Can you use euros in Cape Verde? Yes — but it costs you
Hotels, restaurants and shops in Sal and Boa Vista will happily take your euros. Most of them convert at a round 1 € = 100 escudos, when the official rate set by the Banco de Cabo Verde is 110.265. That rounding is worth about 9.3% of everything you spend. Here is what it comes to on your trip.
Official rate
1 € = 110.265 CVE
Informal rate
1 € = 100 CVE
Work out your real cost
Why this happens
The Cape Verdean escudo is pegged to the euro at a fixed 110.265, backed by a credit line from the Portuguese government. That rate is not a market price that moves — it is set, and every bank and exchange bureau in the country works from it.
Rounding it down to a clean 100 makes mental arithmetic easy for staff and tourists alike, and for a business it quietly adds roughly ten percent to every euro transaction. It is rarely presented as a fee, and it is almost never posted on a sign. Most visitors never notice, because they have nothing to compare against.
The fix is simple and costs you nothing: pay in escudos. Withdraw from a Vinti4 ATM or pay by card in escudos, and you transact at or near the official rate instead of the informal one. On a two-week holiday the difference is typically the price of a very good dinner.
Source: Banco de Cabo Verde
Card or cash?
Resorts, larger hotels and established restaurants take Visa and Mastercard. Taxis, local cafés, markets and excursion operators very often do not. Carry escudos for the small everyday things and use the card for the big ones.
The Vinti4 network
Vinti4 is the national ATM and debit network. Machines are easy to find in Santa Maria, Espargos and the Boa Vista resort areas, and thinner on the ground on the quieter islands. Withdraw before you leave the main towns.
How much to bring
The escudo is a closed currency — you cannot realistically buy it before you fly, and it is hard to change back once you leave. Bring euros to convert on arrival, and withdraw in a few larger amounts rather than many small ones to limit per-withdrawal fees.
The full money guide
Card acceptance island by island, where the ATMs are, tipping, and what to do with leftover escudos at the airport.
Common questions
Can I pay in euros in Cape Verde?
Yes. Euros are widely accepted in tourist areas, particularly on Sal and Boa Vista. However, most businesses convert at around 1 euro = 100 escudos rather than the official rate of 110.265, which means you lose roughly 9.3% on each transaction. Paying in escudos avoids this.
What is the exchange rate for the Cape Verdean escudo?
The escudo is pegged to the euro at a fixed official rate of 1 EUR = 110.265 CVE. This rate is set and administered by the Banco de Cabo Verde and does not fluctuate day to day. Rates against other currencies, such as the pound or the dollar, move only because those currencies move against the euro.
Should I bring cash or use a card in Cape Verde?
Both. Resorts, larger hotels and established restaurants generally accept Visa and Mastercard. Taxis, local cafés, markets and small excursion operators frequently do not. Carrying escudos for day-to-day spending and using a card for larger payments works well.
Can I buy Cape Verdean escudos before I travel?
Not easily. The escudo is a closed currency and is generally not stocked by exchange bureaux outside Cape Verde. Most visitors bring euros to change on arrival, or withdraw escudos from a Vinti4 ATM once they land.
Are there ATMs in Sal and Boa Vista?
Yes. Vinti4 ATMs are readily available in Santa Maria and Espargos on Sal, and in the main resort areas of Boa Vista. Availability is more limited on the quieter islands, so it is worth withdrawing before travelling away from the main towns.
What should I do with leftover escudos?
Spend them before you leave. The escudo is difficult to exchange outside Cape Verde, so converting back at the airport, or simply spending the remainder, is usually better than carrying notes home.