Broadly safe for most visitors, with only routine travel precautions needed. Public health and infrastructure are well developed.
Regional breakdown
Cabo Verde is an Atlantic archipelago of ten islands, and risk levels shift noticeably from one to the next. The capital, Praia, on Santiago island, draws the most warnings. The official advisory guidance singles it out for an increased risk of pickpocketing, bag snatching and some violent crime. Especially after dark and in quieter streets away from the main squares. Travellers there are told to stay alert, keep valuables out of sight and use licensed taxis at night. The resort islands of Sal and Boa Vista host most of the package tourism. Santa Maria on Sal and Sal Rei on Boa Vista see fewer reports of serious crime. But opportunistic theft on beaches and around hotel strips still happens. Strong Atlantic currents around both islands are a bigger concern for many visitors than crime. Fogo island carries a different kind of risk. Its active volcano, Pico do Fogo, last erupted in 2014–2015 and remains monitored. Hikers in the Chã das Caldeiras area should follow local guides and check conditions before heading out. São Vicente, home to Mindelo, and the green hiking island of Santo Antão are generally quieter. Though rural roads can be rough and weather can change fast in the mountains.
Recent advisory changes
The official advisory guidance last updated its Cabo Verde advice on 6 February 2026. It does not warn against travel to any part of the country. The standout change is a health alert: the UK Health Security Agency is looking into a rise in Shigella sonnei and Salmonella infections among travellers returning from Cabo Verde. The official advisory guidance tells people with underlying health conditions to speak to a healthcare professional before they fly. It also reminds travellers that the Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) is not accepted. So full travel insurance matters more here than in many European destinations. The official advisory guidance reissued its Cabo Verde advisory on 18 December 2025 and kept the country at Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions. Praia is held at Level 2, Exercise Increased Caution, because of crime. The official advisory guidance also points to strong ocean currents and undertows. Poor road conditions during the July to October rainy season, the active volcano on Fogo. Limited medical facilities that may force overseas evacuation in serious cases, and tap water that is not drinkable. Neither government has issued any ordered departure or family member drawdown.
What travellers should know
Most visits to Cabo Verde pass without serious incident, but a few practical points come up again and again in both advisories. In Praia, keep phones and wallets out of sight, avoid walking alone after dark in unlit areas, and use hotel or app-booked taxis at night. On Sal and Boa Vista, do not leave bags unattended on the beach and watch for rip currents. Which have caused drowning deaths even at popular resort beaches. Swim where there are flags or lifeguards, and ask hotel staff which spots are calmer that day. On the health side, take the Shigella and Salmonella reports seriously. Drink bottled or treated water, watch ice and salads, and pack rehydration sachets. Travel insurance with medical evacuation cover is strongly recommended because hospitals on the smaller islands are limited and a serious case can mean a flight to Europe. Drivers should be ready for potholes, livestock and heavy rain between July and October, especially on Santiago and Santo Antão. Hikers on Fogo or Santo Antão should use local guides, carry water and tell someone their route. Check both the official advisories pages again in the days before flying.