← All countries§ 01 · Power in Cape Verde

🇨🇻Power in Cape Verde.

Cape Verde's electrical system follows European standards with 230V power and Type C/F outlets throughout the islands. US travelers need adapters since American plugs won't fit Cape Verdean sockets.

The country maintains consistent electrical infrastructure across all inhabited islands, making travel between them straightforward once you have the right adapter. Voltage converters aren't necessary for most modern electronics like phones and laptops, but check your devices before plugging in.

Cape Verde's 50Hz frequency differs from the US 60Hz standard, though this rarely affects typical travel electronics.

§ Compatibility check

Do I need an adapter?

§ 04 · More about Cape Verde

Things worth knowing before you go.

Quick facts to keep in your back pocket — currency, language, the time difference, which side of the road they drive on.

Capital
Praia
Currency
CVE – Cape Verdean Escudo
Language
Portuguese
Time zone
UTC-1
Driving
Right
Tap water
Caution
Emergency
Save this before you fly. Police, ambulance, fire — all on 132.
132
§ Travel essentials

What every traveler should pack — and why.

Four picks for any international trip — what they actually do, and the moments where they pay for themselves.

Stay secureFrom $3.09/mo
NordVPN

Hotel and airport WiFi in Cape Verde is open and shared. NordVPN encrypts everything you do — banking, email, streaming — so no one on the same network can snoop.

When it pays off
  • Banking from a café in Praia
  • Streaming your usual subscriptions abroad
  • Working from co-working spots without trust issues
NordVPNTry NordVPN
Stay connectedFrom $4.50
Airalo eSIM

Skip the SIM card hunt and the roaming charges. Airalo activates the second your plane lands in Cape Verde — and if you're hopping through several countries, one regional plan covers them all.

When it pays off
  • Local data the moment you land in Cape Verde
  • Multi-country plans for Asia, Europe, LATAM
  • Smaller destinations big providers skip
AiraloAiralo for Cape Verde
Cover the unexpectedFrom $0.99/day
Ekta Insurance

One unplanned hospital visit abroad can wipe out a year of vacation budget. Ekta covers medical emergencies, trip cancellation, and lost baggage — the three things that actually go wrong on real trips — for less than a coffee a day.

When it pays off
  • Got food poisoning on day 3 of 10
  • Bag never showed up at baggage claim
  • Flight cancelled, hotel non-refundable
Ekta Travel InsuranceGet Ekta
Soft landingFixed price
Welcome Pickups

Land in Cape Verde jet-lagged and skip the taxi-line negotiation. Welcome Pickups books an English-speaking driver who waits for you at arrivals with your name on a sign — fixed price, no surprises.

When it pays off
  • First-time visiting and not sure how the airport works
  • Arriving late at night with kids, gear, or both
  • Tired of explaining your hotel address to a cab driver
Welcome PickupsBook a pickup

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§ The PlugHopper shop

Everything we'd actually pack.

Curated Amazon lists, organized by what you actually need at each phase of the trip — from packing the suitcase to landing in a new country.

Available on Amazon
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§ 02 · Plan with Pluggy
Pluggy AI · Online

Pack for Cape Verde in about a minute.

Tell Pluggy where you're going and your dates. We handle weather, packing, the right adapter, eSIM, transport from the airport — all in one conversation.

Plan my Cape Verde trip — free
Weather
10-day forecast
Packing
Tailored list
Power
Type C / F ready
Food
Local picks
Transport
Airport → city
Tips
From real travellers
§ 06 · Type C plugs
C

The plug used in Cape Verde.

All nine inhabited islands use the same electrical standard, from Santiago (where Praia is located) to the northernmost island of Santo Antão. Power reliability is generally good in urban areas and tourist zones, though some remote locations may experience occasional outages.

Full Type C guide →
§ 08 · Common questions
What type of power plug is used in Cape Verde?+

Cape Verde uses Type C and Type F power plugs and electrical outlets. The standard voltage is 230V with a frequency of 50Hz.

Do I need a travel adapter for Cape Verde?+

Yes, travelers from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other countries using Type A/B plugs will need a travel adapter for Cape Verde. The Type C/F outlets are not compatible with American flat-blade plugs.

Do I need a voltage converter for Cape Verde?+

Cape Verde uses 230V. Dual-voltage electronics (smartphones, laptops, cameras) labeled "100-240V" work fine with just a plug adapter. Single-voltage appliances from a different voltage zone (hair dryers, curling irons, kettles) must NOT be plugged in directly — they can be damaged or dangerous. Check every device label before plugging in.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android phone in Cape Verde?+

Yes. All modern smartphone chargers (including iPhone and Android USB chargers) are dual-voltage (100-240V) and work in Cape Verde. You only need a plug adapter to fit the Type C/F outlets.

Can I use my laptop charger in Cape Verde?+

Yes. Laptop chargers from Apple, Dell, HP, Lenovo, and other major brands are universal (100-240V). You only need a Type C/F plug adapter for Cape Verde.

What is the emergency phone number in Cape Verde?+

The emergency phone number in Cape Verde is 132. Save this number in your phone before your trip.

§ 09 · Ready to go

Plan your Cape Verde trip with Pluggy.

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