The Adventurely Mini-Guide to Digital Nomading in Praia, Cabo Verde West Africa

Cabo Verde - the picturesque African nation consisting of several islands in the Atlantic, and only a relatively short plane ride from Portugal is a digital nomad destination you should absolutely consider going to.

An increasing number of remote workers and digital nomads have been heading there since the launch of Remote Working Cabo Verde - a website that shares useful information for making Cabo Verde your temporary nomadic home for several months to work remotely.

While much of the current nomad community building experiences in Cabo Verde have been directed toward the Cabo Verdean island of Sao Vicente, the Adventurely team pursued a recent digital nomad stint on the Cabo Verdean island of Santiago, in the capital city of Praia, based off recommendations from friends of our team in the US of Cabo Verdean descent, and also from some nomads we met who went to Praia and enjoyed it.

Praia, offers an alluring blend of picturesque coastal beauty and a thriving entrepreneurial spirit, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads seeking inspiration and adventure. In this blog post, we will explore some of the basics of getting settled in Praia, Cabo Verde as a digital nomad.

Getting to and around Praia from the Airport.

To arrive to Praia Cabo Verde, you’ll book your flight to their International airport named Nelson Mandela International Airport aka “RAI” airport. The Airport is about a 15 minute drive from the city center, and you can expect to pay 1000-1500 in the local currency, Cabo Verdean Escudos, which is roughly 10-15 Euros. In some local Praia establishments and also with some taxis, you might be able to pay directly in Euros, but you shouldn’t rely on it. There is an atm machine in the airport where you can withdraw local currency before catching a taxi.

Taxi’s in general in Praia are beige colored, and easy to find on most local roads. Once you arrive to city center from the airport, most local rides in Praia will cost you 200 Escudos, which is roughly the equivalent of 2 euros to get around.

Where to stay

Our team stayed in the Palmarejo neighborhood and really enjoyed it. Much of the neighborhood directly lines a breezy boardwalk that lines the beach; there’s a wide selection of beach clubs and local restaurants there; several shopping centers; and several coworking spaces. What we liked especially about Palmarejo, was that it was walkable, and that you didn’t necessarily need a car. One of the best benefits of staying in Palmarejo, is it’s proximity to one of the most popular beaches in Praia, Quebra Canela beach. It’s only a 5-7 minute walk away. Last but not least - we found Palmarejo to be be extremely safe.

Local Food.

The Cuisine of Praia Cabo Verde is largely influence by Portuguese and West African cuisine. You’ll enjoy dining on a lot of fresh, local fish, and you’ll inevitably come across one of the most famous dishes in Cabo Verde, called Cachupa - a stew made with mashed maize, onions, green bananas, manioc, sweet potatoes, squash and yams, and often served with a fried egg on top.

Weather.

You’ll enjoy a warm, tropical climate year round in Praia, with the caveat that August is when their rainy season hits.

Wifi in Praia & Places to Work Remotely From.

We were pleasantly surprised to discover how reliable the WiFi was throughout Praia - it was extremely reliable for remote work. If you’re not working remotely from your accommodation, Prime Cowork is a great, traditional cowork space to work remotely from, and there’s also several restaurants and cafes that you can work remotely from in Praia, such as Natura Coffee Shop.

How to spend your weekends.

Head to Quebra Canela beach to enjoy fun in the sun and swimming in the relatively warm beach waters in Praia. For tours & excursions, we recommend checking out locally owned Avontade Tours which offers Cabo Verdean dance lessons; a street art tour of Praia; visiting a family owned grogue factory (local Cabo Verdean rum; taking a traditional Cabo Verdean cooking class; adventure tours in Praia; and local volunteer opportunities in Praia as well.

Getting to Sao Vicente from Praia.

Getting from Praia to Sao Vicente is a bit tricky. There’s very limited flights available (which tend to be expensive); and the ferry ride available can take 12-16 hours to get you there- on what many locals described to us as less than smooth ride.

Making friends.

We found local Cabo Verdeans to be extremely welcoming and kind. You’ll find it easy to make friends in Praia, but keep in mind that there aren’t a lot of english speakers in Praia- Portuguese is the national language, and .

Conclusion:

Praia, Cabo Verde, stands as a captivating destination for digital nomads seeking a blend of natural beauty, cultural immersion, and a thriving community. With its beachside workspaces, affordable cost of living, and diverse range of experiences, Praia offers the perfect balance between work and play. Embrace the charms of this coastal paradise and unlock your full potential as a digital nomad in Praia, Cabo Verde