Anyone been to the Cape Verde islands?

[lucywiltshire]

We're trying to find a sunshine holiday for October half term (not Egypt or anywhere in Middle East). Cape Verde seems a good choice for guaranteed sun but I don't know much about it. Can anyone who has been there advise on suitability for young kids, food etc etc?

bumping as keen to find out more as thinking of going in April.. that or Mauritius and Cape V is a lot closer!

WE looked at it for a place to go over the Christmas holidays. to be honest it didn't look like it had enough for us to do other than laze by the pool. No great activity type things. i think I would have been bored witless after 2 days never mind 2 weeks. we went to belize instead. I always go on trip advisor and search under attractions and activities. that will give you a good idea of what is going on.

I was thinking of going there last year and posted on here. The consensus was not to bother as there isn't a lot to do. I guess unless you're looking for a lazy holiday.
We went to lanzarote instead which was nice (we went in November and the weather was changeable but I believe it's lovely in October)

I think it's still extremely under developed and apart from being full of timeshares that people rushed to buy cheaply about 10 years ago when it was touted as the new big place, there is still very little investment in the place and not much going on there. You could get an identical type of holiday much closer to home with a shorter, cheaper flight and better standard of facilities to be honest.

Belize looks lovely though, or how about Cuba? Go while it still has its quirky unspoilt charm and still like stepping back in time!

Belize is lovely Helloitstillmefell. I have honestly never been somewhere where the people have been so friendly helpful and genuinely chat to you about stuff. there was so much to cram in and Belize is only 6 hours drive from top to bottom so not a huge place. they speak English and the food was delicious. hardly anyone from the UK goes there, just cannot understand why really as if you have teens or are adventurous it is perfect.

We've looked into it more than once and always decided against it as the Atlantic sea can lead to rough seas and big waves - have heard that mostly the beaches have red flags flying so no playing for the kids.

My parents live in south easy Spain so we go there every October half term. Weather has always been lovely and we have been on the beach every day. Temps 24-27 degrees.

Reading with interest as would like a sunny holiday in Oct half term too. We went to Lanzarote last Oct and stayed at Dreams Gran Castillo Hotel which was a great, relaxing-by-pool type holiday but fancied somewhere with more sights and local culture. Thought Cape Verde might be the answer but perhaps not. Trying to avoid a long flight as it's only a week's holiday and avoiding Middle East/Northern Africa for obvious reasons so perhaps it's back to the Canaries. Let me know how you get on, lucywiltshire.

Been a few times with work....fine if you like doing nothing I found it featureless and dull....others rave about it.

Huge AI destination at the moment.

We went to Boa Vista on our honeymoon. It was lovely but yes, very quiet and not a place I would take dc tbh. However Boa Vista is one of the quieter islands although there is some stuff to do there - we went deep sea fishing, jeep safari and there's apparently some decent diving if that's your thing.

We were told though that Sal has a lot more going on so maybe it depends which island you go to?

I think it's the fact that you can't fly direct from UK to Belize that puts people off and that there aren't many ready made holidays there available not everyone wants to put together their own itinerary. Would love to go though, could you post your itinerary and what companies you used?

Heels99 I have messaged you. you cant fly direct to Belize but it isn't that torturous actually. You can either go either the USA in which case on the way out there is a stop over but on the way back it is 14 hours with a change in the US. or you can fly into Cancun which is direct and take a coach or drive yourself in and this takes about 4 - 5 hours of driving. I hate ready made holidays as this is my ideal of pure hell!! I did all the research myself through guide books and Trip Advisor. I am very happy to share all of this if anyone wants to message me I will send it on to them. we had a fab time and I wouldn't hesitate to go again as there was still loads that we didn't get to see.

It's great if you want a cheaper 'expensive' feel holiday. It's not so great if you want an action packed holiday but very chilled instead - the national motto is 'no stress'.

The weather is pretty much guaranteed...