Need some Cape Verde travel insurance advice? Well, you’ve come to the right place to arm yourself with the tips and protection pointers that you will need, if you’re heading to Cape Verde’s glorious beaches and island chill zones.
The truth of the matter, as Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal, on July 5 is that its healthcare facilities are limited. If you dig beneath the façade of palm-fringed shores and seemingly modern hotels, there is a worrying lack of medical infrastructure. That should send the alarm bells ringing and instantly signal that travel insurance back-up is absolutely necessary.
Mindelo - Photo by Felix Brüning on Unsplash
Cape Verde travel insurance advice and healthcare situations
The travel insurance policy you will need for Cape Verde is a worldwide one. Cape Verde lies 385 miles (620km) off the coast of West Africa.[1] It is not, therefore, classed as Europe.
You should also make sure you have a good level of medical and repatriation cover. This is because Cape Verde is an archipelago, with 10 islands, such as Sal, Boa Vista and Maio, to explore. On many of those islands, healthcare facilities are basic. The largest hospitals are to be found in Praia on Santiago (the capital of Cape Verde) and in Mindelo on São Vicente. Although the island of Boa Vista is a regular destination for holidaymakers, its medical care is particularly poor.
Should you fall ill on an island where healthcare professionals are few and far between and resources limited, you would have no alternative but to try to reach either another island. You might even have to be transported to another country, to get the right care, or brought back to your home country.
Medical repatriation and Cape Verde
This can be financially crippling, if you are left having to pay for medical repatriation, via an air or sea ambulance, out of your own pocket. Logistically, it’s also hard to arrange. Why would you even think of putting yourself in this position when a travel insurance policy can provide access to all the medical repatriation and support facilities that you might require? And here it also pays to note that the islands of Brava and Santo Antão have no airport. You really would need an expert to help you off those islands and get you into the right medical hands as quickly as possible.
The GHIC rules in Cape Verde
The other thing you must recognise is the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) is not accepted in Cape Verde.[2] Unless you have travel insurance, you will have to personally pay for every aspect of care that you receive.
Possible health scenarios in Cape Verde
Things that might force you into the hands of medical professionals include altitude sickness. Some parts of Cape Verde are over 2500 metres above sea level – the height at which altitude sickness can become a problem. With hikes up the Pico do Fogo volcano a draw for some travellers, and taking them to 2829 metres, it’s easy to see where a problem might emerge.
Just ask the 836 people currently taking legal action against their tour company, having fallen seriously ill in eight different hotels in Cape Verde, about the need for medical back-up. Gastric illness is no laughing matter at any time but if care is limited – and you are having to pay for it personally – it’s even worse. In these cases, travellers suffered illnesses linked to shigella, E Coli and salmonella poisoning.[3]
Other needs for medical back-up and travel insurance cover
Injuries could also occur whilst you are throwing yourself into some of the activities available in Cape Verde. That might be snorkelling, a quad bike adventure, scuba diving or even just a gentle cruise around the islands or a spot of whale watching. An untimely slip on deck could cause a broken bone or nasty cut.
Before you take part in any type of activity, do check that your travel insurance policy covers it. If not, you could invalidate your policy protection.
Then there are notorious travel delays in Cape Verde, for those trying to island hop. Travel insurance could be a friend, if all your plans go awry thanks to one of the regular lengthy delays. The same is true if your baggage goes missing, as you traverse the islands.
What to do in Cape Verde
At least, if you have packed travel insurance, you can relax in Cape Verde and really soak up what is great about the destination. That includes a vibrant local music scene, creole culture and, of course, the glorious white sandy beaches and stunning sunsets.
There are some lovely places to explore, such as the capital of Sal – Espargos – with its vibrant coloured houses, traditional restaurants and artisan souvenirs.
Memories might be made seeing the mirage at Terra Boa, or visiting Buracona, known as the Blue Eye pool. Walking into shallow waters at Shark Bay, surrounded by lemon sharks, could be another unforgettable experience. And how about being unable to sink, in true Dead Sea fashion, but this time whilst bathing in the saltpan environment of Pedra de Lume?
Around 1 million Brits alone are now heading to Cape Verde, to enjoy its year-round sunshine and warmth and very different culture. If you’re planning on joining them, just remember to pack travel insurance for those unexpected negative eventualities.
Taking traveller precautions in Cape Verde
Use some common sense, in terms of handwash hygiene. Do not eat uncooked and raw foods or undercooked eggs, and do not have ice in drinks. Drink only bottled water.
If intending to hike, tackle altitude sensibly and do not go it alone. Only go walking with a local guide and be equipped for the climb and hot weather, in every way.
If just going for a stroll, run your plans past hotel staff and check it will be safe. If your walk will be a little longer, leave details of your itinerary with your hotel, carry a charged mobile phone, lots of water, a sun hat, sunscreen and a sun umbrella. Never rely on just your phone and online maps to do more than that when walking. If you want to traverse between beaches, or move between villages, only do so with the help of local guides. Local knowledge is everything.
That also applies with regard to sea currents and riptides and any other dangers you might encounter. Reach out to your hotel staff and other trusted locals and ask for their advice. They can be your best friends in Cape Verde, helping to keep you safe and out of harm’s way.
Travel vaccines for Cape Verde
If pregnant, or considering becoming pregnant soon after your trip, think carefully whether travel to Cape Verde is right for you. There is Zika Virus[4] here and no vaccine available to protect against it.
On that note, you should also make sure you have the vaccines that are available and recommended for Cape Verde. This is hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. There are others to consider too and, if you have transited through a country with a yellow fever risk, you will also need to have a yellow fever certificate, provided when you have a yellow fever vaccine.
Other safety advice for Cape Verde
Watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and keep a good watch over possessions. Don’t wander into quiet and desolate zones after dark and remember that what seem everyday gadgets to us can be highly attractive to others. Do not flash your wealth around or make yourself an attractive target.
Do all of this and Cape Verde could become your new favourite holiday hotspot. Europesure Travel Insurance is here to back that plan up, the minute you book your trip, whether you allow us to protect you with a single or annual trip travel insurance policy.
Main photo: The Blue Eye - Photo by Peace Itimi on Unsplash
[1] https://www.britannica.com/place/Cabo-Verde
[2] https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde/health
[3] https://www.thetimes.com/travel/advice/is-it-safe-to-visit-cape-verde-right-now-everything-to-know-after-food-poisoning-claims-9ccpwgb2k
