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St. Vincent, Cape Verde © Jim G/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
St. Vincent, Cape Verde © Jim G/Flickr/CC BY 2.0
St. Vincent, Cape Verde © William Murphy/Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
St. Vincent, Cape Verde © As3.1415rin/Wikipedia/CC BY 3.0Sao Vicente is an island of Cape Verde. Activity on the island is centered around the city of Mindelo, which is the cultural capital of the Cape Verde islands. There are few tourist attractions and hence is not as popular a destination as other islands, however, the looming mountains, sandy beaches, and little fishing towns give Sao Vicente a certain charm.St. Vincent, Cape Verde
The island is largely desertified and what few plants there are either farmed or at high altitude. All major towns are connected by cobbled roads and are no more than ~30 mins drive from Mindelo. Money has been spent on tourist projects, with the aim of attracting people to the island, however several of these sit empty, waiting for travelers to arrive.
Most of the bars, restaurants, and hotels on the island are located in Mindelo.
Geography
The island is roughly rectangular in shape with a surface area of... Read more
Destination:St. Vincent, Cape VerdeSao Vicente is an island of Cape Verde. Activity on the island is centered around the city of Mindelo, which is the cultural capital of the Cape Verde islands. There are few tourist attractions and hence is not as popular a destination as other islands, however, the looming mountains, sandy beaches, and little fishing towns give Sao Vicente a certain charm.The island is largely desertified and what few plants there are either farmed or at high altitude. All major towns are connected by cobbled roads and are no more than ~30 mins drive from Mindelo. Money has been spent on tourist projects, with the aim of attracting people to the island, however several of these sit empty, waiting for travelers to arrive.
Most of the bars, restaurants, and hotels on the island are located in Mindelo.
Geography
The island is roughly rectangular in shape with a surface area of ca. 227 square kilometers (88 square miles). From east to west it measures 24 kilometers (15 miles) and from north to south no more than 16 kilometers (9.9 miles). The terrain includes mountains in the west, the southwest, the south, the east-central and the north. The area is flat in the north-central and central parts, the eastern part south of Calhau, and the northern part in the Baía das Gatas area. The urban area of Mindelo is in the northern part.
The island, of volcanic origin, is fairly flat. Its highest point is Monte Verde (green mountain), located in the northeast-central part with an altitude of 725 meters (2,379 feet). Although very eroded, some craters still remain, in particular near the bay of Mindelo. Other mountains include Monte Caraand Topona.
A small islet, Ilheu dos Passaros, is less than one nautical mile off the coast north of Porto Grande Bay off Mindelo, the island being one of five that have surrounding islets.
Until the mid-20th century, trees were scarce on the island, and most of the island remains deforested. Most of the wide valleys and smaller dales have become forested, particularly in the middle of the island.Climate
São Vicente enjoys a very rare mild and dry tropical climate (Köppen–Geiger classification As), much like Santa Cruz de Tenerife or Las Palmas on the Canary Islands, but somewhat warmer during winter months. The average annual temperature in Mindelo is 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) which is two degrees more than in Santa Cruz de Tenerife. The island is very arid, with only 80 to 130 mm (3.15–5.12 inches) of annual rainfall, somewhat higher only near the tops of the few mountains. These rare climate conditions are due to its position far off the west African coast and because Cape Verde is in the middle of the cold Canary Current. The ocean water temperature every year is between 22 °C (72 °F) and 25 °C (77 °F). There are two seasons: December through July is mainly dry, cool and windy, while August through November is a wetter and warmer season.
Source:http://wikitravel.org/en/São_Vicente
Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0St. Vincent, Cape Verde: Port Information
Cruise ships dock at Mindelo Sao Vicente Cruise Port.
It is located 15 minutes from the town (on foot). Shuttle buses are available.Get around St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Buses around the island are limited and start in Mindelo.
Taxis are common around Mindelo and will travel to any town connected to the city by road. Off-road travel costs more, even for short distances.
Aluguers are easy to find around the market places in Mindelo and at the main road junctions/roundabouts on the island and are cheaper than taxis. They can often be flagged down.
Cars and off-road vehicles can be rented from the center of Mindelo. A lot of people who live on the island cannot afford cars and choose to walk between the villages on foot. They can often be seen trying to flag down any passing car, and this can be a way of traveling the island for free. If you are driving, hitch-hikers are friendly and grateful for the transport.
What to see in St. Vincent, Cape Verde
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Monte Verde
. The highest point on Sao Vicente at 725 meters (2,379 ft). Climb the precarious mountain road (cobbled) by foot or by car and visit the islands only nature reserve. The top of the mountain hosts several communications towers and is the only place on the island you will find a variety of wild green plants. There are some abandoned farm buildings which people apparently use in the wetter months of the year to grow some vegetables on the island. The views of Mindelo and the surrounding area are beautiful and well worth a look. Aluguers and taxis can drop you at the bottom of the track up to the mountain as it is just off the main road between Mindelo andBaia Das Gatas
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Beaches
- Sao Pedro. Long sandy beach just behind the airport. Planes flying overhead can be disconcerting, but the beach is often empty. There is the town of Sao Pedro at one end where locals land fish daily and enjoy to play footsal, and a resort at the other. The beach is sheltered from the prevailing winds typical of Sao Vicente. There is a popular surf spot (point break) at the Sao Pedro end of the beach.
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Praia Grande
. Beach around the headland from Calhau. Popular with locals at the weekends. The beach is accessible from the main road over sand. The beach is sandy and has long rolling waves. Visitors should be careful as the sea currents can be strong here.
- Baia das Gatas. Amazingly sheltered bay ~15 minutes from Mindelo. The shallow, calm waters make the area perfect for bathing. Very popular with locals who often stay the whole weekend, drinking and listening to music. There are a few bars/restaurants close to the beach and plenty of parking space. Aluguers travel to and from here fairly regularly.
What to do in St. Vincent, Cape Verde
- Mornas. Try and hear some mornas in the bars and restaurants on the islands. There is live music in Mindelo every weekend.
- Hiking. There are several extent volcanoes on the island that can be explored on foot and hiking maps showing routes can be bought from tourist information kiosks in Mindelo. However, the sun, heat, and lack of shade and sights can make walking unbearable on Sao Vicente. Hence, people prefer the more lush Santo Antão and Fogo islands for hiking.
What to eat and drink in St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Eat
- Restaurante Serenata, Calhau. Excellent restaurant out near Calhau.
Drink
- Simpatico, Baia das Gatas, 2. Extension of the bar in Mindelo with extensive outside seating to enjoy the beaches nearby.
- Hamburg Bar, Calhau.
Shopping in St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Since most goods are imported, they are pretty expensive. Nevertheless, you can buy locally grown and produced items (wine, cheese, etc.) as well as lovely handicrafts.Safety in St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Crime rates are relatively low. The emergency number is 132.
UK health authorities have classified Cape Verde as having a risk of Zika virus transmission.Language spoken in St. Vincent, Cape Verde
The official language is Portuguese, used in all official publications and announcements as well as in business, media, and schools, but the local language is Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu kabuverdianu), a Portuguese-based Creole language with 90-95% of the words from Portuguese and the rest mainly from West African languages. It is divided into 9 dialects spoken on various parts of the country. Even though Kriolu is comprehensible to a skilled Portuguese-speaker almost all people can also speak Portuguese as a second language. French Creole is not the same as Cape Verdian Creole, and a considerable number also speak English; basically, Kriolu is your first option, Portuguese second, English third.
It is a good idea to know some Kriolu or at least Portuguese, since even though young urban people are often quite proficient in English, this does not apply to old and rural people, and even those who can speak English will highly appreciate any attempt you do to speak Kriolu or Portuguese.
LOCAL TIME
2:58 amMay 29, 2022CURRENT WEATHER
23.16 °C / 73.688 °F
few cloudsMon
23.39 °C/74 °F
few cloudsTue
23.6 °C/74 °F
few cloudsWed
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scattered cloudsThu
23.73 °C/75 °F
few cloudsLOCAL CURRENCY
CVETravelers recommend visiting the following places of interests
Fateixa, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Fateixa is a mountain and a beach in the west coast of the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde. Its elevation is 571 m Fateixa is accessed by a dirt road. It is 8 km west from the city of Mindelo. Nearby features includes Monte Cara in the northeast and the valley of São Pedro and is airport.Paco do Concelho, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
The Paço do Concelho is a building that is the city hall for Mindelo and the island council of São Vicente.Ribeira de Calhau, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Ribeira de Calhau is a settlement in the eastern part of the island of Sao Vicente, Cape Verde. Its 2010 population was 1,177. It takes its name from the river Ribeira do Calhau, and comprises the villages of Madeiral, Chã de Madeiral, Madeiral do Norte (km 11), Bairro Branco, Calhau Interior (km 13) and Ribeira de Calhau and Calhau, all located...Palacio do Povo, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
The Palácio do Povo (People's Palace), formerly the Palácio do Governador (Governor's Palace) is a building located near a small mountain in east Mindelo in Cape Verde. Its area is by 50 by 100 m and it is imaged on Mindelo Infos. It is the entry faces the street, one of them is Rua Unidade Africana (formerly Rua Lisboa) is located and is located...Baia das Gatas, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Baía das Gatas is a village in the northeastern part of the island of Sao Vicente, Cape Verde. It is situated on the coast, approximately 8 km east of the island capital Mindelo. It takes its name from the bay it is situated on, also named Baía das Gatas. The name of the bay is named for abundance of catfish (gata, gata-tubarões in Portuguese,...Centro Nacional de Artesanato, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Centro Nacional de Artesanato is an exposition in Mindelo on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde which features qualification from Cape Verdean craftsmen. It also serves prominence in workmanship in paintings, ceramics, fabrics of batique and wooden works as well as carpet-like art and pictures, one of them made by Bela Duarte. The museum...Monte Verde, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Monte Verde (Portuguese meaning "green mountain") is the tallest mountain in the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde. The mountain is located 8 km (5 mi) east of the city of Mindelo, the island's main city and is 750 m tall. The mountain is part of a natural park. It is an example of a sub-humid ecosystem. Of the 93 inventoried species of...Farol de D. Amelia, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Farol de D. Amélia, also known as farol da ponta Machado (Ponta Machado Lighthouse) or farol de São Pedro is a lighthouse in the southwestern point of the island of São Vicente in northwestern Cape Verde approximately 3 km west of the village of São Pedro, it is in the westernmost part of the small hill range dominating the island's westernmost...Praia Grande, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Praia Grande (Portuguese meaning "large beach") is a large beach on the northeast coast of the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde. It is 1.5 km northwest of the village Calhau. Beach sands lie next to volcanic rocks of nearby Monte Calhau.Monte Cara, St. Vincent, Cape Verde
Monte Cara is a mountain in the island of São Vicente, Cape Verde. Its elevation is 489 m. It is situated 5 km west of the island capital Mindelo, and falls steeply to the Atlantic Ocean to its north. The name means "the face mountain", for its resemblance of a reclining giant's face. The song Monte Cara was featured in the album Voz d'... -
