Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cabo Verde 24
(
www.caboverde24.com
)
General tourist information on the islands.
MAPS
A good map of the islands is the German- produced AB Karten-Verlag
Cabo Verde
(1:200,000; 2001).
An excellent hiking map for Santo Antão is the (also German)
Goldstadt Wanderkarte
(1:50,000; 2001) with around 40 suggested walks. The same company also produces maps
to several other islands.
MONEY
The unit of currency is the Cape Verde escudo (CVE), divided into 100 centavos. Though
not a hard currency, it's stable; in January 2002 it was pegged to the euro. Most businesses
also accept euros.
Banks are found in all the main towns and even some of the smaller ones; most have
ATMs that accept bankcards and Visa (daily withdrawal limit is CVE20,000).
Many banks change travellers cheques and cash in all the main currencies (except the
West African CFA franc).
Credit cards are not widely accepted; Visa is the most widespread. Even where accep-
ted, there's typically a 3% to 5% commission for credit-card payments.
OPENING HOURS
Note that for posted hours days are often numbered according to the Portuguese system
from 1º to 7º (1º is Sunday, 7º is Saturday).
Banks
From 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday.
Businesses
Generally 8am to noon and 3pm to 6pm Monday to Friday, and 8am to noon
or 1pm Saturday.
Restaurants
Mostly open from around noon to 3pm and 7pm to 10pm.
POST
The postal service is cheap, reliable and reasonably quick.
Correios
(post offices) are generally open 8am to 3pm Monday to Friday and on
Saturday mornings in Praia and Mindelo.
PRACTICALITIES
»
Electricity
Voltage is 220V with European-style twin-pronged plugs.
