Short answer: the dry season from November to July is the best time to visit Santiago. The trails up Pico d’Antónia and Serra Malagueta are then dry and easy to walk, humidity is lower and there is hardly any rain. August to October is warmer, more humid and greener: lovely for landscape photography, but less suitable for the longer hikes.
Last checked: 4 October 2026.
Dry season (November – July)
From November to July there is hardly any rain on Santiago. Daytime temperatures in Praia are around 24–27°C, with cooler mornings and evenings (18–21°C). This is the most predictable period: dry trails, lower humidity and stable weather, making it the most pleasant season for hikes, city trips to Cidade Velha and days on the beach.
Transition and rainy season (August – October)
August to October is warmer (28–29°C) and more humid, with most rainfall in September. That doesn't mean days of rain, but shorter, sometimes heavy showers, especially in the interior and the mountains. Santiago turns green during this period – great for landscape photos around Assomada and Serra Malagueta – but mountain trails can be muddy and slippery, and views on hikes are sometimes reduced by cloud.
Month by month (Praia averages)
The averages below are based on measurements for Praia, on the coast of Santiago. In the higher interior (towards Pico d’Antónia and Serra Malagueta) it is usually cooler and more humid than these coastal figures suggest.
- January – April: 24–25°C, almost no rain – dry and stable, excellent for hikes.
- May – June: 25–26°C, still dry – warmer water, calm sea.
- Juli: 27°C, the occasional light shower – transition to the wet season.
- August – September: 28–29°C, the wettest months – green landscape, warm sea, chance of heavy showers.
- Oktober: 28°C, rainfall decreasing – still green, gradually drier.
- November – December: 26–27°C, dry – start of the best hiking season.
What does this mean for your hike?
For the climb up Pico d’Antónia and walks in Serra Malagueta the dry season (November–July) is the most pleasant: the trails are more stable, the chance of slippery, muddy stretches is smaller and visibility is better on average. In the wet months (August–October) the landscape is at its greenest and most photogenic, but expect mud, short heavy showers and sometimes limited views from the peaks. Our guides always adapt the route and pace to the current conditions. See all hikes in the overview of hikes on Santiago.
What does this mean for the beach and sea?
The water around Santiago is warm enough to swim in all year round (usually 23–27°C), with the warmest sea in the wet months. For a calm sea and stable beach weather, the dry season, especially May–June, is a good choice. Read more about the island's best-known beach on our Tarrafal-pagina.
Photography by season
Travelling for photography? The dry season brings crisp, clear skies and sharp views across the mountain ridges; the wet season (especially late August–October) offers a short window of strikingly green landscape that you don't see all year round in Cape Verde. Both have their charm – it depends on whether you'd rather capture dry, clear scenes or a green, lush Santiago.
Clothing and preparation
- Light, breathable clothing for daytime; a thin layer for cooler mornings and evenings (especially Nov–Feb).
- Sturdy walking shoes with good grip, especially in the wet season.
- Sun protection (cap, sunscreen) all year round; the sun on Santiago is strong.
- A light rain jacket or windbreaker if you travel in August–October.
- Arrange your EASE-registratie in good time, whatever the season: this must be done online at least 5 days before departure.
Conclusion
Torn between the dry and the green period? For most travellers – especially with hikes on the programme – November to July is the safest and most pleasant choice. If you'd rather travel with a green landscape and don't mind the chance of a shower, late August to October is a good alternative. Unsure about your travel date in combination with a specific hike or tour? Contact us, and we'll help you decide.
More practical information: getting around Santiago, veiligheid, visa and EASE, or back to Practical information about Santiago.
Bronnen
Climate averages based on long-term measurements for Praia, Santiago. Actual conditions may vary by year and by location on the island, especially in the higher interior.