Major city · Cape Verde
Tarrafal
Spend 1–2 days in Tarrafal for beach time and a day hike to Serra Malagueta; arrive by aluguers from Praia (≈3½ h, ~500 CVE).
Tarrafal is a small fishing town on Santiago with a calm bay, surf‑friendly coast and easy access to Serra Malagueta park. Most visitors stay 1–2 nights, using the beach as a base for adventure tours or a short hike, then depart by aluguers back to Praia.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CVE
- Best months
- Nov–Jul
- Airport
- RAI
- Nights
- 1–2
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
Emergency numbers for Tarrafal132 ▾
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 Tarrafal, 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
- SafetycheckGenerally safe; watch for strong surf, check guide credentials for extreme activities, and keep water/food for long hikes.
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.
- AirportRAI Praia International Airport.
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; aluguers (minibuses) from Praia cost ~500 CVE and take 3½ h.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€1–2 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomCVE 2,000
- Mid-range bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomCVE 3,000
- High-end bedHotel room (double), a night, per roomCVE 5,000
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
- RAI Praia International Airport
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Feb
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Mar
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
not flagged
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
not flagged
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Nov
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Dec
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Best: Nov–Jul. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Jun (5 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tarrafal: 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
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Feb
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Mar
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
3 rd
Apr
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
4 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
3 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Dec
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 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
Town is walkable; aluguers (minibuses) from Praia cost ~500 CVE and take 3½ h. No regular boat service.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Serra Malagueta National Park
goDoor to door: 6–8 h round trip
Local aluguers pass the park gate; guided walk from town
Guided hikes start from town plaza; bring water and food.
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.
Hotel Sol Marina
Beachfront, mosquito nets, breakfast; rooms from €20/night.
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
- €5–7 (≈ US$6–9) (≈ 600–850 CVE) excl. bed
- Mid
- €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) (≈ 950–1 400 CVE) excl. bed
- High
- €13 (≈ US$16)+ (≈ 1 500 CVE+) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel room (double)1 × 1 night × CVE 3,000 | CVE 3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CVE 5,000 | CVE 10,000 |
| Aluguer from Praia to Tarrafal (round trip)2 × CVE 500 · Check schedule. | CVE 1,000 |
| Guided hike to Serra Malagueta2 × CVE 2,500 · Price varies by provider. | CVE 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CVE 1,900 |
| Trip total≈ CVE 10,450 per person per day, bed included | CVE 20,900 |
Based on €20/night (~2 200 CVE).
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €1–2 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Meal at a beach restaurant | €5–10 (≈ US$6–12) |
| Taxi Praia airport → TarrafalApprox. 5 800 CVE. | €50 (≈ US$60) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Boat links from Fogo have no fixed schedule – check locally.
- Extreme activities may have variable equipment quality; verify guide experience and emergency contact.
- Taxi to Praia airport costs about €50 (≈ US$60) (≈5 800 CVE).
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 132
- Ambulance
- 130
- Fire
- 131
Pocket card
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TarrafalTarrafal
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police132
- Ambulance130
- Fire131
Embassy
US consulate in Praia (check address); other embassies in Lisbon.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aluguer Praia → Tarrafal (one way): about 500 CVE, 3½ h (check)
- Taxi Praia airport → Tarrafal: about €50 (≈ US$60) (~5 800 CVE)
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (des-ku-le)
- Obrigado — Thank you (obri-ga-do)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (kwan-to koos-ta)
- Onde fica a praia? — Where is the beach? (on-deh fee-ka a prah-ya)
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 Tarrafal. 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 · 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
- 3 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 Tarrafal
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