Cape Verde has the image of an expensive, exclusive destination: this is mainly due to the all-inclusive resorts on Sal and Boa Vista, which set the price expectations of many travelers. Santiago is a different story. Here you pay local prices, not resort rates, and that makes a significant difference.
Bruno, a local guide for Cape Verde Tours, gets this question almost weekly from travelers planning their vacation. This is the honest overview: what you really pay for flights, accommodation, food, and tours on Santiago.
Flight tickets: what do you pay from the Netherlands?
From Amsterdam you fly with TUI, Transavia, TAP Portugal or TACV Cabo Verde Airlines to Cape Verde. Tickets to Sal start from about €170 to €290, depending on the season and how far in advance you book. For Praia, the capital on Santiago, you can expect from around €350, often with a stopover in Lisbon because direct flights are scarce. From October 2026, Transavia will operate weekly flights from Amsterdam to Praia via Sal.
Would you rather travel directly to Sal and then on to Santiago? A domestic flight between the islands usually costs €50 to €100 per person.
Visa and mandatory registration (new as of 2026)
Since January 1, 2026, visa-free arrival for many nationalities, including Dutch citizens, has been abolished. Instead, EASE (Electronic Authorization System Entry) is mandatory: an online pre-registration that you must arrange before departure. The combination of the mandatory 30-day tourist visa and the airport tax (TSA) costs approximately €53.50 per person. Arrange this on time via the official EASE platform; it is not a visa that you can buy upon arrival as in the past.
Overnight stay on Santiago: guesthouse, hotel or resort?
Santiago hardly has any large resorts, and that is precisely why staying overnight here is cheaper than on Sal or Boa Vista. A simple guesthouse or pousada costs €10 to €25 per night. If you choose a budget hotel with a private bathroom and air conditioning, you will pay €30 to €40 per night for a double room. For a slightly more comfortable stay with a sea view or swimming pool, you can expect €50 to €80 per night.
Food and drinks: local vs. touristy
At a local eatery, you pay €3 to €6 for a full meal, often cachupa or fresh fish with rice. If you go out to eat at restaurants geared towards tourists, that rises to €12 to €18 per dish. Expect to spend about €15 per person per day on food and drinks if you eat mostly locally, and €25 to €35 if you regularly choose tourist restaurants. A local beer or glass of grogue rarely costs more than €2.
Transportation on the island
Aluguers, shared minibuses, are the cheapest way to travel around the island: €1 to €3 per ride, depending on the distance. A rental car costs an average of €35 to €50 per day and is useful if you want to explore the interior yourself. Most travelers combine both: aluguers for short trips, and a rental car or tour for the days they want to go further inland.
Tours and excursions in Santiago
At Cape Verde Tours, day tours and hikes range between €99 and €119 per person, including a local guide and lunch. That includes transportation, so you don't need to rent a car yourself on the days you book a tour. Compare that to a rental car plus the time it takes to find your own way without local knowledge, and the tour is often the smarter choice, especially for a first visit.
Sample budget: a week in Santiago
For a traveler who wants to travel comfortably but not luxuriously, a week in Santiago looks something like this:
- Return flight ticket: €300 to €450
- EASE registration and TSA: €53.50
- Overnight stay, 7 nights: €210 to €350
- Food and drinks, 7 days: €140 to €210
- Local transport: €30 to €50
- Three tours or hikes: €300 to €360
Total: expect around €1,000 to €1,450 per person for a week, excluding any extra expenses such as souvenirs or diving. If you are traveling as a pair and sharing a room, the average per person will be lower.
Practical tips from Bruno to save money
- Book flights at least two to three months in advance for the best prices
- Eat where the locals eat: the same fish, a fraction of the price
- Combine short-term rentals with one or two tours for the places you can't easily reach on your own
- Bring enough cash: not every guesthouse or restaurant accepts a debit card
Do you have any other questions about your vacation to Cape Verde? Read our frequently asked questions about a holiday to Cape Verde.
Plan your vacation on Santiago with Bruno
Bruno knows the fair prices of the island and makes sure you don't pay more than necessary. Check out the offers and book a tour or hike that fits your budget.
Frequently asked questions about the costs of Cape Verde
Is Cape Verde an expensive destination?
That depends heavily on which island you choose. Sal and Boa Vista with their resorts are more expensive. Santiago is one of the most affordable islands, because you pay local prices instead of resort rates.
Can I go to Santiago for a week with €1,000?
Yes, that is realistic if you choose guesthouses, eat locally, and book one or two tours. If you travel more comfortably or book more excursions, count on €1,200 to €1,500.
Is the EASE registration the same as a visa?
EASE is the mandatory online pre-registration including airport tax. For most European travelers, including the Dutch, this applies in combination with a visa-free stay of up to 30 days, but the EASE registration itself has been mandatory for everyone since 2026.
Curious about what a tour of Santiago actually costs within this budget? View our tours and prices I am planning a Santiago vacation with a clear price overview.
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