The Cape Verde islands are a small group of tropical Islands approximately 500km off the West coast of Africa. Cape Verde has an all year round warm climate and very little rainfall. Cape Verde has seen a booming tourist industry and this is attracting more property buyers who are looking to find their dream property in Cape Verde. With its endless kilometres of white sandy beaches, turquoise coloured seas and a pro-tourism Government, Cape Verde has a prosperous future ahead.
Cape Verde is located approximately 500 km off the coast of Senagal (West coast of Africa) and due south of the Canary islands.
Cape Verde was discovered in 1462 by the Portuguese when they landed on Sao Tiago and it was controlled as a colony of Portugal for over 500 years. On July 5, 1975, Cape Verde was granted independence from Portugal and became its own independent country with a Cape Verde Government. Since 1990, Cape verde has been a stable, multi-party democracy with no religious, racist or regional conflict. There is no civil unrest in the country. In recent years, Cape Verde has become focused on brining in hotel and real estate developers to develop its touristic economy. Since 1996, Tourism has increased in Cape Verde and it has accelerated over the last few years with the advent of brand name hotels such as the Riu Hotel (Sal, Boa Vista), Iberostar (BoaVista), Sol Melia hotel (Sal) and Nikki Beach hotel (Sao Vicente).
The currency used in Cape Verde is Cape Verde Escudo (CVE). £1 = 162.750 Cape Verde Escudo 1 Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) = 0.009069 Euro (EUR). The currency of Cape Verde is Cape Verdean escudos. It has a fixed exchange rate with the euro at 1€ = 110.265 escudos. In Sal, Boa Vista and Sao Vicente islands, euros are accepted everywhere and the islanders usually work an exchange rate of € 1 to 100 esc. Santiago island continues to predominately use Cape Verdean escudos, however euros are being more widely accepted in hotels and restaurants.
The standard of health care is very close to European standards. There are a number of hospitals as well as private health clinics (which would rival most European health clinics). The majority of Doctors here have been trained in westernized Europe and America or they have come in from places such as Cuba and Spain. Most Cape Verdeans enjoy a good standard of health care and most of the general ailments can be catered for within Cape Verde. It is only certain diseases which require specialized treatment that cannot be catered for here. For these more serious health issues, patients have to visit Portugal for treatment (e.g. cancer).
Cultural identity is important to the Cape Verdeans with their own distinct style of music, dance, language, lifestyle and food. There is an incredible choice of fish and seafood as well as local dishes made from a wide choice of home grown fruit (coconut, mango, papaya, dates and sugar cane) and vegetables (maize, beans, cassava and sweet potato). The local rum is called ―grogue‖ and it is worth trying – just beware of its potent strength!
There are plenty of activities to do in Cape Verde. Surrounded by water it comes as no surprise that the Cape Verdeans are sea loving people. Swimming, surfing, windsurfing, snorkling, diving and fishing are an integral part of sports. Sal is world renowned for its windsurfing and the current world champion, Josh Angulo, lives on the island. Sao Vicente island has some of the best marlin fishing in the world. In recent years, some of the largest blue marlin have been caught in the waters of Cape Verde. Cape Verdeans are also football mad. Football fields are strewn across the islands and most of the local people have a passion for Portuguese and English football. San Antao island receives a high number of tourists who like to do outdoor pursuits with it large mountainous region and lush tropical vegetation giving a perfect backdrop for exercise. More recently extreme sports have also been introduced to the island.
Cape Verde´s natural resources (other than an abundance of fish from the surrounding ocean) include volcanic rock (used in cement production) and limestone. Cape Verde also has an abundance of wind and sunshine which may prove extremely important for providing renewable energy to the country in the future. The economy is service-oriented, wth commerce, transport and public services accounting for more than 70% of GDP. Although nearly 70% of the population lives in rural areas, agriculture and fishing contribute only about 10% of the GDP. About 20% of the GDP comes from expatriate Cape Verdeans. From 1994 to 2000 foreign investment amounted to US$407 million, of which 58% was tourism, 17% was industry, 4% was infrastructure and 21% was fisheries and services.
Click here for the About Cape Verde PDF.
There are many reasons to invest in Cape Verde. A stable political democratic system, an all year round warm climate, good rental potential, good long term capital appreciation and Government investment in Infrastructure are just some of the many reasons to invest in Cape Verde. Use our search tool to look for Properties in Cape Verde to see some typical examples.
We have put together a document to give a list of reasons to purchase in Cape Verde. Download the PDF of this document to give a list of reasons to purchase in Cape Verde here.
Thinking of buying a Cape Verde Property? We have all the information from the promissory contract to signing at the notary. We also have the purchasing costs such as notary costs and taxes. Read the capital gains tax on property in Cape Verde and more. Our guide is designed to give you an overview of the buying process of purchasing a Cape Verde Property. Use our search tool to look for Properties for sale in Cape Verde or Properties for rent in Cape Verde.
We have put together a document that details a guide to purchasing in Cape Verde. Download the PDF of this document that details a guide to purchasing in Cape Verde here.
It is possible for all non-residents to obtain a mortgage from a Cape Verdean bank. Cape Verde Mortgages are available to those who can prove they have the means to repay the mortgage.
We have put together a document that details a guide to Mortgages in Cape Verde. Download the PDF of this document that details a guide to Mortgages in Cape Verde here.
Flights to Cape Verde from the UK and parts of Europe are mainly being made by Thompsons. They are flying into Sal and Boa Vista at the moment and may enter some of the other islands in the future. There are other airlines flying from other destinations such as TAP Portugal, Angolan airlines, XL (France) to cape verde. There is speculation that Ryan Air are wanting to bring flights into Cape Verde.
There are 4 international airports in Cape Verde. These are located on Sal, Santiago, Boa Vista and (shortly) Sao Vicente. Click here for full PDF document of flight information.
Take one of our inspection trips to Cape verde. Meet one of Ohlsson Properties' professional sales team in Sal or Sao Vicente. We have a range of properties from land, apartments and villas.
We have put together a document that details a guide to Inspection Trips in Cape Verde. Download the PDF of this document that details a guide to Inspection Trips in Cape Verde here.
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