Cost of living on Sal, Cape Verde
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The cost of living on Sal, Cape Verde (Cabo Verde) depends mostly on where you live and how much you rely on imported products. Local fish, fruit and services are cheap; imported food, electronics and cars are often more expensive than in Europe. Housing is the biggest difference: Santa Maria is the most expensive place on the island, Espargos clearly cheaper.
Money: the Cape Verdean escudo
The currency is the escudo (CVE), with a fixed exchange rate to the euro: 1 euro = 110.265 escudos. That makes budgeting in euros easy; euros are accepted in many tourist places in Santa Maria.
The main costs
- Housing: rent and purchase prices are highest in Santa Maria and near the beach, lower in Espargos and Palmeira. See buying a house on Sal.
- Groceries: fish, local fruit and vegetables at the market are affordable; imported brands in the supermarket cost more.
- Eating out: local restaurants with daily dishes are cheap, tourist restaurants on the beach are closer to European prices.
- Electricity and water: a noticeable cost, because power and drinking water depend on power plants and desalination. Solar energy lowers this bill.
- Transport: a car is useful; aluguer minibuses and taxis are an alternative.
- Health: arrange good international health insurance.
How to live more cheaply on Sal
- Live in Espargos or rent outside the centre of Santa Maria.
- Shop at the market and buy local products.
- Generate your own electricity with solar panels and a battery.
Huefter lives on Sal and helps you plan your move realistically. Back to moving to Sal. Message us on WhatsApp: +238 597 56 78.