Description
Cape Verde has become a popular winter-sun choice from the UK, with direct flights to Sal and Boa Vista and plenty of all-inclusive resorts. Visitors come for long sandy beaches, kitesurfing at Santa Maria, hiking on Santo Antão and the music of Mindelo, often for a week or two.
A travel eSIM means you are not relying on resort Wi-Fi for messages, maps and photo sharing. It sits beside your UK SIM, so your usual number stays in the phone for bank texts while the eSIM handles your data on the islands.
Choose your Cape Verde data plan
There are 12 plans for Cape Verde. Pick the one that matches the length of your stay and how much you stream, video call or share photos.
| Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 1GB – 3 days | £6.75 |
| 1GB – 7 days | £6.75 |
| 2GB – 15 days | £12.75 |
| 3GB – 3 days | £16.50 |
| 3GB – 7 days | £18.00 |
| 3GB – 30 days | £18.00 |
| 5GB – 7 days | £22.50 |
| 5GB – 15 days | £24.00 |
| 5GB – 30 days | £26.25 |
| 10GB – 7 days | £35.25 |
| 10GB – 15 days | £36.00 |
| 10GB – 30 days | £36.75 |
- Short break of a few days: 1GB for 3 days or 3GB for 3 days covers messaging and maps.
- One week in the sun: 3GB, 5GB or 10GB for 7 days, depending on how much you stream and share.
- Two weeks at the resort: 5GB or 10GB for 15 days suits regular photos and video calls.
- Longer stays and island hopping: 3GB, 5GB or 10GB for 30 days for a month or more.
How ordering works
- Choose a plan and place your order. Pay by UK bank transfer or PayPal.
- Once your payment is confirmed, we prepare your eSIM and send you the QR code by email or live chat. Orders are handled by hand, so we suggest ordering at least a day before you fly.
- Scan the QR code at home over Wi-Fi, then switch the eSIM on when you arrive in Cape Verde.
Installing your eSIM
- iPhone: Settings, Mobile Service (or Mobile Data), Add eSIM, then Use QR Code.
- Samsung Galaxy: Settings, Connections, SIM manager, Add eSIM, then Scan QR code.
- Google Pixel: Settings, Network and internet, SIMs, Add SIM, then Download a SIM instead.
Install it before you travel, while you have a steady Wi-Fi connection. A QR code can usually be installed only once, so do not delete the eSIM from your phone until your trip is over. When you land, turn on the eSIM line, set it as the line for mobile data and switch on data roaming for that eSIM.
Using mobile data in Cape Verde
Most UK holidaymakers fly into Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal or Aristides Pereira International Airport on Boa Vista. Data is handy for taxis into Santa Maria or Sal Rei, checking wind for kitesurfing, finding restaurants and sharing photos away from the hotel.
Cape Verde is spread across several islands. Travelling between them by ferry or plane, check timetables in advance, and expect signal to be patchy on remote beaches, mountain trails and at sea. Hikers heading to Santo Antão usually go via São Vicente, so save trail maps before the ferry crossing.
Check your phone first
Your phone must be unlocked and support eSIM. Most iPhones from the XS and XR onwards, Samsung Galaxy S20 and later, and Google Pixel 3 and later can use one. Some models sold in certain countries have no eSIM, so look for an Add eSIM option in your settings. If you are not sure, ask us before you order.
Good to know
- Data only: these plans give you mobile data, not a local phone number. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime or other apps for calls and messages.
- For travel only: the plans work in Cape Verde and are not meant for use in the UK.
- Your UK SIM: keep it in the phone to receive texts such as bank codes, but turn off data roaming on it so it does not use data abroad.
- Different islands: the plan covers Cape Verde, but signal can vary between islands and in remote areas. Download maps before hikes on Santo Antão or Fogo.
Questions
Will it work on all the islands?
It is a Cape Verde plan and works across the islands wherever there is signal, but coverage on quieter islands and remote areas can be limited.
Do I need data if I am staying all-inclusive?
Not always, but it helps when you leave the resort for taxis, excursions and messaging, and when hotel Wi-Fi is slow.
When should I buy my Cape Verde eSIM?
A day or more before you travel is best. That leaves time to receive the QR code and install it at home.
When do the days start counting?
The number of days is how long the plan lasts once it is active. Install it before you go and switch it on when you arrive.
Can I cancel after the QR code is sent?
No. Like our other codes, an eSIM cannot be returned once the QR code has been sent. See our refunds and cancellations page.
