Cape Verde Basic Guide For Business Travel

Time: Local time is GMT -1.

Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50 Hz.

Language: The official language is Portuguese and a patois known as Crioulo.

Health: No vaccinations are required for entry to Cape Verde, however it is recommended that precautions be taken against typhoid fever, Hepatitis A and yellow fever (compulsory for travellers entering from a yellow fever infected area). A one-time booster Polio vaccination is recommended for travellers who completed the childhood series, but have not had one as an adult. There is a limited risk of Malaria on Santiago Island between September and November. Water is unsafe to drink without prior treatment, and milk is unpasteurised. Medical facilities are limited and some medicines in short supply. Visitors receive free hospital treatment in general hospitals on presenting their passports, but health insurance is strongly advised, with coverage for emergency repatriation.

Tipping: Better restaurants expect a 10% tip if no service charge has been added to the bill.
Safety: Visits to Cape Verde are usually trouble free. The political situation is stable and crime rate low. The only danger is presented by occasional hazardous sea conditions around the islands.

Business: Most business correspondance is conducted in English.

Communications: The country code is +238. The outgoing code is 0 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are not required. The archipelago's main cities can be reached by International Direct Dialling. A GSM 900 mobile network is in operation throughout the islands; coverage is good in most towns. Internet is available in the main towns and major hotels offer laptop connections.

Duty Free: Travellers to Cape Verde are permitted the following items without incurring customs duty: a reasonable amount of perfume or eau de cologne and some gift items. In principle there is no free import of alcohol and tobacco products. The import or export of narcotics is strictly prohibited and pharmaceutical products may only be imported by public institutions.