drug abuse.
However, as we understand the urge to give and do good as a responsible traveler or because of your religious views, we encourage you to offer food and water to people in need. As an example, we often take fresh fruits from the local market on hikes, to give it away during the hike. Avoid packaged food from the supermarkets, as it is often reselled and pollutes the planet with plastic.
Entering and exiting Cape Verde with Escudos is forbidden.