Walking Holidays Safely

Cape Verde is a country with low crime rates, and home to no animal predators dangerous to man. So, the challenges lie elsewhere. The rough landscape requires you to take good care and precautions when exploring.

Respect

Respect the local people, their traditions and ways of life.
Do not touch the fruits or crops that are always someone's property. Never cross the cultivated land;
Take photos only, they function as memories of the good times past and record the beauty of the landscape
Respect the wildlife and the quiet of the localities;

Never light fires and wipe out your cigarettes. The Cape Verde Islands are extremely dry and windy. So the risk of fires is great;
Each visitor is responsible for the garbage he produces; deposit them in the appropriate places;
Avoid giving children money not to encourage bad habits. Small gifts (pencils, pens, books, notebooks) are more advisable.

Never Risk!

Choose a walk which is appropriate to you or your group's experience. The group pace should be defined by the slowest element; In Cape Verde Islands there are walking tours to suit all levels of ability. As a general rule, take children only on routes which allow for a safe and easy retreat. Consider turning back if someone in your group is tired;
Before setting out, obtain weather forecast from television or online. It is advisable to leave accompanied. If you leave alone, leaving word of where you are going can be a good idea;
Protect yourself from the sun. Wear light clothing, a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreens. Avoid exposing yourself to the sun between 12:00 and 14:00 hours. Always take plenty of water and food. The heat (June to October) is great and many of the routes have no possibility of provisioning. Do not drink tap water!
Always follow the marked roads, paths and rails avoiding getting lost or other hazards. If you want to stay overnight outside the communities, take some warm clothes, as the nights can be quite cold in some regions.
Beware of the waves and the strong currents of the sea on some beaches.

Protect the Environment

Save Water! Water is a precious commodity on the Cape Verde Islands and every day more scarcely. We therefore ask the tourist friend to pay attention not to waste water during the baths and to close the taps well.
Protect the Sea Turtles! Sea turtles are endangered species. Unfortunately there are people who sell shells and turtle meat. Never buy these products. If there is no one to buy, this shameful trade will cease to exist.
Protect the Coastal Lobsters! Until very recently the lobster was a very abundant crustacean in the Cape Verde Islands. Unfortunately, due to the indiscriminate capture, its quantity has been decreasing considerably in recent years. The lobster spawning season occurs between the months of May and October, when capture is prohibited by law. We therefore ask the tourist friend to avoid consuming lobsters during this time of the year. If there is no one who consumes, this excessive exploitation will cease to exist.