Cape Verde is one of the most manageable island destinations for families travelling with autistic children. If you’re planning a trip to Cape Verde with kids, it offers a rare mix of simplicity, structure and year-round sunshine. On top of that, there is compact resort towns, predictable beach routines and a slower daily rhythm that many children find regulating. Whether you are staying in Santa Maria on Sal, relaxing inside an all-inclusive resort or taking a short island transfer, Cape Verde tends to feel contained rather than overwhelming.
This Cape Verde travel guide walks you through how to plan a trip to Cape Verde with an autistic child – from practical preparation and airport navigation to choosing the right island base, selecting suitable activities and reducing day-to-day uncertainty.
Quick wins for visiting Cape Verde with autistic children:
- Choose one island base (Sal or Boa Vista are easiest)
- Stay in an all-inclusive resort for predictable routines
- Plan around heat — mornings and evenings are best
- Keep daily travel short and avoid over-scheduling
- Use pre-booked transfers instead of negotiating taxis
Step 1: Planning your Cape Verde trip with kids – practical information
Before booking flights, there are a few practical things to check.
Entry requirements for Cape Verde and passport validity
UK passport holders can usually enter Cape Verde visa-free for short tourist stays, but you must pre-register before travel and may need to pay an airport security tax. My guide to pre-registering for Cape Verde before you travel breaks down what you need to know about this process and how to do it. Always check the latest official government guidance before booking, as entry requirements can change.
Check how long you must have left on your passport before you travel, it differs between countries and can change.
Healthcare in Cape Verde and travel insurance
Healthcare facilities are limited compared to mainland Europe. This is one of the most important factors to plan for when travelling to Cape Verde with children. Serious medical cases may require evacuation to another country. Comprehensive travel insurance that covers pre-existing conditions, medication and additional support needs is essential. Do not assume a standard policy will cover complex medical or neurodivergent needs — check carefully.
Vaccinations required for visiting Cape Verde
There are no unusual vaccine requirements for most UK travellers, but always check current NHS travel health advice before departure. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date before travelling. The most reliable source for up-to-date travel vaccination guidance is from the NHS Inform travel vaccine information and TravelPro travel vaccine information.
Currency used in Cape Verde
The local currency is the Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE). Euros are widely accepted in tourist areas, particularly on Sal and Boa Vista, though change may be given in Escudos.
Card payments are accepted in larger hotels and resorts, but smaller shops and beach bars may be cash-only. I recommend carrying a mixture of both.
If you travel frequently or island-hop, a multi-currency travel card can reduce the risk of transactions being frozen mid-trip. I have had cards blocked when moving between ports or when my SIM was off and I missed bank texts — but my Wise card has consistently worked well. You can hold multiple currencies in-app and access a digital backup card in emergencies.
If you want a travel card that reduces the risk of frozen transactions while travelling between countries, you can explore Wise using my referral link: Wise referral
*Wise was previously known as Transferwise
Language spoken in Cape Verde
In Cape Verde, the official language is Portuguese. However, many people actually speak a dialect of Portuguese called Cape Verde Creole. This dialect blends Portuguese with African influences. Prepare key phrases in advance if your child finds language barriers stressful.
It is important to learn any key phrases related to your disability before you travel, and my guide about the importance of learning disability phrases explains all of this and includes a link to Lonely Planet’s free accessible travel phrases eBook. It includes 35 languages, one of which is Portuguese so is perfect for your trip to Cape Verde.
SIM cards and eSIM for Cape Verde
Mobile coverage is generally good on the main tourist islands such as Sal and Boa Vista. Resort Wi-Fi is widely available but can be inconsistent.
For autistic children who rely on devices for regulation, visual schedules or communication apps, stable data access makes a significant difference to daily predictability. Installing an eSIM before travel can remove one more airport stress point.
I use a mix of Trip.com eSims and Airalo. I like Trip.com for cheap local eSIMs, and Airalo when I want broader regional coverage. If you fancy trying Airalo you can use my referral code (NATASH7173) to get £2.50 off your first eSIM.
Medication rules for travelling to Cape Verde
Always travel with medication in original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription and/or a doctors letter. Learn what to include in your doctors letter from my guide for travelling with a doctors letter for medication. Research controlled medication rules for Cape Verde before you travel, and make sure you do any of the required paperwork or applications if they need them.
Step 2: Booking flights and managing the airport
Most visitors from the UK fly directly to Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal.
Sal’s airport is small and straightforward. It can feel warm and busy on arrival, but it is not complex. Transfers to Santa Maria typically take 15–25 minutes.
Consider:
- Booking airport special assistance in advance
- Understanding airline disability codes
- Using the Sunflower Lanyard for hidden disabilities
- Preparing for heat on arrival (light layers, water, hats)
Cape Verde operates on a relaxed island pace. Things may move more slowly than in Europe. Build in buffer time and expect queues to be less structured.
Helpful guides:
- How to get help at the airport as a disabled person
- Airport and airline disability codes
- The Sunflower Lanyard
Winter sun season (October to April) is especially popular. Expect peak flight demand during UK school holidays.
Step 3: Where to stay in Cape Verde with kids
Choosing where to stay in Cape Verde with kids is the most important decision you will make when planning your trip.
Sal offers:
- Compact resort zone (Santa Maria)
- Wide sandy beaches
- All-inclusive hotels
- Short airport transfers
- Water sports and boat trips
Sal works well if your child regulates best in a contained environment with a consistent daily routine.
Boa Vista offers:
- Quieter atmosphere
- Large dune landscapes
- Fewer crowds
- Resort-focused stays
- Long, open beaches
Boa Vista works well for families who prefer even slower days and fewer outside stimuli.
Santiago Island offers:
- The capital city of Praia
- More local culture and everyday Cape Verdean life
- Markets, music and historic sites
- Mountain landscapes and nature areas
- A wider range of towns and villages to explore
Santiago is the largest island in Cape Verde and feels very different from the resort-focused islands. It offers a deeper cultural experience but can also feel busier and less structured. Praia is a functioning capital city rather than a resort town, so traffic, noise and unpredictability can be higher. My guide to Praia with autistic children will be coming soon.
For many autism families, an all-inclusive resort can reduce daily decision fatigue. Buffet routines, fixed meal times and familiar food options provide predictability. If your child has a restricted diet, email ahead and ask about plain food options.
How to choose the best island in Cape Verde
Choose Sal if you want:
- The easiest and most developed tourist infrastructure
- Short airport transfers
- Walkable areas like Santa Maria
- A balance of resort and local town
Choose Boa Vista if your child:
- Prefers quieter environments
- Needs lower stimulation
- Enjoys open space and beach time
- Benefits from slower-paced days
Choose Santiago Island if you want:
- A more cultural, local experience
- City environments like Praia
- Greater variety of landscapes
- A less resort-focused trip
Step 4: Getting around Cape Verde with kids
Getting around Cape Verde with kids is relatively simple, especially on Sal and Boa Vista. Most families stay close to their resort or in Santa Maria town.
Transport options include:
- Hotel transfers
- Taxis
- Pre-booked private drivers
- Organised excursions
There is no metro system and public transport is limited. Pre-booking transfers removes negotiation stress.
Predictability reduces anxiety. Keep daily travel distances short and avoid over-scheduling.
Step 5: Things to do in Cape Verde with kids
Cape Verde is best approached as a low-pressure destination, with a focus on simple, sensory-friendly activities rather than busy itineraries. The key is choosing activities that support regulation rather than trying to fill every day.
On Sal you can consider:
- Santa Maria beach days
- Short catamaran trips
- Pedra de Lume salt crater visit
- Pier visits to watch fishermen
- Gentle quad or island tours (age dependent)
On Boa Vista:
- Dune landscapes
- Quiet beach walks
- Turtle season awareness tours (seasonal and guided)
When choosing activities, consider:
- Heat levels
- Wind (Cape Verde can be breezy)
- Shade availability
- Access to toilets
- Food access
- Clear exit routes
Morning and late afternoon are usually more comfortable. Midday heat can be intense, particularly for children sensitive to temperature.
Step 6: Visual planning and familiarisation
Before travelling to Cape Verde with an autistic child, familiarise your child with:
- Airport size and layout
- Resort photos
- Buffet setup
- Beach environment
- Transfer vehicles
Visual planning and familiarisation resources for travelling to Cape Verde with autism
Praia:
Use hotel walkthrough videos and Google Street View of Santa Maria to build familiarity. Seeing the sand colour, hotel pool layout or buffet style in advance can reduce first-day overwhelm.
Step 7: Visual supports and PECS
If your child uses visual communication, prepare in advance.
- Bumper pack of travel PECS
- Cape Verde PECS – coming soon
- Sal PECS – coming soon
- Free travel PECS pack
I continue creating destination-specific PECS as we travel so other families can benefit.
Step 8: Practical autism travel guides
- How to set up Google Maps accessibility feature
- Airport special assistance
- Airport and airline disability codes
- What is the DPNA code?
- Medical luggage policies for the top 25 global airlines
These guides cover the practical details that reduce last-minute stress.
Affiliate and booking information
Disclaimer: this page includes affiliate links. If you use one of them to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
I recommend using the GetYourGuide app, where you can apply my discount code AUTISMFAMILYTRAVELGUIDE5 to save some money.
It is best to install the GetYourGuide app, so you can have your tour and attraction tickets to hand.
This Cape Verde travel guide is designed to move you from uncertainty to clarity — but the next step is choosing the structure that works best for your child.
For a full list, check out our Cape Verde archives.