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Country Commercial Guides for FY 2000: Cape Verde Report prepared by U.S. Embassy Praia, released July 1999

CHAPTER IX:   Business Travel

Business Hours:   Government, banking and industry hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm. Commercial hours are Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 12:30 pm and 3:00 pm to 7:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

Holidays:
January 1, New Year's day
January 20, National Heroes' day
Ash Wednesday
Good Friday
May 1, Labor day
July 5,	Independence day
August 15, Assumption day
November 1, All Saints' day
December 25, Christmas

Travel Advisory and Visas: U.S. citizens must have visas and inoculations against yellow fever if they are coming from an endemic area. Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus immunizations are strongly recommended. Tourist groups may be visa-exempt when they inform officials in advance through a local travel agency.

Currency: The local currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) which is not convertible outside the country. Exchange rate is approximately CVE 100.00 for USD 1.00.

Credit Cards: Although the use of credit cards is not yet nationwide, some hotels accept the main international cards such as American Express. Exchanges are more easily made at financial institutions.

Transportation: Regular direct flights connect Sal island with New York, Lisbon, Paris, Amsterdam, Munich, Zurich, Bergamo, Johannesburg, Las Palmas and Madrid. In the summertime there are charter flights connecting Sal to Boston. Direct flights link Praia with Dakar, Bissau, Banjul and Conakry. Scheduled domestic air service connects Sal, Praia and Mindelo with most of the other islands. International shipping companies make regular stops at Mindelo and Praia. Small vessels operate inter-island services. Taxis are

Getting There: The fastest and the most common way to get to Cape Verde is by air. South African Airways in its route New York-Johannesburg makes daily stops at Sal international airport. Average air fare is approximately $1,000. Another alternative is through Lisbon, on Portuguese TAP.

Taxis and rental Cars: There are taxis on all the islands, particularly in the main urban centers. They are reasonably priced, numerous and available on main streets. The minimum charge is CVE 100. Rental cars are available in Praia, Mindelo and Sal. Special arrangements can also be made on other islands.

Accomodations: Accomodation is available on all the islands. There are good hotels on major urban centers. However, one should guarantee booking, either directly or through a travel agency, before departing. Room rates range from CVE 3000 to 7000.

Telecommunications: A satellite earth station in Praia links Cape Verde with the rest of the world. Fiber optics undersea cable connects all the islands. Cape Verde can be direct-dialed. International access code: 011. Country code: 238.

Cape Verde is 4 hours ahead of EST in Winter and 3 hours ahead in Summer.

Health: Sanitation is fair in Mindelo and Praia. Although these cities and other smaller villages have hospitals and healthcare centers, medical care is inadequate. All water supplies are unsafe for drinking. Bottled water is readily available. Uncooked vegetables should be avoided.

Climate and Clothing: Cape Verde has a dry, temperate climate with little temperature variation throughout the year. September is the warmest month - 26° C (80° F), and February is the coolest - 21° C (71° F). Rain is scarce; most falls between July and October. Strong northeast winds blow almost constantly.