Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CVE
- Best months
- Nov–Jun
- avoid Jul–Oct (higher rain, road closures)
- Airport
- SFL
- Nights
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chã das Caldeiras132 ▾
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 Chã das Caldeiras, 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
- SafetySafe with a guide; main risks are volcanic rocks and occasional road damage after eruptions.
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.
- AirportSFL São Filipe Airport (Taxi or Aluguers pickup to Chã das Caldeiras (~2 h).).
- Getting aroundWalk between villages; local Aluguers or Patrick’s pickup (≈2 h, $5 USD) from São Filipe; private taxi (fixed price) for guide trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at Café IsabellaCV$ 30–45
- Budget bedPensão (Casa José Doce or similar), a night, per roomCVE 3,500
- Mid-range bedPensão (Casa José Doce or similar), a night, per roomCVE 4,500
- High-end bedPensão (Casa José Doce or similar), a night, per roomCVE 6,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CVE 2,500 · Mid CVE 4,000 · High CVE 6,000
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
- SFL São Filipe Airport (Taxi or Aluguers pickup to Chã das Caldeiras (~2 h).)
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
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
May
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Jun
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Sep
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Oct
Avoid
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–Jun. Avoid: Jul–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C) low), wettest Jul (3 rain days), driest Mar (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chã das Caldeiras: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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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)
1 rd
Apr
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 rd
May
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Sep
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Nov
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
1 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
Walk between villages; local Aluguers or Patrick’s pickup (≈2 h, $5 USD) from São Filipe; private taxi (fixed price) for guide trips.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Pico de Fogo summit
goDoor to door: ≈7 h round‑trip
Guided hike arranged in São Filipe; pickup 2 h, climb 4–5 h total
Fog forest walk to Mosteiros
goDoor to door: ≈2 h round‑trip
Self‑guided trail from Chã das Caldeiras village
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Ciza e Rose
Homestay in Portela, close to the minimarket and Café Isabella.
Pensao Casa José Doce
Portela, with WiFi, dining area and tour arrangements.
Casa Marisa
Stone cabins in Portela with bar, restaurant and WiFi.
Casa Alcindo
Portela, with bar, food and WiFi.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CV$ 2,500–3,500 excl. bed
- Mid
- CV$ 3,500–5,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pensão (Casa José Doce or similar)1 × 2 nights × CVE 4,500 | CVE 9,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × CVE 4,000 | CVE 16,000 |
| Guide for Pico de Fogo (up to 2 people)1 × CVE 5,000 | CVE 5,000 |
| Aluguers pickup from São Filipe2 × CVE 500 | CVE 1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CVE 3,100 |
| Trip total≈ CVE 8,530 per person per day, bed included | CVE 34,100 |
2026 estimate in Cape Verdean escudos (CVE); flights and inter-island transport excluded.
Prices of common things
| 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) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 132
- Ambulance
- 130
- Fire
- 131
Pocket card
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Chã das CaldeirasChã das Caldeiras
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Emergency
- Police132
- Ambulance130
- Fire131
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Aluguers São Filipe → Chã das Caldeiras: about $5 USD per person, 2 h
- Guide for Pico de Fogo (2 pax): about $50 USD total
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 Chã das Caldeiras. 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–Jun · avoid Jul–Oct (higher rain, road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in São Filipe for extra beach time.
- Combine with a visit to the wine village of Bangaeria.
Sources
Ask about Chã das Caldeiras
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