The place looks beautiful. Haven't heard of this place or the music festival before. The souvenir shops are selling some interesting artifacts. Thanks for the share

Many thanks Swati. Cape Verde is very diverse and each island is so different. Some are particularly cool to hike, others like "Sal" Island are perfect for beach holidays.

Hiii... lots and lots of other things to do... places and people to see!
If you are the type o person that values a simple smile and a simple sunset or sunrise(in my case), you'll have a great time there!
What i would advice to do first, is:
- Know your TIME, plan that carefully, because you ARE going to be taken away bay some things and loose track of it!
- Know what type of things you like/want to do, because each island if different (like Paulina said), and it takes same time to get from one to the other
- If you do have time, visit them all! You'll have almost 'different realities' on each one!
You'll find all type of people, from all type of races, living and settled there! from Fishermen to Agriculturist, from Farmer to Teacher, from Policemen to Businessmen... and a lot of cute tourists just like you! :P
Take Care, have fun!

Many thanks Jose for such a complete comment. In deed every island is so different. I hope that in the future travel ways will improve, since the ferry schedules were very hard to get and many discouraged us to take a ferry. Then the flights between the islands are quite expensive. But it is all worth it. I can't wait to come back and visit the southern isands like Brava and Fogo. They must be impressive.

;)
Fogo is... "i guess it gives you a STRONG feeling", like it's "empty" of emotion on the surface, but waiting to erupt (you'll get what i mean) ... like an older Brother that's strong and active on the inside, and calm and peaceful on the outside!
Brava is like the little Sister! LOL Cute, Small, and always with a flower on her hair! ;)

The views from the top of Monte Verde are stunning! It would be at the top of my list. Calhau seems like a peaceful little village to spend some relaxing time. I wouldn't mind trying out some of their seafood either! Thanks for sharing.

Many thanks Riely, Sao Vicente is still not so known, but there are so many things to do: hiking, outdoor sports, cultural life etc.

you forgot:
local gastronomy, dancing, beach walk(actually in the main City, Laginha Beach) and swim obviously! among lots of other things... (you did try those, didn't you Paulina??? :P )
get in touch with locals, they love to practice their 'I'nglish! They will be more than happy to help! LOL

Calhau Looks like an awesome place for some peace and quiet. I love little fishing villages like the sounds of this one. Especially if they have good seafood restaurant! Great guide, the hike looks amazing but I'd probably be wherever I can find some watersports to try!

I love São Vicente (how could i not... i was born there... lol)
but honestly, SPORTS, you are better off with SAL or BOA VISTA!
You'll get lost there lol! In the sand an dunes... and you'll absolutely LOVE IT!

well, we have a lot of wind (in a good way, i mean)
so we do have a lot of wind related sports (and water related sports)
from Surf to Body Board, Kite-surf, Delta-wing... lots of stuff...
(but it's not cheap, even for "tourism standards", because we can't get ANY of the materials locally, so it comes with a fee...)
I'd recommend 'simple' things... unless you really are for that type of things ;)
Take Care ;)

Many thanks for your comment. Altough Sao Vicente is not so touristy, there are so many things to do: especially if you like hiking, outdoor sports etc.

Music festival on a gorgeous place like that would be great. Shame they don't transmitted internationally. I would love to see it even though just on screen.

Many thanks for your comment. I missed the festival but after hearing all the positive things I really would return just to attend.

Hiii... don't even try to see it through a piece of glass! :P
Seriously! You have to feel it! You have to be there! ;)

I would love to go to Cape verde and hike the Monte Verde, the views from up there are really beautiful. The Kiwi Caipirinha sound delicious and the perfect drink to accompany you at a concert. The paintings in the market make perfect souvenirs.

Hellooo,
Caipirinha is NOT a local drink... and you can have it anywhere... what we do there is, we mix it with one or two local drinks("Água Ardente" ou "Grogue")... what you should try, is something called "Ponche" or "Pontche"... (it's totally local, also from "Grogue" mixed with Coconuts, or Honey, Tamarindus, or lot's of different flavors...) you WILL like it!
(If you do can handle it, pure "Grogue" shots is the way to go)
;)

Many thanks for your comment. The Caipis ares simply delicious and I imagine they must be healthy to some extend... with all those fruits like kiwi, maracuja etc. :)

When you mentioned Caipirinhas in the Elvis bar I got excited, just at the thought of a regular lime one. But then I read that he has Maracuja Caipirinhas, passion fruit is my favourite juice and mixed with a Caipirinha it has to be a winner! My Portuguese is OK depending on the accent I'm listening to, so it would be interesting to watch a Portuguese movie.

Many thanks James. Only the Caipis at Elvis Bar are already worth a visit. They are simply delicious :)

hiii which Elvis, "Elvis Wahnon"? he has a bar?... lol
(lot's of "Elvis" there might just be a different one!)
the one i know has a Diving School or Diving company of something! lol....
(Yes, from São Vicente, Cabo Verde)
this one:
https://www.facebook.com/el...

Hey Jose, his bar is called "Bar Elvis", it's just in front of the marina.

Hello man...
Caipirinhas are from Brasil! (there's only good things coming from Brasil, it's impressive! LOL )
but if you ask me.... we do it better! :P
Take Care! ;)

Cape Verde has been on my list for a while, but I knew nothing of the music festival here. It seems so full of life and colour - hopefully i'll get to Cape Verde sooner rather than later!

Many thanks for your comment. That is such a good decision to put Cape Verde on your bucket list. There are so many things to do. Especially if you enjoy hiking.

Wow if you keep talking about Hiking, i'll just gonna have to show you other places to go there!!!
By the way Paulina, tell-me which places you DID go hiking in São Vicente...
(i don't even think I know them all! LOOL)

Hiii...
well i'll just Copy-Paste an other comment i just made... because i'm lazy! LOL but you'll get the point:

Hiii... don't even try to see it through a piece of glass! :P
Seriously! You have to feel it! You have to be there! ;)

This place looks peaceful, the beach is very relaxing plus the fact that there are a lot of seafoods! I would love to hike up the Monte Verde, the view is amazing! The souvenir shops looks interesting as well. They've got very artistic culture. Thanks for introducing this place!

Many thanks for your positive comment. Cape Verde is still not so known as a destination, but it is definitely worth a visit since it has beaches and mountains to hike. I can only recommend it.

you are going to like all those things that you are already expecting... but what you'll LOVE, is what you're not expecting at all...
my advice:
- Don't buy stuff! (Honestly... we, as in Capeverdians, are better at making moments/experiences
/memories than Artifacts!)
Read my other comments, and choose a rout, a topic or destination there... depending on the type of experience you want to have there... and HAVE IT! don't "buy memories", CREATE THEM! ;)
Take Care!

I woukd like to be there to show u the other parts of Sao Vicente... I know that all this landscapes u shows here are very attractful for tourist... but for those that know the island knows that is only a part opof the paradise... thanks for showing my island abroad...

Many thanks Denis for your comment. I am sure that I missed some parts of Sao Vicente... even after living there for more than 1 month. I would love to come back and then you HAVE to show me more hidden gems of this pretty island :)

I'm sure you'll love it! ;)
Take Care!

Dzê lá Denis! "Sáb ca ta doê!" !!! xD

My sister-in-law is traveling to Cape Verde soon, so I can pass her your tips! Many thanks for sharing!

Oh that's lovely! Where exactly is she going? Every island is o different. I just saw the map of this post is bugging... will fix that asap :)

I find it funny and sweet that you have included to bring your boyfriend in a vintage barber shop. It is a good travel tip too because we really cannot expect our partners to have similar interests like we do.
Cape Verde sounds like a lot of fun. It is a place for nature lovers and art enthusiasts. I will add this on my bucket list.

Iza c/o Kathy James (Walk About Wanderer)

Many thanks for your comment. It was a compromise that I had to do: I would get pampered in a barber shop and I went shopping on an African market. Cape Verde is definitely worth a visit: every island is so different.