Getting around Cape Verde
Sao Vicente and Santa Antao
Sao Vicente has a regular scheduled bus service around all the main parts of Mindelo as well as aluguers. The most inexpensive way of getting around are the 'aluguers' that are easily identified and drive around town picking up passengers. Often overloaded with people and packages, you simply shout when you want to get off. Watch the time as generally 'aluguers' do not operate in the evenings. In Santa Antao there are often aluguers in the main squares of towns like Ribiera Grande or Ponta do Sol, which are usually much cheaper than on Sal. Taxis are readily available in the larger towns and are generally of a good standard. Although they work on a meter they can at times be creative so it is always worth checking what the fare is before setting off. As a guide a 2-3 mile journey would cost appx. 3 euros. The most inexpensive way of getting around are the buses that are easily identified and you have proper bus stops. The buses have a sign at the front saying where they are going to. It costs CVE 60 per person.
Sal
Travel within Sal is simple by taxi, which should cost no more than 6 euros by day or 10 euros at night. Until recently taxis would not cheat customers who do not speak Portuguese but reports suggest that this may be changing. So check the price first in euros. Alternatively you can flag down an Aluguer - usually a Japanese minibus or open pick-up with seats in the back. These cost no more than 60p for a journey and can be found waiting where the main highway starts at Espargos and Santa Maria. They depart when full up, which can take a while, especially at night. It is difficult to find one plying to Palmeira, which depart from a side street next to the largest minimarket. Warning. Beware touts and taxi drivers. Do not permit someone shouting taxi to grab your bag on arrival at Praia. You will be charged several euros for a tout pushing a trolley a few metres. Worse still you will likely be delivered to a taxi driver who will con you for an overcharge. The official fare in 500 escudos in day time but they may demand 1,000 or 2,000.
Travel around other Cape Verde islands
On other Cape Verde islands, Aluguers are less common in other islands. They usually travel between outlying villages and the main town early morning and late afternoon carrying commuters.There may not be a service at all at midday It is best to enquire of a driver, when he may be coming back or you could get stranded in some remote spot. Try asking "Quando voces va volta?" . Always negotiate before you enter.
Boa Vista
Aluguers in Boa Vista do not like to accept European passengers. They expect you to hire one yourself and take the full charge which can be as much as £20 or £30 for even a short journey. It is absolutely essential to haggle in advance. A half day trip visiiting one of the remote beaches will set you back by at least £40 to £50.
Fogo
In Fogo the aluguer driver tried to make us pay for the whole vehicle and then managed to fill it up entirely with other people. As we were able to speak Portuguese, we were able to enlist the aid of the other passengers to help us stop him from cheating us. Best to take a taxi from the port and stick to it if you find a good one.
Maio
The aluguers are very rare here and you may end up paying for a private one. If you can find where they stop in Vila do Maio by the local grocery shop and after a long enough wait you can share to be driven up the Coast past the airport.
Brava
The bench in the back of Manuel Burgos` Toyota Hiace pickup is the only possible transport here. Aluguers meet the boat with a planned schedule that usually excludes Faja, so you must phone him.