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Voykit pocket guide · Cape Verde
Chã das Caldeiras
Spend two days: afternoon walk on day 1, full‑day guided climb of Pico de Fogo on day 2 (guide required).
Chã das Caldeiras is the volcanic plateau inside Fogo’s crater, offering a short hike, wine tasting and the chance to summit Pico de Fogo with a guide. Two nights let you explore the villages, enjoy local food and safely climb the volcano.
- Country
- Cape Verde
- Best months
- Nov–Jun
- Avoid
- Jul–Oct (higher rain, road closures)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CVE
- Money
- Currency is the Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), pegged at about 110.27 per euro; euros are sometimes accepted in tourist areas, usually at a rounded rate.
- Daily spend
- Budget CV$ 2,500–3,500 excl. bed · Mid CV$ 3,500–5,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- CV Movel and Unitel T+ sell SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; a few GB costs a few euros.
- Emergency
- Police 132 · Ambulance 130 · Fire 131
- Plugs
- Types C, F · 220 V · 50 Hz · European two-pin plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 5–10% if service is good.; Hiking guide: €5–10 a day.; Taxi: Round up.
- Water
- Mostly desalinated; bottled water recommended.
- Toilets
- Western toilets everywhere tourists go; bring paper on hikes.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at Café Isabella | CV$ 30–45 |
| Local wine (glass) | CV$ 80–120 |
| Guide fee for Pico de Fogo (up to 2) | $50 USD (≈CV$ 5,500) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- SFL · São Filipe Airport
- Taxi or Aluguers pickup to Chã das Caldeiras (~2 h).
Typical fares
- Aluguers São Filipe → Chã das Caldeiras
- about $5 USD per person, 2 h
- Guide for Pico de Fogo (2 pax)
- about $50 USD total
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Language, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk between villages; local Aluguers or Patrick’s pickup (≈2 h, $5 USD) from São Filipe; private taxi (fixed price) for guide trips.
See and do
Known for
- Pico de Fogo summit
- Volcanic wine production
- Fog forest hikes
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pico de Fogo summit | Guided hike arranged in São Filipe; pickup 2 h, climb 4–5 h total | ≈7 h round‑trip |
| Fog forest walk to Mosteiros | Self‑guided trail from Chã das Caldeiras village | ≈2 h round‑trip |
Sleep
- Ciza e Rose
- Homestay in Portela, close to the minimarket and Café Isabella.
- Pensao Casa José Doce
- Portela, with WiFi, dining area and tour arrangements.
- Casa Marisa
- Stone cabins in Portela with bar, restaurant and WiFi.
- Casa Alcindo
- Portela, with bar, food and WiFi.
Language
Portuguese is the official language of school and paperwork; Kriolu, a Portuguese-based Creole with regional variants, is what everyone speaks at home. English, French, Italian and German are common in resort hotels on Sal and Boa Vista.
- 'Bom dia' (good morning), 'obrigado/obrigada' (thank you), 'quanto custa?' (how much?).
- In Kriolu: 'mantenha' (greetings), 'dretu' (fine), 'nha' (my).
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, or cheek kisses among friends; greet everyone in a small shop; avoid: Skipping 'bom dia'
- Dress: Cover up in towns and churches; avoid: Beachwear in the street
- Pace: Relax and wait; avoid: Showing impatience
- Music: Join in, applaud, buy the musicians a drink; avoid: Filming performers without asking
Scams and watch-outs
- Climbing Pico de Fogo without a guide is prohibited.
- Roads may be damaged after eruptions; confirm conditions before arrival.
- Loose volcanic rocks on trails; wear hiking boots.
Safe with a guide; main risks are volcanic rocks and occasional road damage after eruptions.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Chã das Caldeiras yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Pico de Fogo summit
- Volcanic wine production
- Fog forest hikes
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Cape Verde tourism board: www.visitcapeverde.com/
- Wikivoyage: Chã das Caldeiras, revision 5277106 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5277106
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/cha-das-caldeiras). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.