Safety and emergencies
Areas advised against, risks on the road and in town, scams and numbers to keep with you. Advice varies with the country that publishes it.
Areas advised against
The whole archipelago is under heightened vigilance. The French embassy has limited means and does not issue passports; the consulate general in Dakar handles other formalities.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safety
Crime
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.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safety
In town
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.
Practical adviceVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safety
Sea, climate and natural hazards
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.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safetyThe climb of Pico (2,829 m) on Fogo requires very good fitness and is not suitable for children; after a fall, evacuation takes a very long time. Earthquakes and eruptions are possible.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safety
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
Embassy of France in Cabo Verde
Passport: FranceConsular emergencies Monday to Thursday 8:00-12:30 and 13:30-17:15, Friday 8:00-13:00.
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safety· 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
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Cabo Verde, safety · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.