Best eSIM for Cape Verde

Cape Verde is an Atlantic archipelago off West Africa, and which island you land on shapes the whole trip. Sal and Boa Vista take most of the beach and watersports charters, Santiago holds the capital Praia, and São Vicente offers Mindelo's music scene and the crossing to Santo Antão for hiking. Inter-island flights and ferries change often enough that travellers end up rechecking schedules from a beach bar. A data eSIM installed before you fly means you arrive connected, whichever island you start on, and can rearrange a ferry or a transfer without first finding somewhere to buy a local SIM.

CVMóvel and Unitel T+ serve the islands, and coverage is solid in Praia, Mindelo, Espargos and Santa Maria on Sal, and the resort areas of Boa Vista. It falls away on the mountain trails of Santo Antão and Fogo, in the deeper valleys and on the ferry crossings between islands. If you are hiking the ribeiras on Santo Antão or climbing Pico do Fogo, download maps and your return transport details before you set out.

For a beach week or an island-hopping fortnight, an eSIM is the least effort and works across the archipelago on the same plan. A local prepaid line is worth the trip to a shop only if you are staying for a season of kitesurfing or work. European roaming allowances generally do not extend to Cape Verde, so check your carrier's country list before assuming you are covered.