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When to go · Cape Verde

Cape Verde in January

Great month. Dry, breezy and warm; peak European winter-sun season on Sal and Boa Vista.

Key facts

Verdict
Great
Crowds
High
Cape Verde
Prices
High
Cape Verde

Verdict

GreatVoykit month rating for Cape Verde

Dry, breezy and warm; peak European winter-sun season on Sal and Boa Vista.

Is another month better than January?

No other month rates higher than January for Cape Verde in this guide.

Weather in January

  • Flat eastern islands · Sal, Boa Vista, Maiobest weather

    Sunny and dry almost all year, 24–30 °C (75–86 °F); windy December–April (kitesurf season); a few storms in September.

  • Mountain islands · Santo Antão, Fogo, Santiago interior, São Nicolau, Bravabest weather

    Cooler and cloudier on the heights; the brief rains of August–October turn the valleys green but can wash out trails.

  • São Vicente and Mindelo · São Vicentefine

    Windy and sometimes hazy with Saharan dust (bruma seca) in winter.

  • Fogo: Fogo island · entire islandcool

    Rainy season July–October; trails can be slippery. November–June offers drier, cooler conditions.

  • Praia26 °C (79 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 0 rain days
  • Boa Vista26 °C (79 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 1 rain days
  • Chã das Caldeiras24 °C (75 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days
  • Cidade Velha27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Maio25 °C (77 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 1 rain days
  • Mindelo26 °C (79 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Santo Antão22 °C (72 °F) / 17 °C (63 °F), 2 rain days
  • São Filipe27 °C (81 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tarrafal de Monte Trigo25 °C (77 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 2 rain days
  • Tarrafal24 °C (75 °F) / 19 °C (66 °F), 2 rain days

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • New Year's Day

    1 Jan

    Public holiday.

  • Democracy Day

    13 Jan

    Marks the first multiparty elections of 1991.

  • National Heroes' Day

    20 Jan

    Anniversary of Amílcar Cabral's assassination.

  • Christmas and year-end

    Dec 25–Jan 1 · Praia

    Diaspora visitors fill flights and hotels; book ahead.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Cape Verde
High
Prices · Cape Verde
High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Cape Verde, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Great

    Feb: Great

  • Crowds

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Prices

    Jan: High

    Feb: High

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 4

    Feb: 2

January: Dry, breezy and warm; peak European winter-sun season on Sal and Boa Vista.

February: Carnival in Mindelo (February or March); strong trade winds for kitesurfing.

Cape Verde: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Where to go in January

Rated best or good this month