Last Minute Holidays to the Cape Verde Islands

Enjoy tropical landscapes with a last minute escape to Cape Verde

With flights to Cape Verde taking around five and a half hours on average, you’ll be topping up your tan beachside in no time.

The best thing about a last minute holiday to Cape Verde is that there are endless opportunities for outdoor pursuits that don’t require pre-booking.

One of the most visited islands is Sal, which is made up of rainbow-coloured villages and snow-white shores.

Holidaymakers flock here for watersports like kitesurfing and scuba diving, and there are also plenty of opportunities for boat trips, game fishing and the chance to see loggerhead turtles nesting on the beach. Inland, you can spend a fun day off-road quad biking across vast, desert-like landscapes.

Sal’s busiest town, Santa Maria, is well worth a visit with its colourful architecture, craft shops and laid-back dining scene. You’ll also find seven kilometres of beach here, with a handful of seafront bars and windsurfing centres. One of the other favourite islands is Boa Vista, where laid-back holidays can be spent enjoying the 55 kilometres of stunning coastline, going whale watching, or visiting the cosy capital Sal Rei.

The best time of year to book your last minute holiday

The Cape Verde islands benefit from a warm climate throughout the year, with average temperatures between 25°C and 30°C. This means that the islands can be visited year-round, depending on what activities you want to do while you’re there.

July to September is generally the hottest time with the most rain, whereas from October to June it’s the dry season with more wind, which can be great for watersports. High season on the islands runs from April until September, while low season is from October until March.

To make sure you get the best last minute deals, book your holiday up to eight weeks in advance.

Other last minute holiday destinations

Cape Verde is a fantastic choice for a last minute escape to the sun, but there are plenty of other options on offer too.

The Caribbean islands have guaranteed sunshine and picture-perfect coastlines, ideal for a week or couple of weeks of pure relaxation. A little closer to home are the Balearic islands and the Canary islands, with their envy-inducing coastlines and variety of resorts to suit all budgets.

But if Cape Verde is still your top choice, our handy travel guide can provide you with further advice and tips on what to see and do while you’re there. To give you an idea of what’s awaiting you, here are some of the best last minute hotels on offer.

Clubhotel Riu Funana

Located on the beach with two spacious pools, the Clubhotel Riu Funana is the ideal choice for a relaxing break in the sun. The hotel has four restaurants serving a wide range of cuisine, so you won’t have to venture far to satisfy your tastes. There’s also a swim-up bar, a beach bar and plenty of sunbeds to work on your tan. The extensive facilities include a gym, beach volleyball, introductory scuba diving lessons, fitness classes, a spa and a nightclub on-site. And for added convenience, transfers from the airport take just 20 minutes.

Melia Tortuga Beach Resort and Spa

The 5* Melia Tortuga Beach Resort and Spa ticks all the right boxes when it comes to a luxury last minute holiday. Located on a sandy beach with a host of watersports, two swimming pools and a jam-packed activity programme on offer, it’s easy to understand why this hotel was awarded a Certificate of Excellence by TripAdvisor in 2016. You’ll also find a wide range of dining options, daytime activities like yoga, aerobics and dance lessons, plus regular evening entertainment including discos and folklore nights. The hotel provides a free shuttle bus to Santa Maria four times a day and is just 15 minutes transfer from the airport.

Melia Llanas

Situated on the coast and within easy reach of Santa Maria and the airport, the Melia Llanas hotel was designed with convenience in mind. This adults-only hotel is just a few steps from a white sand beach lined with sunbeds, as well as offering two spacious swimming pools. There are also three restaurants and four bars to choose from, plus a relaxing spa area and gym. Rooms are comfortable and modern, and you can upgrade to luxurious garden swim-up suites to make you trip even more special.