Boa Vista is easy to prepare, with one condition: don't forget the only truly mandatory formality before you arrive. EASE is an online registration, with a fee to pay, that every traveller must complete before entering Cape Verde. Everything else (flights, money, language) is much simpler. Here is the complete guide.
EASE: the mandatory registration
EASE (the official Cape Verde platform) combines two things: an online form to fill in before the trip and payment of the airport security tax, around 3,400 escudos (CVE), roughly €31 per traveller. Children under 2 are exempt.
⚠️ Do it before you leave, not on arrival. Complete your EASE online several days before departure (the platform recommends at least 5 days) and keep the confirmation on your phone or printed: you may be asked for it on arrival. Doing it on the spot is possible but means queues.
Only use the official site: ease.gov.cv. Look-alike sites charge extra fees.
The form asks for the usual details: identity and passport, travel dates, arrival airport, flight number and your accommodation details. Have them ready before you start.
Go to ease.gov.cv and choose your language.
Passport, flight, dates and your accommodation address. One form per traveller.
About 3,400 CVE (≈ €31) per person, paid online on the platform.
Save the document you receive and show it on arrival, with a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Flights and arriving on Boa Vista
Boa Vista airport (Aristides Pereira, code BVC) is about 5 km from Sal Rei, roughly a twelve-minute drive. Depending on the season, direct flights connect the island to several European countries; otherwise you can fly via the island of Sal and continue to Boa Vista on a domestic flight. Plan your transfer (taxi or hotel shuttle) before landing.
Money: euros, escudos and cards
On Boa Vista, euros are accepted almost everywhere in tourist areas (hotels, restaurants, agencies). For small purchases from local shops, a few escudos come in handy. Cash machines are few and concentrated in Sal Rei: withdraw cash when you pass by rather than at the last minute, and always keep some cash on you. Cards work in the better-equipped places, but not everywhere.
Language, sun, water: the right habits
The official language is Portuguese, and daily life is lived in Cape Verdean Creole (Kriolu). In tourism you get by very well in English and often in French, Italian or German. A “obrigado” (thank you) and a “bom dia” (good morning) are always appreciated.
The sun is intense all year and the wind gives a false sense of coolness: sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat from day one. Drink bottled water, and consider travel insurance. For health and vaccinations, follow the official recommendations of your home country.
Your pre-departure checklist
- EASE completed and paid for every traveller, confirmation saved
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after arrival
- Driving licence (category B) if you rent a quad or a scooter
- Accommodation address written down, useful for EASE and for our pick-ups
- Euros in cash and a bank card
- Sun protection, sunglasses, hat, light clothes and a light jacket for the wind
- Excursion, quad or scooter booked in advance, especially in high season
Once you're there, everything is designed to keep things simple: online booking, confirmation within the hour and, for excursions, pick-up straight from your accommodation.
Frequently asked questions
Is EASE compulsory to travel to Boa Vista?
How much does EASE cost?
Where do I do EASE?
Do I need a visa?
Ready for your Boa Vista adventure?
Excursion, quad or scooter: pick your way to discover the island and book in a few clicks. Confirmation within the hour.