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December is one of the best times to visit Cape Verde: the dry season is well underway, daytime temperatures are around 26 °C and the sea stays at 24 °C, so you can swim without shivering. What really changes from one island to another is the wind, the cool evenings at altitude and, above all, the crowds during the festive season.
At a glance
- Almost no rain: between 0 and 8 mm over the month depending on the station, this is the dry season.
- Air temperatures of 26 °C in the afternoon on Sal and São Vicente, 28 °C in Praia (Santiago); nights drop to around 20 to 22 °C on the coast.
- Sea between 24.2 and 24.5 °C everywhere: swimming is pleasant, and a shorty is only useful for long diving or paddleboarding sessions.
- The trade winds blow steadily: ideal for kitesurfing, less so for sunbathing on an exposed beach.
- Sal and Boa Vista are the busiest islands during the school holidays (from 19 December 2026 to 4 January 2027); before the 19th, prices and crowds are gentler.
- Santo Antão, Fogo and São Nicolau stay quiet all year round and are well suited to walking.
Planning a trip to Cape Verde?
Tell us about your project: we’ll put you in touch with a local agency that knows every island and will prepare a proposal tailored to your wishes and budget.
What is the weather like island by island?
December marks the heart of the dry season, which Cape Verdeans call the time of the breezes. The sky is mostly clear, although a Saharan dust haze can veil the sun for a few days. The differences between islands come mainly from altitude and exposure to the wind.
| Station | Air (min / max) | Sea and rain |
|---|---|---|
| Sal | 20,5 / 26,1 °C | 24,4 °C, 3 mm |
| Santiago (Praia) | 21,1 / 27,8 °C | 24,2 °C, 8 mm |
| São Vicente (Mindelo) | 22 / 26 °C | 24,5 °C, 0 mm |
Boa Vista, flat like Sal and located right next to it, behaves in much the same way: around 26 °C by day and nights of about 20 °C. The mountainous islands (Santo Antão, Fogo, and the highlands of Santiago) are noticeably cooler at altitude and in the evening. In practical terms, pack a sweater and a windproof jacket if you climb the Fogo volcano or hike the ridges of Santo Antão; our packing checklist for Cape Verde covers the rest. To compare with neighbouring months, see our page on the weather in Cape Verde.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in December?
Yes, and without nasty surprises: the water stays around 24.2 to 24.5 °C, almost as warm as in January and a degree and a half warmer than in February. It’s cooler than in September, but much milder than the Mediterranean at the same time of year.
Wind is the real factor to watch. It creates chop on exposed coasts, and the sea is often rougher than in summer; mornings are generally calmer, so they’re the best time to swim or dive. On Boa Vista, some very open beaches, such as Santa Monica, have neither a bar nor shade: bring water and sun protection. With children, opt for a sheltered bay.
Which island should you choose in December?
The right choice depends less on the weather, which is almost identical along the coast, than on what you expect from your holiday. Here are our three main profiles.
Beach, sun and nightlife: Sal or Boa Vista
This is where most of the hotels, direct flights from France and nightlife are concentrated. Sal is the easiest to get around for a first stay, with Santa Maria within walking distance of the beach; Boa Vista is larger, with dunes and long, deserted beaches, but requires more travelling. Both are in high demand between Christmas and New Year: book your New Year’s Eve plans well in advance. To choose between them, our page which island to choose based on your expectations compares the atmospheres.
Hiking and landscapes: Santo Antão or Fogo
December is a good month for walking, as it’s dry and the trails are passable, with mild temperatures at mid-altitude. Santo Antão offers valleys, cliffs and ridge trails; Fogo has its highest peak, the volcano at 2,829 m, and villages set among lava flows. For hikes suited to your level, you can have the itinerary prepared by the local agency when you book.
Music, culture and city life: São Vicente or Santiago
Mindelo, on São Vicente, is the cultural capital of the archipelago, with its morna bars open late; Praia and the old town of Cidade Velha, on Santiago, tell the colonial past of the islands, a short drive from each other.
If you’re still torn between two of these profiles, you can ask our partner local agency for an itinerary combining two islands: it’s often the best way to combine beach and hiking.
Events and year-end celebrations
- Early December: Boavista Ultramarathon, a trail race of 75 and 150 km around Rabil on Boa Vista; the exact date of the 2026 edition is published by the organisers.
- 25 December: Christmas Day, a public holiday; some shops close.
- New Year: celebrations in Santa Maria (Sal) and Mindelo (São Vicente), with gala dinners and beachside parties at the hotels.
We haven’t found an official programme published for the 2026 celebrations: the local councils tend to announce them late.
Prices and crowds: travelling before or during the holidays
Flight and hotel prices rise noticeably between 19 December and 4 January, in step with French school holidays. A tourist contribution of about €2.50 per person per night is added to your hotel bill.
If your dates are flexible, the first half of December offers the same climate with fewer people. For inter-island flights, bookings with the airline CVsky are already open for the whole winter, until 27 March 2027; our page on organising your trip and the one on airports and flights will help you build a budget. To find out the real cost of your itinerary, request a quote from the local agency before booking your tickets.
Entry requirements
European citizens do not need a visa for a stay of less than 30 days, but they must register on the EASE platform at least five days before arrival; the airport security tax (TSA) is CVE 3,400 (about €31) when paid online. In practical terms, complete this step when you book your flight, or let the local agency guide you. Full details are in our visa page.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sea temperature in Cape Verde in December?
It ranges from 24.2 to 24.5 °C depending on the island, about a degree and a half warmer than in February. It’s therefore pleasant for swimming, although the wind can make the sea rougher in the afternoon.
Where should I go in Cape Verde in January?
The same islands as in December: Sal or Boa Vista for beaches, Santo Antão or Fogo for hiking, São Vicente or Santiago for culture. The climate barely changes and the sea stays at around 24 °C; it drops to about 23 °C in February.
Should I worry about rain or cold in December?
Rain is almost absent. Cold only affects evenings at altitude on Santo Antão, Fogo or the highlands of Santiago, where a sweater is enough.
Sources
- Un sac sur le dos: Cape Verde in December (accessed 2026-11)
- Climats et Voyages: climate of Cape Verde (accessed 2026-11)
- Partir.com: sea temperatures in Cape Verde (accessed 2026-11)
- Partir.com: Cape Verde in December (accessed 2026-11)
- Ultra Race Calendar: Boavista Ultramarathon (accessed 2026-11)
- EASE Cabo Verde: traveller registration (accessed 2026-11)
- France Diplomatie: travel advice for Cape Verde (accessed 2026-11)
- Climate of Sal, 1991-2020 normals (NOAA, INMG) (accessed 2026-11)
- Climate of Praia, 1991-2020 normals (NOAA, INMG) (accessed 2026-11)
- Pico do Fogo: altitude and eruptive history (accessed 2026-11)
- Public holidays in Cape Verde (accessed 2026-11)
- L’Étudiant: school holidays 2026-2027 and public holidays (accessed 2026-11)
Are you planning a trip to Cape Verde?
To organize your stay, we work with a local agency based in Cape Verde, which knows the archipelago island by island. Tailor-made tours, accommodation, inter-island flights, excursions: describe your project, we put you in touch and the agency prepares a proposal tailored to your wishes and budget.
Written by Adilson Gomes Garcia
Founder of Casa di CV and Gomia-Voyage, I was born in Santiago and I am committed to showcasing African territories, starting with Cape Verde. Through my platforms, I help travelers and curious minds better understand these destinations, their cultures and their realities, so they can plan authentic and respectful trips. My goal: to offer a clear, local and useful perspective for discovering Africa as it really is, with its riches and its identity.