Menu
Cape Verde is located off the coast of northwest Africa and is made up of volcanic islands. It is also famous for its numerous beaches and its Afro-Portuguese Creole culture.
It’s a relatively “safe” place, you feel good there, safe.
Tarrafal is the main village on the island, this is where you can find ATMs, SIM card recharges, supermarkets etc., although you will find small shops in Ribeira Da Prata. If you want to visit Tarrafal, there are a few taxis that go back and forth between Ribeira Da Prata and Tarrafal. You can use any of them and they cost around 100 escudos (may vary) each way.
There are many activities around the island such as: – Diving – Kayaking – Camping – Barbecue sites – Trecks and rivers to cross – Restaurants and bars – Sports activities such as yoga or volleyball
Suggestions of places to visit during your stay in Santiago: – Old Town – Serra Malagueta Natural Park – Sucupira Market (Praia) – Plateau Market (Praia) – Serra do Pico de Antonia Natural Park – Baía do Inferno and Monte Angra Natural Park
The project is available every week. Volunteers arrive on Sunday and leave on Saturday.
You will arrive at Praia International Airport (RAI). The meeting point to meet our partners is planned at Square de Tarrafal, in front of the church.
Airport pickup is included upon arrival. It is advisable to have a few Euros on you (around 150 Eur) which can be exchanged at Praia airport for your personal use during your stay. At the airport exchange office, there will be an exchange fee.
If you wish and there is enough space in the volunteer house, you can be accommodated before the start of your volunteering/internship for an additional fee.
You can also find accommodation on your own while waiting for the start of the project.
Please note that neither Realstep nor our local partners can be held responsible for missed connections or delays in arriving on assignment. To go to the project outside the hours and days indicated in the project description, you will have to organize the transfer at your own expense and make a complaint to your airline or the travel service provider.
We will transfer all the necessary information to you, including the telephone number of the driver to contact.
From December 23 to January 5 (Christmas)
From February 28 to March 2 (Carnival)
From March 26 to April 4 (school holidays)
July 26 to 15 (exams)
From October 16 to 1 (holidays)
January 1 ( new year)
January 13 (Democracy and Freedom Day)
January 20 (National Heroes Day)
April 15 (holiday)
April 23 (Teacher’s Day)
May 1 (Labour Day)
June 1 (Children’s Day)
July 5 (Independence Day)
November 1 (Saints Day)
Wearing local clothing can help you establish good working relationships with the community.
We recommend that you bring:
– A mosquito repellent or insect repellent.
– If you have a yoga mat it would be good as you will be doing night patrols on the beach so the mat will be useful for sitting. (Turtle Project)
– Bring a headlamp with a red light option.
– Flip flops.
– Day bag
– Bottle of water
– Shorts, hiking pants, t-shirts, and of course, clothing of your choice.
– Sunglasses
The house does not have a washing machine. You can find many laundromats in the village.
You do not pay to participate in a mission, but for the general organization of your project. Your program costs also include local logistics. For example: clean and secure accommodation, meals, airport transfers, supervision by professional guides, coordinators or experienced instructors and 24/7 assistance.
Please see your program pricing details to view all items included in each program and destination.
In Cape Verde, the majority of people speak Portuguese. However, you will be led to discover some words of Creole, which is also widely spoken.
To work with children who generally do not speak English very well, it is strongly recommended to have some notions of Portuguese before participating in the project.
For all stays of more than one month, European nationals must obtain a visa.
We invite you to consult the official website of the Institut Pasteur for more information.
If you have a medical condition that requires you to take regular medication, we recommend that you bring enough for the duration of your stay. It is not guaranteed that you will be able to find medication locally.
The Cape Verdean escudo is the currency used mainly in all commerce. There are also ATMs in Tarrafal to withdraw money.
For this, please contact your project coordinator directly once on site.
He will help you make all the necessary arrangements.
Contact us
Latest news, new programs, travel ideas… one news per month guaranteed without spam!
