Mobile Data in Cape Verde
Mobile Data in Cape Verde: eSIM vs. Local SIM Card
How to stay connected across the islands: travel eSIMs, the local operators' own eSIMs, and physical SIM cards, with coverage tips for each island.
A working phone makes travel in Cape Verde far easier: maps, messages to drivers and guesthouses, ferry timetables, and restaurant bookings all depend on it. Roaming on a foreign SIM is usually expensive, so most visitors choose between a travel eSIM set up before they fly and a local SIM card bought on arrival. Both work well; which is better depends on your phone, the length of your trip, and which islands you're visiting.
At a Glance: Quick Overview
Local Operators: Two: Alou (formerly CV Móvel) and Unitel T+.
Option 1: A travel eSIM, bought online before you fly.
Option 2: An official local eSIM from a Cape Verdean operator, also bought before travel.
Option 3: A physical local SIM card, bought on arrival.
Coverage: Reliable 4G on Sal, Boa Vista, São Vicente, and Santiago; patchier on the smaller and more rural islands.
How Much Data: Around 3–5 GB for a typical week; 10 GB if you share lots of photos and video.
Section 1: The Two Local Networks
Every option ultimately runs on one of these.
Alou. Formerly CV Móvel, the brand of the historic national telecom company. It's widely described as having the widest coverage across all the inhabited islands.
Unitel T+. Launched in 2007 as T+, it broke the national company's monopoly and is now owned by the Angolan telecom group Unitel. It's strong in the main tourist areas.
Which Is Better? Both work well in towns and tourist areas. Reports differ on which has the edge, and it can vary by island and even by valley. If you're heading somewhere remote, ask locally which network works best there.
Section 2: Option 1: A Travel eSIM
Connected the moment you land.
How It Works. You buy a Cape Verde data plan online or through an app from an international eSIM provider, such as Airalo, Saily, or others, install it on your phone before you leave, and switch it on when you arrive. It connects to one of the local networks automatically.
The Advantages.
Instant Connectivity. You'll have data as soon as you land, useful for contacting your driver, checking directions, or messaging your accommodation from the airport.
Keep Your Home SIM. Your usual SIM stays in your phone, so you can still receive text messages and security codes from your bank.
No Queue. No need to find a phone shop or register at a kiosk on arrival.
The Drawbacks.
Data Only. Most travel eSIMs are data-only, so calls and messages go through WhatsApp or similar apps, which is enough for most travellers.
Cost. Travel eSIMs generally cost more per gigabyte than a local SIM, although far less than roaming. Plans start from just a few Euros for small amounts of data, so compare providers and plan sizes.
One Network. A travel eSIM usually uses a single local carrier, so if that network is weak where you're going, you can't easily switch.
Compatibility. Your phone must be unlocked and eSIM-compatible. Most recent iPhones, and recent Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel models, support eSIM.
Section 3: Option 2: An Official Local eSIM
The best of both worlds, and often overlooked.
Both Alou and Unitel T+ now offer eSIMs of their own. Unitel T+'s tourist eSIM, called Morabeza, can be bought before you travel without presenting identification: you create an account online, and the eSIM must be activated within 45 days of purchase. That gives you local network pricing with the convenience of a travel eSIM. Check both operators' official websites for current plans and conditions.
Section 4: Option 3: A Physical Local SIM Card
The cheapest option for longer stays.
Where to Buy. Buy at the operators' official shops and kiosks, found at the main airports and in town centres, including central Mindelo, Praia's Plateau district, Sal Rei on Boa Vista, and Santa Maria on Sal. Smaller shops sometimes sell SIMs but often can't complete the registration step.
What It Costs. The SIM card itself costs around 100–200 CVE, plus the data bundle you choose. Ask explicitly about tourist bundles, since operators don't always advertise them first.
Registration. You'll need your passport. At official shops, registration usually takes 10–15 minutes, and staff will generally set up your phone and check that data is working before you leave.
The Advantages. A local SIM is cheaper per gigabyte, especially for stays of more than a week, and gives you a Cape Verdean number with local calls and texts, useful for calling hotels, drivers, and excursion operators.
The Drawbacks. You'll swap out your home SIM, unless your phone supports two SIMs, and you'll need to find an official shop and wait in line.
Payment. Some smaller kiosks accept cash in Escudos only, so bring some.
Section 5: Which Should You Choose?
A quick guide.
Short Trip, eSIM-Compatible Phone: A travel eSIM or a local operator's eSIM. Instant, easy, and your home number stays active.
Longer Stay, or Heavy Data Use: A physical local SIM, or a local eSIM, for the best price per gigabyte.
Older Phone Without eSIM: A physical local SIM card.
Need a Local Number: A physical local SIM.
Visiting Remote Islands or Hiking: Consider having access to both networks, for example a travel eSIM on one network and a local SIM on the other, if your phone supports it.
Section 6: Coverage by Island
What to expect where.
Sal & Boa Vista. Reliable 4G in the resort areas and main towns.
São Vicente. Good 4G across Mindelo and Laginha. Signal can dip in places around the island, including on the higher slopes of Monte Verde.
Santiago. Good coverage in Praia and the main towns, with gaps in the mountainous interior.
Santo Antão & Fogo. More limited signal, often 3G in rural zones, and minimal to no signal in remote hiking areas on Santo Antão and around the Fogo volcano.
Between Islands. Expect to lose signal at sea on longer ferry crossings.
Section 7: Practical Tips
A few habits that make connectivity easier.
Download Offline Maps. Before any hike, scooter trip, or drive into the interior, download offline maps with Google Maps or Maps.me. Don't count on signal in the mountains.
Use Wi-Fi Where You Can. Most hotels, guesthouses, and many cafés offer Wi-Fi, though speeds vary.
No Ride-Hailing Apps. There's no Uber or equivalent in Cape Verde. You'll use taxis and alugueres, so a local number or WhatsApp is handy for arranging drivers.
Save Key Numbers. Save your accommodation's number, a local taxi number, and your travel insurance emergency line before you travel.
Check Before You Buy. Plans, prices, and conditions change often. Check the operators' official websites, or current eSIM comparisons, before you buy.
Continue Planning Your Trip
For everything to arrange before you fly, read our guide to Cape Verde Entry Requirements. For island-specific essentials, see the First-Timer's Guide to São Vicente, the First-Timer's Guide to Santiago, or the First-Timer's Guide to Boa Vista.