Reality Brief: Mindelo
What to know about Mindelo, gathered from AfriPilot's sourced information: alerts, rules, addresses and useful places. Nothing is added without a source.
Region: São VicenteGathered from 8 sources checked on October 2, 2026.
Current alerts
No official alerts recorded for this region.
Essentials before you arrive
Every non-Cape Verdean traveller must pre-register at least 5 days before arrival on the official ease.gov.cv platform and pay the airport security fee (TSA) there. Without proof, the fee must be paid again on arrival (the UK says it has been doubled since 1 July 2026).
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Cabo Verde travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence
- Passport: France, United Kingdom
No visa is needed for a tourist stay of up to 30 days (French and British nationals). For 30 to 90 days, a tourist visa is obtained at a consulate or on arrival; it can be extended once.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Cabo Verde travel advice: entry requirementsGuide: Entry and residence
- Passport: France
French nationals, including French-Cape Verdean dual nationals, must enter with their French passport, valid at least 3 months after the end of the stay; otherwise, departure to France may be blocked. French emergency passports are recognised.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, entry and residenceGuide: Entry and residence
There is no helicopter, sea rescue or decompression chamber in the archipelago: an evacuation can take a very long time. Repatriation insurance is essential, especially for hikers, divers and sailors.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safetyGuide: Health
Hospital 130, fire 131, national police 132, criminal police 134 (Santiago).
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, useful contactsGOV.UK (FCDO), Cabo Verde travel advice: getting helpGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Cabo VerdeGuide: Health
The currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged to the euro. Some hotels and restaurants in Praia exchange euros and dollars and accept cards.
Government of Canada, Travel advice: Cabo VerdeGuide: Money and banking
Armed robbery is rising, day and night, in towns (especially Praia) and on trails on Santiago, Boa Vista and Fogo. People wearing gold and jewellery are targeted; sexual assaults on women travelling alone are increasing. Do not resist and report any theft to the police.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies
Living in Mindelo
Do not walk at night (take a taxi), do not stroll alone outside the centres of Santiago and São Vicente, and hire a local guide for mountains and dunes.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies
Wind, waves and currents are strong and swimming is unsupervised. Violent burglaries have targeted sailing boats (Praia, Tarrafal, Mindelo, São Filipe): lock all access points at night.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safetyGuide: Safety and emergencies
All islands are served by boat, with long journeys and frequent delays. Shared taxis replace public transport.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, useful informationGuide: Getting around
Field experience
- Tip
Pharmacies, clinics and hospitals
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): pharmacies (6), hospitals (3). Locate those near your home in the first days and check opening hours and on-call services locally.
- Tip
Where to shop for food
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): markets (3), supermarkets (16). Compare a few basic prices between market and supermarket before settling into habits.
- Tip
Banks, cash machines and exchange
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): banks (11). Withdraw and change money at these official places, preferably during the day, never in the street.
- Tip
A shop for your SIM card
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): phone and internet (1). Go with your passport: SIM registration is often mandatory.
- Tip
A furnished flat for the first weeks
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): furnished apartments (5). A furnished flat gives you time to visit several neighbourhoods before signing a lease.
- Tip
A coworking space as a fallback
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): coworking (1). Useful for remote work when the connection or power fails at home.
- Tip
Consulates in the city
Listed in OpenStreetMap (not exhaustive): consulates (3). Note the address of your country's consulate or the nearest embassy.
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Emergency numbers
Hospital 130, fire 131, national police 132, criminal police 134.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Consular agency of France in Mindelo
Passport: FranceHonorary consul of France (São Vicente island).
Agence Nobai, Alto Santo António n° 11, Mindelo+238 231 05 25+238 982 55 71agenceconsulairemindelo@gmail.comFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026
Consular agency of France in Santa Maria
Passport: FranceHonorary consul of France (Sal island).
Agence Morabitur, Avenida dos Hotéis, Djadsal Moradias bloc C, Santa Maria (Sal)+238 918 73 00agenceconsulairesantamaria@gmail.comFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026