Travel vaccinations for Cape Verde
Expert advice and vaccinations for your Cape Verde holiday. Get protected before you travel with Wilmslow’s trusted travel health specialists.
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Protect yourself in Cape Verde
These vaccinations are recommended for most travellers to Cape Verde
Spread through contaminated food and water. Recommended for all travellers.
Recommended for most travellers, especially if visiting rural areas or staying with locals.
Ensure your routine UK schedule is up to date. A booster may be needed.
Consider for longer stays or if you might need medical treatment.
Risk from bats and dogs. Consider if working with animals or in remote areas.
Certificate only required if arriving from a country with risk of Yellow Fever transmission — there is no Yellow Fever risk in Cape Verde itself.
Malaria & dengue in Cape Verde
Malaria risk is generally low but present on Santiago island. Dengue fever and Zika virus are also risks. Bite avoidance is essential.
Sal, Boa Vista, and other islands have very low to no malaria risk.
Low risk exists from September to November. Antimalarials may be advised.
Stay healthy in Cape Verde
Essential tips for a safe trip
Tap water is not safe to drink. Stick to bottled water and avoid ice.
Strong winds can mask the heat. Use high SPF and stay hydrated.
Dengue and Zika are risks. Use 50% DEET repellent day and night.
Planning your Cape Verde travel health
Cape Verde is a comparatively low-risk destination for most holidaymakers, which is one reason the islands are so popular for beach breaks on Sal and Boa Vista. Even so, a short pre-travel appointment is worthwhile, as a few sensible vaccinations and some simple precautions can help keep your trip trouble free. For most visitors the core recommendations are hepatitis A and typhoid, both spread through contaminated food and water, along with making sure your routine tetanus, diphtheria and polio cover is up to date. Depending on your plans and how long you are staying, we may also discuss hepatitis B and rabies.
Malaria is not a concern on the main tourist islands such as Sal and Boa Vista. A limited, seasonal risk has been reported on Santiago, so if your itinerary includes that island we will check the details and advise whether any precautions are needed. Dengue and Zika can also occur, and as these are spread by mosquitoes that often bite during the day, bite avoidance is the mainstay of prevention: use an effective insect repellent, cover up where practical and take extra care if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy.
The islands are hot, sunny and often windy, and the breeze can disguise how strong the sun really is, so sunburn and dehydration are common pitfalls. Use a high-factor sunscreen, wear a hat and drink plenty of safe fluids. Tap water is best avoided, so stick to bottled or treated water and pack a simple travellers’ diarrhoea kit. As with any trip, please try to book around four to six weeks before you travel so there is time to complete any vaccine courses.
Cape Verde travel health FAQs
Common questions we answer at our Wilmslow travel clinic
Which vaccinations do I need for Cape Verde?
For most travellers the core recommendations are hepatitis A and typhoid, which protect against illness spread by contaminated food and water, plus making sure your routine tetanus, diphtheria and polio cover is up to date. Depending on your itinerary and how long you are staying, we may also discuss hepatitis B and rabies. We will tailor the advice to you at your consultation.
Do I need malaria tablets for Cape Verde?
Usually not. The main tourist islands, including Sal and Boa Vista, have very low to no malaria risk, so antimalarial tablets are not generally advised. A limited, seasonal risk has been reported on the island of Santiago. If your trip includes Santiago we will check the details and advise whether any precautions are needed. Bite avoidance remains sensible wherever you stay.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Cape Verde?
There is no yellow fever in Cape Verde, so the vaccine is not needed to protect your health there. A certificate is only required if you are arriving from, or have recently transited through, a country with a risk of yellow fever transmission. As a registered Yellow Fever Vaccination Centre we can check your route and issue a certificate if one is required.
How far in advance should I book for Cape Verde?
Please aim to book around 6 to 8 weeks before departure, which allows time to complete any vaccine courses. Even if your holiday is sooner, it is still worth coming in, as many vaccines can be given closer to travel and we can offer practical advice on sun protection, hydration and avoiding travellers’ diarrhoea.
Ready for Cape Verde?
Book your travel health consultation at our Wilmslow clinic. Get expert advice and all recommended vaccinations in one visit.