What actually happens to travelers here.
Major cities typically treat water, but rural areas and older infrastructure can be unreliable. Bottled water is a cheap insurance policy.
The system.
System: Public healthcare is available but limited. Hospital Agostinho Neto in Praia is the main facility. Private clinics on Sal and Santiago offer better care for tourists. Smaller islands have only basic health centers.
Quality: ★★★☆☆ Good
Moderate healthcare for a small island nation. Hospitals in Praia and Mindelo handle routine cases. Portuguese is the medical language. Some doctors speak English or French. Serious conditions require evacuation to Lisbon or Dakar.
Cape Verde is not a medical tourism destination. Patients needing specialist care travel to Lisbon (Portugal) or Dakar (Senegal).
Where to actually go.
Main national hospital. Largest facility in Cape Verde. Portuguese-speaking. Emergency department. Best equipped hospital in the country.
Second-largest hospital. Serves São Vicente and surrounding islands. Portuguese-speaking.
Regional hospital serving northern Santiago. Basic emergency care.
Health center on Sal Island. Basic care for tourists. For serious issues, transfer to Praia or evacuation is needed.
Finding what you need.
Access: Moderate
Hours: Pharmacies open 8am-7pm weekdays, 8am-1pm Saturday. Duty pharmacies (farmácia de serviço) operate after hours on rotation.
Prescription rules: Prescriptions required for antibiotics and controlled substances. Portuguese-language prescriptions expected. Many basic medications available OTC.
Pharmacies on Sal, Santiago, and São Vicente are reasonably stocked. Smaller islands have limited options. Portuguese is the primary language. Bring specialty medications from home.
Available over the counter
- paracetamol
- ibuprofen
- antihistamines
- antacids
- oral rehydration salts
- sunscreen
- insect repellent
Useful pharmacy phrases
- Preciso de medicamento para dor de cabeça
- Tenho dor de estômago
- Tenho alergias
- Onde fica a farmácia mais próxima?
- Preciso de um médico
Chains you'll see
- Farmácia Central — Green cross sign (Praia city center)
- Farmácia Moderna — Green cross sign (Mindelo, São Vicente)
Common OTC medications by local brand
- paracetamol/acetaminophen → Ben-u-ron / Paracetamol
Portuguese brands dominate. Ben-u-ron is the most common brand. - ibuprofen → Brufen / Ibuprofeno
Available at pharmacies in major towns. - loperamide (anti-diarrheal) → Imodium
Available at pharmacies in Praia and larger towns.
What you can't bring in.
Carry a doctor's letter listing all medications, ideally translated into Portuguese. Keep medications in original packaging. Bring extra supplies for inter-island travel.
Deep-dive guides for this country's restrictions: Opioids
Carry a doctor's letter, ideally in Portuguese. Keep in original packaging.
Bring documentation from prescribing physician.
If something breaks.
Availability: Limited dental care in Praia and Mindelo. Very few options on tourist islands like Sal.
Cost range: $30-70 for consultation; $50-200 for procedures
Private dental clinics in Praia offer basic care. Portuguese-speaking. Equipment varies.
What you actually need.
🛡️ Recommended
Average cost: $30-60/week
Strongly recommended. Medical evacuation to Lisbon or Dakar may be needed for serious conditions. Ensure coverage includes water sports and hiking activities.
Filing a claim
Hospitals require upfront payment (Cape Verdean Escudo or Euros accepted). Keep all receipts. Documentation may be in Portuguese — request English copies if possible.
What it costs out of pocket.
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Doctor visit (private) | $25-60 |
| ER visit | $50-150 |
| Overnight hospital stay | $80-250 |
| Ambulance | $20-60 |
Estimated typical out-of-pocket costs. Local currency is Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), pegged to the Euro. Euros widely accepted.
When local won't cut it.
Primary destination: Lisbon (Portugal)
Secondary destination: Dakar (Senegal) or Las Palmas (Canary Islands)
Typical cost band: $30,000-100,000
Common providers: Global Rescue, MedJet, International SOS
Medical evacuation insurance is recommended. Lisbon is the most common evacuation destination due to strong Portuguese ties and direct flights. Las Palmas is closer for emergencies from northern islands.
What to get done before you fly.
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Routine vaccinations
Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from an endemic country. Dengue and Zika have been reported. No malaria risk.
The Bali belly prevention guide.
Tap water: Use caution — Tap water quality varies by island. Bottled water is recommended, especially on smaller islands. Resorts on Sal and Boa Vista generally provide safe drinking water. Cape Verde is a dry country — water scarcity is common.
Food safety
Food at restaurants is generally safe. Fresh seafood is a highlight but ensure it is well cooked. Cachupa (national stew) is safe at restaurants. Be cautious with raw shellfish and street food.
In crisis abroad.
English-speaking therapists: Very limited. Some Portuguese-speaking counselors in Praia.
Mental health services are limited. Bring all psychiatric medications from home.
International crisis support: findahelpline.com — crisis lines in 130+ countries.
Getting around with mobility needs.
Accessibility is limited. Cobblestone streets in historic towns are challenging. Newer resorts on Sal have better accessibility.
Hospital accessibility: Hospital Agostinho Neto has basic wheelchair access. Smaller health centers are less accessible.
Accessible transport: No accessible public transport. Taxis available. Inter-island flights are the main transport between islands.
Sal Island resorts have the best accessibility in Cape Verde. Historic towns like Cidade Velha have cobblestone streets. Confirm accessibility with specific hotels before booking.
Entry rules + local status.
Entry requirements: No COVID testing or vaccination requirements for entry as of 2026.
Mask policy: No mask mandates.
Testing availability: Available at hospitals in Praia and Mindelo.
Dengue, sun exposure, and water scarcity are more relevant health concerns for travelers.
Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) travel health, answered.
What we checked.
- US Department of State — travel advisory for this country
- CDC Travelers' Health
- US Embassy Praia
- Cape Verde Ministry of Health
- WHO