Cabo Verde Travel Health Guide for US Travelers
A physician-reviewed health and safety guide for Americans traveling to Cabo Verde
The U.S. Department of State advises Americans to Exercise Normal Precautions in Cabo Verde due to crime. Cabo Verde is generally considered a safer island destination, but travelers should still use sensible precautions against theft and be cautious when walking or driving at night. :contentReference[oaicite:40]{index=40}
Republic of Cabo Verde
Capital: Praia | Region: Atlantic Islands / West Africa | Language: Portuguese / Cape Verdean Creole
Before You Travel to Cabo Verde
Cabo Verde is an Atlantic island country west of Senegal known for beaches, volcanic landscapes, island hopping, and a relatively relaxed tourism environment. For US travelers, the main health issues are usually routine vaccine review, food and water precautions, dehydration, sea and road safety, and realistic expectations about ambulance and payment systems rather than high-end security threats. :contentReference[oaicite:41]{index=41}
Visit a Travel Clinic
CDC recommends reviewing routine vaccines and destination-specific protection such as Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid before departure. :contentReference[oaicite:42]{index=42}
Get Travel Insurance
The State Department strongly recommends travel insurance and specifically advises checking evacuation assistance and medical coverage before travel. :contentReference[oaicite:43]{index=43}
Entry & Pre-Registration
No tourist visa is required for stays of 30 days or less, but travelers must register and pay an airport security fee online in advance or on arrival. :contentReference[oaicite:44]{index=44}
Pack a Medical Kit
Bring prescription medicines, sunscreen, oral rehydration salts, a basic first aid kit, and anything you use regularly because availability can vary by island. :contentReference[oaicite:45]{index=45}
Food & Water Safety
Use safe drinking water and be cautious with food in smaller towns or less predictable settings. CDC recommends Hepatitis A and Typhoid partly because food and water exposure can still occur. :contentReference[oaicite:46]{index=46}
Payment Planning
State Department guidance says medical care is not free in Cabo Verde, many providers only accept cash, and credit card payment is not always available. :contentReference[oaicite:47]{index=47}
Yellow Fever in Cabo Verde
Practical Yellow Fever Advice
Cabo Verde’s current U.S. travel-health guidance is centered far more on routine vaccinations, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, and measles than on yellow fever. For most U.S. leisure itineraries, yellow fever is not the main pre-travel issue. :contentReference[oaicite:49]{index=49}
Malaria in Cabo Verde
For Cabo Verde, the main pre-travel win is often not exotic disease prevention but getting routine vaccines up to date, avoiding GI illness, staying hydrated, and planning realistically for island-based medical access and emergency response. :contentReference[oaicite:52]{index=52}
Be fully vaccinated against measles, practice safe food and water habits, and carry medications for dehydration and routine illness. :contentReference[oaicite:53]{index=53}
Recommended Vaccines for Cabo Verde
CDC recommends routine vaccine review plus several destination-specific vaccines depending on your age, itinerary, and exposure profile. Measles protection is specifically emphasized for all international travelers. :contentReference[oaicite:54]{index=54}
Hepatitis A
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Cabo Verde. :contentReference[oaicite:55]{index=55}
Hepatitis B
Recommended for unvaccinated travelers of all ages traveling to Cabo Verde. :contentReference[oaicite:56]{index=56}
Typhoid
Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas. :contentReference[oaicite:57]{index=57}
Rabies
Dogs infected with rabies are not commonly found in Cabo Verde, but post-exposure vaccines may only be available in larger suburban or urban medical facilities. :contentReference[oaicite:58]{index=58}
MMR
CDC specifically says all international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with MMR. :contentReference[oaicite:59]{index=59}
Routine Vaccines
Routine protection should include influenza, COVID-19, Tdap, polio, and age-appropriate standard immunizations before departure. :contentReference[oaicite:60]{index=60}
Healthcare System in Cabo Verde
In Praia & Larger Urban Areas
Larger islands and urban centers offer the best access to hospitals, clinics, and the medical providers listed by the U.S. Embassy. :contentReference[oaicite:62]{index=62}
Smaller Islands & Remote Areas
Inter-island travel can complicate urgent medical care. Planning matters more when moving between islands or staying outside major centers. :contentReference[oaicite:63]{index=63}
Payment Policy
Medical care is not free, most hospitals and doctors do not accept U.S. insurance directly, most care providers only accept cash, and credit card payment is not always available. :contentReference[oaicite:64]{index=64}
The U.S. Embassy provides a medical assistance list, including hospitals, clinics, and air medical contacts for Cabo Verde. :contentReference[oaicite:65]{index=65}
Emergency Numbers in Cabo Verde
State Department guidance lists 132 for police, 130 for medical emergencies, and 131 for fire. It also says ambulance services are not widely available and may respond slowly. :contentReference[oaicite:66]{index=66}
U.S. Embassy Praia
Rua Abilio Macedo 6, C.P. 201
Praia, Santiago, Cabo Verde
Main telephone: +238-260-8900
After-hours: +238-991-3325 :contentReference[oaicite:67]{index=67}
Crime Response
If you are the victim of crime, do not resist robbery attempts and contact local police and the U.S. Embassy as soon as safely possible. :contentReference[oaicite:68]{index=68}
STEP Enrollment
Enroll in STEP before travel to receive alerts and make it easier for the embassy to reach you in an emergency. :contentReference[oaicite:69]{index=69}
Nature & Environmental Risks
Heat & Dehydration
Hot, dry island conditions can lead to dehydration, especially with beach exposure, wind, and increased activity. :contentReference[oaicite:70]{index=70}
Sea & Water Safety
Strong currents, surf, and coastal conditions vary by island and beach. Observe local warnings and avoid isolated swims. This is a practical safety issue even in lower-crime destinations. :contentReference[oaicite:71]{index=71}
Road Safety
State Department guidance advises caution when walking or driving at night. :contentReference[oaicite:72]{index=72}
GI Illness
Food and water hygiene remain important. European public health authorities also reported recent travel-related gastrointestinal infection clusters linked to Cabo Verde in 2026. :contentReference[oaicite:73]{index=73}
Pre-Departure Checklist for Cabo Verde
- See a travel medicine clinician before departure
- Update routine vaccines, especially MMR
- Review Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid
- Complete pre-registration and airport security fee requirements
- Buy travel insurance with evacuation cover
- Carry enough cash for medical needs and do not rely only on cards
- Use safe drinking water and good food hygiene
- Use caution walking or driving at night
- Save emergency numbers: Police 132 | Medical 130 | Fire 131
- Keep U.S. Embassy Praia saved: +238-260-8900 / after-hours +238-991-3325
