The month in detail
What to expect in December
December is peak dry season in Cape Verde. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain is virtually absent (3% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if May (9.0/10) remains theoretically better.
December ranks 6 out of 12 months in Cape Verde. Compared to November: −2°C daytime.
This month's conditions
What it's like in December
UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
muggy at times
17°
Sea
26°C
warm, ideal
Daylight
11.1h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 76
Compare
Is December the right month?
The best month in Cape Verde is May (9.0/10), 0.2 pt higher than December.
Book
Plan your trip
Hotels at their lowest outside peak season, highest on comfortable months. Shoulder seasons offer a good price/climate compromise.
Stay
Hotels & rentals · Cape Verde
Expedia →
Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
See ↓
Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →
🎟️ Activities & tours · Cape Verde
GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation
Practical info
What you need to know before you go
Three angles: the country (language, currency, safety, budget), the year-round climate, and the specifics of a tropical stay.
Country · Cape Verde
🗣️LanguagePortuguese
💶CurrencyEscudo cap-verdien ($)
🚗DrivingRight-hand
🛡️Safety ⓘVery safe · 1/5
💰Cost of living ⓘCheap · 2/5
🌡️ Climate
🌍Climate typeTropical
📈Climate trend ⓘStable
🔥Hottest monthOctober · 30°C
❄️Coolest monthFebruary · 25°C
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 20%
🏝️ Tropical stay
🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore
Other destinations in December
If December doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.
Location
Where is Cape Verde ?
Global position + regional geographic context.
🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Cape VerdeTropical climate with a 9.0 → 5.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
14.93°N · 23.51°W
Questions
Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit Cape Verde?
November is the best month with 28.0°C highs, 23.0°C lows, 6.2h of sunshine and 2.0% rainy days. The months of November & May offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Cape Verde get in November?
Cape Verde averages 6.2 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.7/10.
What is the rainiest month in Cape Verde?
August is the most unfavourable month with August has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Cape Verde in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 23.0°C, while afternoon highs average 28.0°C.
Is Cape Verde good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Cape Verde scores 8.4/10 on average — Decent period conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 8.7/10.
When should you avoid Cape Verde?
August is the most difficult month to visit Cape Verde, with August has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Cape Verde in December?
In December, the sea averages 26°C in Cape Verde: warm, ideal. Ideal conditions for swimming and snorkeling.
Do you need sun protection in Cape Verde in December?
The average UV index reaches 7 in December in Cape Verde (high), with about 11.1h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.