The best eSIM for Cape Verde depends on how much data you need, but for a typical trip eSIM Ahora offers plans from $10.24, activated by QR code in about 30 seconds with no roaming from your home carrier. A 3 GB, 30-day plan costs $39.78. You connect, with top-ups available and nationwide coverage. Compatible with iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S21+ and Google Pixel 3+.
Full-speed data every day; after the daily cap the speed is reduced.
Full speed up to 500 MB/day, then 512 Kbps.
Every eSIM can be installed within 180 days of purchase. Plan validity starts when you first connect.
Your eSIM picks between these networks on its own. If you see bars and nothing loads, you can pick one by hand.
Your Cape Verde eSIM runs on one network: CVMOVEL. Other local networks won't carry your data: if you see signal bars and nothing loads, turn off automatic network selection (iPhone: Settings → Cellular → your eSIM → Network Selection; Android: Settings → Network & internet → SIMs → your eSIM) and pick CVMOVEL by hand.
CVMóvel (historic operator) and Unitel T+ are the two main operators in this 10-island archipelago. Steady 4G across main inhabited islands: Sal (Santa Maria, Espargos), Santiago (Praia, capital), São Vicente (Mindelo), Boa Vista, Maio, Santo Antão, Fogo. Excellent tourist coverage in Santa Maria (Sal) and Sal Rei (Boa Vista). Fogo (active volcano) has coverage at Chã das Caldeiras. Less-populated islands (Brava, Maio) have basic coverage. Inter-island flights via Cabo Verde Airlines or ferry. 5G in Sal and Praia trials. Type C/F European plugs, 220V/50Hz.
Fly into Sal-Amílcar Cabral (SID, charter flights), Praia-Nelson Mandela (RAI) or Boa Vista (BVC). Currency Cape Verdean escudo (CVE), ~108 CVE per USD; euro widely accepted. Cape Verde is affordable-mid: dinner 8-20 USD, mid-range hotel 60-180 USD. Sal and Boa Vista are all-inclusive resort and kitesurf destinations. Mindelo (São Vicente) is the cultural and musical capital (morna, Cesária Évora). Santo Antão and Fogo for hiking. Portuguese-African Creole culture. Languages Portuguese (official) and Crioulo. Visa-free for many EU passports + eVisa fee for others.