Transportation

The main means of transport on the islands are the Aluguer.

An Aluguer is a collective taxi (normally a Toyota Hiace), which can be stopped anywhere, to collect and drop passengers. There are fixed routes for these Hiaces and normally they will be stated on the side of the car. For instance, Praia – Assomada – Praia. This means this car goes from Praia to Assomada and then back again to Praia.

Always check with other passengers, not the driver, if the destination you wish to get to is a part of the route, and see if the car has any indication of that location written on it. Don’t enter an empty Aluguer or be prepared to drive around for sometimes up to one or two hours to collect other passengers. The car will not go until it’s packed with people.

If you travel with bigger baggage, be prepared to pay extra for your baggage. Normally the price for one piece of big baggage is equal to the passenger price.

For smaller routes, there is also the possibility of getting a Hillux (Pick-Up), as a taxi. These are available in towns where taxis and buses can not be found. Taxis and city buses are available mainly in the larger cities, such as Praia, Assomada, Mindelo, etc.

Transportation between the islands is done either by plane or ferry.