Weather lowdown
November is a quiet and romantic month in Cape Verde, with mild temperatures, little wind and relatively little rain too. Average daytime temperature drops slightly from October's averages down to 26 degrees Celsius. Midday high peak temperature can rise up to 27 degrees and during night, it can drop down to 22 degrees Celsius. This minimal fluctuation means that there are no climatic surprises during November.
Sea temperature mirrors daytime averages and stays at 26 degrees. Cape Verde enjoys 7 hours of daily sunshine in November. The sky is relatively cloudless and after November, the island becomes more and more dry until the coming July.
Monthly total precipitation amounts to 9 mm and rain is expected to fall on 4 days of the month. Winds are relatively calm and mostly come from Africa, bringing warmth but also lowering overall humidity.
Dates for the diary
Every year in November the 1st, Cape Verde celebrates the All Saint's Day, also known as All Hallows .This multi-faith holy day is dedicated to honour all the saints, known and unknown. This religious celebration has very festive undertone that remind of Halloween. Locals dress up and play macabre jokes. Outdoors parties are common around bonfires as the night falls and street food is aplenty.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs organises an annual business and investment event every November. The event is typically held during the fist week of the month and aims to promote the numerous business opportunities of Cape Verde to tourists who might be interested in investing there. This event targets middle aged tourists of respectable income.
Things to do
The traditional marketplace area of Boa Vista offers a unique window to the past of Cape Verde, merged with a modern-day market. You can find virtually anything you may need on your visit to Boa Vista here and the market maintains its authentic Portuguese colonial look and feel.
The afro-Brazilian form of dancing and martial arts known as Capoeira is very popular here in Cape Verde and tourists can take affordable Capoeira classes in Praia, Cape Verde's capital city. These classes teach tourists how to perform the impressive moves of Capoeira to astound friends back home. Classes typically last for two hours and are also a great place to meet other tourists and locals interested in Capoeira.
Hit the beach
The Rabil beach in Boa Vista is a great spot for boating and also a fairly secluded beach for romantic couples to spend some quality time. The surf is quite calm here, attracting snorkellers too. The beach boasts fine white sand and deep blue waters.
In the southwest of the Sao Vicente Island, windsurfers will find excellent wind conditions on the beach of the quiet little town of Sao Pedro. With a strong and consistent surf, there beach provides an excellent challenge for experienced surfers and windsurfers. Beginners are advised to bring along a friend or two before attempting to brave the surges here.
Where to eat & drink
The Le Prive is a restaurant and beach bar in Sal that sports a romantic atmosphere and very friendly service. The menu is internationally inspired but specialises mostly in French, Caribbean and local cuisine. The restaurant is ideal for romantic dates and couples seeking an exotically discreet restaurant.
The Fon'Banana is a unique restaurant in Boa Vista that serves African and international dishes. The prices are most inviting and the menu is impressively extensive, full of tasty dishes. The restaurant is famous for its local delicacies as well as its extensive menu of desserts that include locally produced icecream and delicious milkshakes.
The Tarrafal Cine Teatro is a scenic cinema and theatre in Santiago. Located inside a vintage building, this old cinema has been fully renovated and plays modern movies as well as Brazilian hits. This cinema is fairly off the tourist track and is an ideal spot for a romantic rendezvous.
The Assomada Cineclube is another popular cinema in the capital of Praias. Busy and trendy, the Cineclube is an "in" meeting place for young locals and tourists with a taste for modern movies. The cinema's bar is worthy of mention as it has a very cosy atmosphere and style.
Where to stay
The RosyMar Inn is a beautiful studio in Cape Verde's capital Praia. With vibrant style, quiet atmosphere and very friendly staff, the RosyMar is the ideal studio for couples and single tourists who value quality and privacy.
Located in a quiet oasis in Sal, the Hotel Dunas de Sal is an idyllic hotel that caters to water sports enthusiasts and families with children alike. It also has a fully equipped spa that is only available to visitors. The hotel itself sports minimalist design, with very clean spaces and sparkling white interiors.
The Sobrado is a quiet, adult-only hotel in Santa Maria. Perfect for couples, this romantic hotel features rustic décor and boasts several flower gardens that further enhance its beauty. The staff is very friendly at Sobrado and are all very fluent in English.
The Foya Branca Resort is a huge tourist complex at the island of Sao Vicente. With numerous suites, rooms and luxurious villas, the Foya Branca offers accommodation to tourists of all budgets. The resort's 3 pools are beautifully designed and the hotel also boasts a tennis court, a fully equipped gym and other attractive facilities.
Affordable self catering accommodation doesn't get any better than what tourists find at Santa Maria's Aquamarina Suites. Offering top quality, multi-room suites, the Aquamarina has earned numerous awards and distinctions for excellence of service and value for money.
