Major city · Cape Verde
São Filipe
Spend 1–2 days in São Filipe: explore the historic centre, visit the municipal museum and relax on the harbour beach.
São Filipe is the main town on Fogo island, offering colonial architecture, a small museum and a modest beach. It fits a half‑to‑full‑day visit within a Fogo itinerary.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CVE
- Best months
- Nov–Jun
- avoid Jul–Oct (check)
- Airport
- SFL
- 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
Official sites
Emergency numbers for São Filipe132 ▾
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 São Filipe, 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
- SafetySão Filipe is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings in markets and verify taxi fares.
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.
- AirportcheckSFL São Filipe Airport (Taxi to town about 15 min (check)).
- Getting aroundTaxi from the airport ~500 $; shared Aluguer ~100 $; local Aluguer from market for island trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee≈ 200–300 $
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum entry≈ 150 $
- Budget bedPensao Bela Vista double, a night, per personCVE 3,400
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CVE 2,500 · Mid CVE 4,000 · High CVE 6,500
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 to town about 15 min (check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
May
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°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
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Best: Nov–Jun. Avoid: Jul–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jan (2 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
São Filipe: 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
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Apr
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
May
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Aug
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
0 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Dec
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°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
Taxi from the airport ~500 $; shared Aluguer ~100 $; local Aluguer from market for island 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
Chã das Caldeiras
goDoor to door: ≈ 3 h round‑trip (check)
Shared Aluguer from market, about 1 h 30 min each way (check)
Volcanic crater villages; bring water and sturdy shoes.
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.
Pensao Bela Vista
Mid‑range guesthouse, double rooms ~3400 $ (2026 estimate, check)
Hotel Xaguate
Four‑star hotel, double rooms from 10 150 $ (2026 estimate, check); pool access 750 $ (check)
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
- ≈ 2 500 $ excl. bed
- Mid
- ≈ 4 000 $ excl. bed
- High
- ≈ 6 500 $ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Pensao Bela Vista double2 × 1 night × CVE 3,400 | CVE 6,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CVE 4,000 | CVE 8,000 |
| Airport taxi to town (one way)2 × CVE 500 | CVE 1,000 |
| Shared Aluguer to Chã das Caldeiras (round‑trip)2 × CVE 1,200 | CVE 2,400 |
| eSIM, 1 week data2 × CVE 2,500 | CVE 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CVE 2,320 |
| Trip total≈ CVE 12,760 per person per day, bed included | CVE 25,520 |
2026 estimate in CVE; flights and inter‑island tickets excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ≈ 200–300 $ |
| Fish dish (e.g., at Pipi's Bar) | 500–750 $ |
| Taxi from airport to town | ≈ 500 $ |
| Shared Aluguer (short ride) | ≈ 100 $ |
| Museum entry | ≈ 150 $ |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Taxi fares are quoted in escudos ($); confirm price before boarding.
- Aluguer schedules are informal; check departure times near the market.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 132
- Ambulance
- 130
- Fire
- 131
Pocket card
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São FilipeSão Filipe
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
Para este endereço, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police132
- Ambulance130
- Fire131
Embassy
US consulate in Praia (check address); other consulates in Praia and Mindelo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport → town (taxi): about 500 $
- Aluguer market → Chã das Caldeiras: ≈ 1 200 $ round‑trip
Say or show
- Desculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (des-kuh-pe)
- Obrigado — Thank you (ob-ree-ga-do)
- Quanto custa? — How much is it? (kwahn-toh koos-tah)
- Onde fica a casa de banho? — Where is the toilet? (on-deh fee-kah ah kah-zah deh ban-yo)
- Posso pagar com cartão? — Can I pay by card? (poh-soo pah-gar cohm kar-tawn)
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 São Filipe. 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 (check) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add ferry or inter‑island flight links from Praia for multi‑island itineraries.
- Link to Chã das Caldeiras activity page.
Sources
Ask about São Filipe
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