Archive for the ‘Cape Verde’ Category

Cidade Velha

Friday, January 15th, 2010

Cidade Velha, which is Portuguese for “Old City” or simply “Sidadi” in Cape Verdean Creole is a city located about 10 miles from Cape Verde’s capital city Praia on the island of Santiago. Cidade Velha is the oldest settlement in Cape Verde and used to serve as the capital city. The city was once called Ribeira Grande. As of latest measurement the city of Cidade Velha has a population as little as 2500 people.

Today, Cidade Velha is an Atlantic shipping stop and center for Creole culture. It’s an easy reach from Praia, alugeurs leave multiple times a day from the Sucupira Market located west of the Plateau. You can reach the city at very low costs. Once in town, there’s plenty of cultural and historical sightseeing’s. Still, keep in mind that Cidade Velha is a small town, with visiting all of the sightseeing’s, enjoy your dinner in one of the restaurants around main square, you would have explored the town in under a day. If you wish to stay overnight, please ask the tourist information center for accommodation recommendations.

One of the popular tourist attractions include a walking tour starting at the Fort, above the town. From the fort, you will continue to visiting and view the ruined cathedral at the shores of the sea. Further more it will take you the main square, where executions have taken place, and a beautiful monument is waiting for your camera; Pelourinho ou picoto. After, you will reach Africa’s oldest European built street, Rua Banana leading towards the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rośario chapel.

To visit Cape Verde, you need a passport valid for at least six months. You also need to present your return ticket or any proof that you are leaving the African country at a certain date, either to go home or to move on to the next destination. You need to have a visa to cross the border.

Posted in Cidade Velha | No Comments »

Mindelo

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

Mindelo is a port city on the Cape Verdean island of São Vicente. It’s situated in the northern part of the island. Mindelo is also the seat of the parish of Nossa Senhora da Luz, as well the island’s municipality. Within city limits life over 96% of the entire island’s population. As of latest measurement the city has a population of 80 thousand people.

The city of Mindelo is of decent size, a lot of the sightseeing’s and major attractions are reachable by foot. It’s known as the cultural capital of Cape Verde, anywhere in and around downtown and center areas you will hear traditional music, as well in bars, restaurants and shopping malls. Getting around can be done best by taxi’s as local buses travel limit routes.

When staying in Mindelo there’s several sightseeing tours that can be entertaining as well interesting. For example you can do a walking tour through the town, visiting and viewing some historical and cultural buildings like the CV Telecom building, as well the Alliance Francaise and the eagle monument on the shores named “Rua Libertadores d’Africa“. Further more Praça Independencia, and Torre de Belem should be added to your list. As well the parliament buildings and Mercado Municipal indoor market.

To visit Cape Verde, you need a passport valid for at least six months. You also need to present your return ticket or any proof that you are leaving the African country at a certain date, either to go home or to move on to the next destination. You need to have a visa to cross the border.

Posted in Mindelo | No Comments »

Vila do Maio

Tuesday, October 27th, 2009

Vila do Maio is the primary city in the southern western part of Maio, an island located just 25 miles from Cape Verde’s main island Santiago and capital city Praia. The city has its own seaport and airport. Locals often refer Vila do Maio by its old name “Porto Inglês” which is Portuguese for “English port”.

When traveling to Vila do Maio you choose to travel by boat or airplane. There are several flights per week available from Praia, the capital city. The most used and trusted airline by locals is TACV Cabo Verde Airlines. If you are looking for landscape and pretty sights the north is most appealing, made up of forest while the rest of the island desert and dry land dominates. From any point of the island the eye catches the view of the Monte Batalha mountains. Not to mention the beautiful Cape Verdian sea that faces the beach side of Vila do Maio.

When you are looking for time to spend in Vila do Maio you better be in good shape, outdoor attractions include hiking and climbing. Another well-accepted outdoor activity is hitchhiking, even most locals will hitching and walking when possible. Vila do Maio does have public transport with buses available. When you are looking for fine dining experiences this is not the place to be, there’s only two main restaurants which both offer Italian food, both are located right on the main street of Vila do Maio. The biggest and most popular restaurant is called Trattoria del Qwerty. On the island there’s one internet cafe just ahead of the Italian restaurant.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Vila do Maio, apartments and villa’s are the standard. If you cannot afford such luxury there’s many guest houses available you can rent on the spot. The crime rates are very low, not just in Vila do Maio but across the whole island of Maio.

To visit Cape Verde, you need a passport valid for at least six months upon arrival. Present your return ticket or any other legit proof for leaving the country before your visa expires to the immigration officer. This may be a ticket to your home destination or any other location worldwide. You need to have a visa to enter the country, contact the local Cape Verde embassy.

Posted in Vila do Maio | No Comments »

Praia

Thursday, March 26th, 2009

Praia, the capital and largest city of Cape Verde, has an interesting name meaning. In both Cape Verdean Creole and Portuguese, the city name means “beach” which is appropriate for the capital of an island nation. The capital city is definitely surrounded by waters. Praia is a worthy capital not only because it is the largest city but also because of its stunning beaches and a commercial center. It also has a long-standing history; it was formerly called the town of Praia de Santa Maria in 1615 and was declared a city in 1858. The city is home to 125 thousand people according to the latest measurement.

Despite its beaches and commercial center, Praia is not a typical tourist magnet. Usually, tourists would come to Cape Verde’s center for a stopover and move on to their next destination. Still, you can always enjoy a visit to the beach or taking photos of the cosmopolitan life in Praia. There are historical sites and traces of Portuguese settlement in this area. You can visit places such as Praia Cathedral and the Praia town hall, for example. Who knows, you may want to stay for a little longer.

You can reach Praia, Cape Verde through interconnecting flights ending in the capital city’s international airport. From the airport, you can reach the city center through a taxi ride. Unfortunately, there is apparently no transportation that can bring you from where you are staying back to the airport. The average temperature in Praia is mostly within the range of 68 degrees Fahrenheit, from 66 degrees Fahrenheit to 84 degrees Fahrenheit.

To visit Cape Verde, you need a passport valid for at least six months. You also need to present your return ticket or any proof that you are leaving the African country at a certain date, either to go home or to move on to the next destination. You need to have a visa to enter the city.

Posted in Praia | No Comments »