Currency & Customs - Money
The unit of currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE), broken down into 100 centavos. The CVE is tied to the Euro at CVE 110.27 = 1 Euro.
Euros are generally accepted and we recommend that you take Euro Travellers Cheques. There is a fixed exchange rate of CVE110 to 1 euro. Visa is accepted on some islands but Mastercard, Cirrus, Maestro are still not widely accepted on the islands. If they are, surcharges of appx. 6% of the price will be levied, so we suggest cash as the best method of payment. Excursions can be paid by Visa or Cash.
There is a bureau de change at the airport, and local banks will change travellers cheques and foreign currency, although there is a high commission on travellers cheques. ATMs can be found at the airport and in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vicente. Major credit cards, particularly Mastercard and Visa are currently accepted in a few main resort hotels and restaurants. Banks will give cash on credit cards but commissions are high. To avoid additional charges, carry travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CVE5000, 2000, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CVE200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.
Currency Exchange
Available at the airport and in local banks. Currency cannot be reconverted, except in Portugal. There are ATMs found in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vincent.
Credit / Debit Cards and ATMs
Credit cards or Visa debit cards should be taken for withdrawing monies from ATM's as Maestro and Cirrus cannot be used yet on the islands . A few major hotels accept Visa. Currency can be obtained in banks from credit cards but charges are very high. ATMs can be found at the airport and in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vincent. Major credit cards, particularly Mastercard and Visa are currently accepted in a few main resort hotels and restaurants. To avoid additional charges, carry travellers cheques in US Dollars or Pounds Sterling.
Travellers Cheque Advice
Accepted in main towns and tourist areas. To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency Restrictions
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on arrival and on departure. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of CVE1,000,000 or the amount declared on arrival, whichever is the larger.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1400.
Exchange Rate Indicators
From the date January 2007
£1.00= CVE163.87
$1.00= CVE84.52
Customs Duty Free
The following goods may be imported into Cape Verde without incurring customs duty:
200 cigarettes; one litre of liquor; a reasonable amount of perfume, lotion and eau de cologne in opened bottles. Currency must be declared on arrival. The import or export of narcotics is strictly prohibited. In principle there is no free import of alcohol and tobacco products.
Also check out the duty free allowance in Cape Verde.