Major city · Cape Verde
Maio
Skip Maio unless you have 5+ days and want a flat, quiet island with empty beaches and almost no tourism: 2–3 nights is enough.
Maio is the flattest and least developed of Cape Verde's inhabited islands, with a single cobblestone road, a handful of Italian-run restaurants and long, empty beaches. It has no nightlife, no big resorts and no must-see sights. The appeal is total quiet and a very low crime rate. Most travellers should skip it unless they have already seen Santo Antão, Fogo and Santiago and want a beach-only wind-down.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CVE
- Best months
- Nov–Jul
- avoid Aug–Oct (rainy, turtle season is the only draw)
- Airport
- MMO
- Nights
- 2–3
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Maio132 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Maio, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?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.Cape Verde-wide
- SIM or eSIMCV Movel and Unitel T+ sell SIMs at airports and shops with a passport; a few GB costs a few euros.Cape Verde-wide
- Tap waterMostly desalinated; bottled water recommended.Cape Verde-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if service is good.Cape Verde-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Cape Verde-wide
- SafetyCrime on Maio is very low.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets everywhere tourists go; bring paper on hikes.Cape Verde-wide
- Emergency numbers132 police · 130 ambulance · 131 fire (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysShops close for lunch (about 12:30–15:00) outside resorts; Sunday is quiet; Carnival closes offices.Shops close for lunch (about 12:30 PM–3:00 PM) outside resorts; Sunday is quiet; Carnival closes offices.Cape Verde-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMMO Maio Airport (Flights from Praia 3 times per week; check).
- Getting aroundBuses circle the island on the single cobblestone road.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCVE 100–200
- BeerBeer (bottle)CVE 150–250
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi Vila do Maio – beachCVE 500–1,000
- Metro or bus rideBus around the islandCVE 200–400
- Budget bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCVE 2,500
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCVE 4,000
- High-end bedGuesthouse double room, a night, per roomCVE 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CVE 3,000 · Mid CVE 5,000 · High CVE 8,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MMO Maio Airport (Flights from Praia 3 times per week; check)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Feb
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Mar
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Apr
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Nov
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Nov–Jul. Avoid: Aug–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Sep (5 rain days), driest Mar (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Maio: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Feb
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Mar
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
0 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
0 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
0 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
4 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Oct
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Nov
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses circle the island on the single cobblestone road. Hitchhiking is common and accepted. A rental car is useful for reaching beaches but not essential.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: 3–4 h
Ferry (2.5 h) or flight (30 min)
Use for supplies or onward travel; not a day trip for sightseeing.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Vila do Maio
The only town; all guesthouses, villas and restaurants are here or a short walk away.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CVE 3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CVE 5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- CVE 8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse double room1 × 2 nights × CVE 4,000 | CVE 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CVE 5,000 | CVE 20,000 |
| Ferry Praia–Maio, one way2 × CVE 1,500 · check | CVE 3,000 |
| Flight Praia–Maio, one way2 × CVE 4,000 · check | CVE 8,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CVE 3,900 |
| Trip total≈ CVE 10,730 per person per day, bed included | CVE 42,900 |
2026 estimate in CVE; flights and ferries excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | CVE 100–200 |
| Pasta dish at Trattoria del Qwerty | CVE 800–1,200 |
| Beer (bottle) | CVE 150–250 |
| Taxi Vila do Maio – beach | CVE 500–1,000 |
| Bus around the island | CVE 200–400 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry from Praia does not run every day: check CV Interilhas.
- No ATM on the island: bring enough escudos from Praia or Sal.
- Restaurants are few and mostly Italian; vegetarian options are limited.
- The island is very quiet: if you want nightlife or activities, choose Sal or Boa Vista instead.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 132
- Ambulance
- 130
- Fire
- 131
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
MaioMaio
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police132
- Ambulance130
- Fire131
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Praia–Maio: about CVE 1,500, 2.5 h (check)
- Flight Praia–Maio: about CVE 4,000, 30 min (check)
Say or show
- Olá — Hello (oh-LAH)
- Obrigado — Thank you (oh-bree-GAH-doo)
- Quanto custa? — How much? (KWAN-too KOOS-tah)
- Onde fica a praia? — Where is the beach? (ON-deh FEE-kah ah PRY-ah)
No ATM on Maio: bring escudos from Praia or Sal.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Maio. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Jul · avoid Aug–Oct (rainy, turtle season is the only draw) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Maio
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