Region

Fogo

Stay 2‑3 nights in São Filipe; hike Pico do Fogo and explore Chã das Caldeiras.

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Key facts · Cape Verde

Best months: Apr–May, Oct–Nov
Visa: Depends on your passport
Currency: Cape Verdean escudo
Language: Portuguese (official)
Plugs: C · F · 220 V
Time zone: UTC−1 all year

Month by month hereIn detail ↓

Rules in force · 7Nine African countries on this site have no trip line bec…

Africa ↗When a route touches a yellow-fever country — even a transit of 12 hours or more — keep the original yellow card (ICVP) in your hand luggage; health desks and airlines can refuse boarding or entry without it.
Africa ↗Nine African countries on this site have no trip line because governments advise against travel; several others have no-go regions. Read your government's advice for every country on the route before paying deposits.
African islands ↗Sleep on the island you fly home from the night before your long-haul departure; inter-island flights and ferries in this region are cancelled or rescheduled often enough to break a same-day connection.
African islands ↗In the Indian Ocean islands book flexible rates for December to March: a cyclone warning can shut airports, ferries and roads for two or three days.
Cape Verde ↗Complete the EASE pre-registration and pay the airport security fee (TSA) on the official platform at least 5 days before arrival; from July 2026 arriving without it doubles the fee at the border (check your passport's visa rules there too).
Cape Verde ↗Confirm ferries and inter-island flights the day before; sea conditions and schedules change at short notice.
Cape Verde ↗Swim only on beaches known to be safe: Atlantic swell and currents are strong on most coasts, and lifeguards are rare outside Santa Maria.

Fogo is a volcanic island centered on Pico do Fogo (2,829 m). The main draw is the summit hike (guide required) and the Chã das Caldeiras valley with wine villages and ridge treks. Base in São Filipe for easy airport access and accommodation.

Where to sleep

1 place in this region

São FilipeCity guide
Main town, airport, hotels and restaurants.
Best Nov–Jun
JFMAMJJASOND
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Plan the nights

How to split the nights, day-trips and what to do with your bags

Open Plan the nightsClose Plan the nights3 partsNights · Day-trips · Bags

Night sequences

2 nights: São Filipe base, hike Pico do Fogo, optional Chã das Caldeiras trek
3 nights: São Filipe base, hike Pico do Fogo, two‑day Bordeira ridge trek, wine‑village visit

Guided hike required for Pico do Fogo for safety.
Beach currents can be strong; swim only where lifeguard is present.

Day-trips door to door

To	From	Door-to-door p50	Last return	Note
Chã das Caldeiras	São Filipe	30 min	check	Guided tours start early; drive takes ~30 min each way.

Bags between cities

Local luggage forwarding is limited; most visitors carry their own bags.

When to go

Months and weather

Open When to goClose When to go2 partsSeasons · Climate

Seasons at a glance

From each city's month table

Pick a month to see where to go.

Only good-now countries

Show all 12 months, country by countryHide the 12-month table

Country	JJan	FFeb	MMar	AApr	MMay	JJun	JJul	AAug	SSep	OOct	NNov	DDec
São Filipe	go	go	go	go	go	go	×	×	×	×	go	go
Cape Verde (country-wide)	go	go	go	go	go	go	go	ok	ok	ok	go	go

Go: the good monthsFair: workable, mixedPoor: heat, rain or hazeAvoid: storms, floods, closuresno data yet

Computed from each country’s own data; hover a country name for the source. Advisory countries are left out.

Climate strip

Month by month

Zone	J	F	M	A	M	J	J	A	S	O	N	D
Fogo islandentire island	cool	cool	cool	best	best	wet	wet	wet	wet	best	best	cool

best: dry, mildcool: jacket, greywet: daily rain

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

Peak heat in August can exceed 30 °C (86 °F).Peak heat in August can exceed 86 °F (30 °C).

Getting in and passes

Arrival times and regional passes

Open Getting in and passesClose Getting in and passes1 partGet in

Get in

Door-to-door p50, 2026 estimate

From	To	How	p50	Note
Praia (Santiago)	São Filipe Airport (SFL)	Domestic flight, ~45 min	~45 min door‑to‑door	Right‑hand side seat gives best volcano view.
Praia	São Filipe	Ferry, ~2 h	~2 h door‑to‑door	Check schedule; may not run Sundays.

Eat and move on

Regional food and where to go next

Open Eat and move onClose Eat and move on2 partsFood · Go next

Regional food

Where and when it works

Dish	Where	Timing / trap
Cachupa	Cafe Fixe, São Filipe	Bean‑corn stew with fish or chicken.
Fresh fish	Local market, São Filipe	Daily catch, grilled or stewed.

Go next

Santiago

planned

Ferry ~2 h from São Filipe

Capital Praia and historic Cidade Velha.

São Vicente

planned

Ferry via Mindelo, ~4 h total

Music scene and Mindelo town.

Planning aids

Built from this guide's own data

Open Planning aidsClose Planning aids2 partsIn numbers · Going in…

Region in numbers

Where to sleep: 1 base
Day trips: 1, 30 min
Nights suggested: 2–3 nights
Ways in: 2 listed
Best months: Apr, May, Oct, Nov

Going in…

Pick a month for the weather in each zone of the region, plus the country-wide rating and holidays.

Pick a month.

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Deep dive

Photos, reading and every source

Open Deep diveClose Deep dive1 partSources

Sources

secondaryWikivoyage: Fogo, revision 5263655 (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Ask about Fogo

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