Cape Verde — Shopping
Shopping
Shopping in the islands is low-key and is mainly in local markets. Toiletries and other day-to-day items can be expensive as most things are imported, but the markets are a great place to look for handicrafts. Basket-weaving is a popular past-time, and artists fashion utensils and figurines from clay.
Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1900.
Currency
Cape Verde Escudo (CVE) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of CVE5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CVE200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 1.
Currency Exchange
Available at the airport and in local banks. Currency cannot be reconverted, except in Portugal.
Credit Cards, Debit Cards, and ATMs
Credit cards are rarely used. A few major hotels accept Visa. Currency can be obtained in banks from credit cards but charges are very high. There are ATMs in Sal, Praia and Sâo Vincent.
Travelers Checks
Accepted in main towns and tourist areas, though the exchange can often be problematic.
Currency Restrictions
The import and export of local currency is prohibited. The import of foreign currency is unlimited, subject to declaration on and arrival and on departure. The export of foreign currency is limited to the equivalent of CVE1,000,000 or the amount declared on arrival, whichever is the larger.
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri 0800-1400.
Exchange Rate
| 1.00 GBP = 127.14 CVE |
| 1.00 USD = 79.15 CVE |
| 1.00 EUR = 111.73 CVE |
| Currency conversion rates as of 19 July 2011 |
