Cape Verde in December is very good: the dry season is established, with about 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon and 20 to 21 °C (68 to 70 °F) at night in Sal, and only 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain on average. Two reservations: the trade winds strengthen and the sea cools, and the Christmas holidays push prices up at the end of the month.
Here is the weather in Cape Verde in December island by island, what you can do there and how to plan around the festive season. To compare with the rest of the year, see our page on when to go to Cape Verde.
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Cape Verde in December: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ dry and pleasant; very high prices over the festive season
- Sal: 26.1 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon, 20.5 °C (69 °F) at night, 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain
- Praia (Santiago): 27.8 °C (82 °F), 8 mm (0.3 in); Mindelo (São Vicente): 25.8 °C (78 °F), 1 mm (0.04 in)
- Wind: trade winds picking up, a good time for kitesurfing and windsurfing
- Good to know: dry haze (harmattan) possible from December to March
- Booking: 3 to 5 months ahead for Christmas and New Year
Weather in Cape Verde in December
The archipelago is dry and sunny in December. Differences between the islands are small: Santiago, in the south, is the warmest and São Vicente slightly milder. The table gives the 1991-2020 normals for the three main stations.
| Station | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport) | 26.1 °C (79 °F) | 20.5 °C (69 °F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Praia (Santiago) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) | – | 8 mm (0.3 in) |
| Mindelo (São Vicente) | 25.8 °C (78 °F) | – | 1 mm (0.04 in) |
Compared with November (28.1 °C (83 °F) and 1 mm (0.04 in) in Sal), the heat drops by about two degrees and the wind strengthens. January and February are a little cooler still. In the evening a light sweater is useful, especially on a terrace facing the wind.
Wind, sea and dry haze
The north-east trade winds blow hard from December to April. That is excellent news for kitesurfers, less so for anyone who wants to sunbathe on an exposed beach in Sal or Boa Vista, where the wind lifts the sand. The water enters its coolest period, which runs from January to April: swimming is still possible, but it is less warm than in October-November. From December to March, the harmattan can also bring a haze of dust from the Sahara (bruma seca) that veils the sun, sometimes for several days. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026) notes that sandstorms (bruma seca) can happen between December and February and, when intense, can disrupt air travel, especially on Boa Vista; if it happens during your stay, contact your tour operator or airline. This dry haze also affects the following month: the weather in Cape Verde in January covers the sea and wind.
Which island to choose in December
- Sal and Boa Vista: near-certain sunshine, long beaches, kitesurfing (Kite Beach and Ponta Preta in Sal). Look for a hotel on a sheltered beach if the wind bothers you.
- Santiago (Praia, Cidade Velha): the warmest of the large islands, ideal for combining heritage with hiking in the interior.
- São Vicente and Santo Antão: Mindelo for its music scene, Santo Antão for hiking: November to March is the most comfortable period for walking.
- Fogo: a good season for climbing Pico do Fogo, early in the morning; nights are cool in the caldera.
Things to do in Cape Verde in December
Kitesurfing, windsurfing and surfing
December opens the best season for wind sports, which lasts until April. The winter swell also attracts surfers, notably at Ponta Preta in Sal, from December to March. Beginners should choose a school and a spot suited to them, as currents can be strong.
Hiking on Santo Antão and Fogo
Mild temperatures suit walking: the terraced valleys and ridges of Santo Antão, reached by ferry from Mindelo, or the climb up the Fogo volcano. Check ferry and domestic flight timetables, which are often irregular.
Beach and relaxing
The sun is out, but think about the wind and the cooler water. Hotels with a pool or a sheltered beach are a good compromise. Tides and currents around the islands are very strong: use beaches with a lifeguard on duty and respect the warning flags (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026).
What to avoid in December
- Counting on a very warm, calm sea: aim for October-November or May-June instead
- Booking late for Christmas and New Year: flight availability is limited
- Planning tight connections between islands: ferries and domestic flights often change schedule
Events in December
There is no major cultural festival in December: the mood is that of the year-end holidays, widely celebrated in the resorts of Sal and Boa Vista. The Mindelo carnival, the best known in the country, takes place in February or March. Event dates change every year: check them with the organisers or the Cape Verde tourist office.
Crowds and prices in December
The first half of December is still quiet and prices moderate. From the Christmas holidays, demand soars and Cape Verde reaches its highest prices of the year until early January. Book flights and accommodation 3 to 5 months ahead for this period. Most travellers arrive at Amílcar Cabral airport in Sal.
What to pack
- Summer clothes and a light sweater or sweatshirt for the evening
- A light windbreaker, useful on exposed beaches
- Walking shoes and warm clothes for Fogo or the high ground of Santo Antão
- Sunscreen and a hat: the wind hides the feeling of heat
- Wraparound sunglasses against sand lifted by the wind
Before you go
For visa-free stays, passport validity and pre-arrival registration, see our guide to the entry requirements for Cape Verde. Time difference in December: Cape Verde is on UTC−1 all year, so it is 1 hour behind London (GMT) and 4 hours ahead of New York (EST).
If December does not suit you
Neighbouring months: November is one of the best months of the year (28 °C (82 °F), sea still warm, moderate prices outside the autumn holidays). Cape Verde in February is the coolest and one of the windiest months, with the carnival. For a calmer sea, look at Cape Verde in April or May-June.
Other destinations in December: for more heat, compare with Guadeloupe or Dubai; for another Atlantic island, see Tenerife in December. Find all our ideas on the page where to go in December.
To plan the rest of your stay, read our Cape Verde travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Cape Verde in December?
Dry and sunny: about 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon and 20.5 °C (69 °F) at night in Sal, with 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain on average according to the 1991-2020 normals. The wind strengthens and a dry haze can veil the sky on some days.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in December?
Yes, but the water is cooling and the wind blows hard on the exposed beaches of Sal and Boa Vista. Prefer sheltered beaches and follow the safety guidance: currents can be strong.
Which Cape Verde island should you choose in December?
Sal or Boa Vista for the beach and kitesurfing, Santiago for warmth and heritage, Santo Antão and Fogo for hiking, which is comfortable there from November to March.
Does it rain in Cape Verde in December?
Very little: 3 mm (0.1 in) on average in Sal, 8 mm (0.3 in) in Praia and 1 mm (0.04 in) in Mindelo. The rainy season runs from August to October.
Is Cape Verde expensive in December?
Prices are moderate until mid-December, then peak over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Book 3 to 5 months ahead for this period.
Is it warm enough in Cape Verde at Christmas?
Yes, for winter sun: about 26 °C (79 °F) in the afternoon in Sal. The wind and the cooler water, however, make it feel less warm than in the Caribbean at the same time of year.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization, 1991-2020 climate normals (NOAA archive): stations of Sal (Amílcar Cabral airport), Praia (Nelson Mandela airport) and Mindelo
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Cape Verde (GOV.UK, updated 28 July 2026, read on 11 November 2026)
- Clock-change rules: GOV.UK, When do the clocks change and NIST, Daylight Saving Time; Cape Verde time zone (UTC−1, no daylight saving time): IANA time zone database, read on 11 November 2026
- Data taken from our page on when to go to Cape Verde
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.