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Sal, Cape Verde · Tropical

Sal in January: go or not?

Excellent time. Sal in January scores 8.7/10.

📅 Updated August 2026 🛰️ ERA5 · 10 years 📍 16.73°N · 22.93°W
⚡ This month's verdict
Go for it
Sal · January
8.7
20–25°
Temperature
0%
Rain
6h
Sun
🌴 Tropical☀️ High UV🌧️ Monsoon season
Photo : Datingscout via Unsplash
The month in detail

What to expect in January

January is peak dry season in Sal. The air is warm and humidity more bearable than in the rainy season. Rain is virtually absent (0.0% of days) — ideal for planning without a backup. A good balance between weather and crowds, even if November (9.0/10) remains theoretically better.

January ranks 7 out of 12 months in Sal. Compared to December: −2°F daytime, +0.9h of sun per day.

This month's conditions

What it's like in January

UV index
7 · high
sunscreen and hat advised
Feels like
comfortable
16°
Sea
24°C
pleasant for swimming
Daylight
11.1h of daylight
Air quality
poor
AQI 73
Compare

Is January the right month?

The best month in Sal is November (9.0/10), 0.3 pt higher than January.

See November →See all 12 months →
Context

Our verdict

Sal, gateway to Cape Verde: a flat desert island whose appeal lies entirely in the sea. A curious data point: September and October drop to 6.9/10 due to late rains brought by the Intertropical Convergence Zone (rare but striking).

Read Gilles' full review →

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 · Sal
Expedia →
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Activities
Tours, tickets, experiences
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Flights
Multi-airline comparator
Kiwi →

🎟️ Activities & tours · Sal

GetYourGuide selection · free cancellation

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Affiliate link · GetYourGuide
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 ⓘ+3.26°F/decade
🔥Hottest monthSeptember · 86°F
❄️Coolest monthFebruary · 75°F
🌧️Rainiest month ⓘSeptember · 23%

🏝️ Tropical stay

🌞Dry season ⓘMay → Sep
🌧️Wet season ⓘDec → Mar
🌀Cyclones ⓘSeason Nov-Apr
Explore

Other destinations in January

If January doesn't convince you for this destination, compare with others.

Similar climate
Cabo San LucasMexicoLoretoMexicoCape VerdeCape VerdeNouakchottMauritaniaKhartoumSudan
Nearby
DakarSenegal630 kmBanjulGambia774 kmSenegalSenegal941 kmBissauGuinea-Bissau957 km
Other top picks
PeruPeru8.7Sharm el-SheikhEgypt8.6Marsa AlamEgypt8.8GuanajuatoMexico8.5HurghadaEgypt8.5
← DecemberFebruary →
🗺️ See all 754 destinations on the map
Location

Where is Sal ?

Global position + regional geographic context.

🌍 World
🔍 Geographic context
Cape Verde
Tropical climate with a 9.0 → 5.6 gap between best and worst month. 10 years of ERA5 data to choose by project.
16.73°N · 22.93°W
Questions

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Sal?
November is the best month with 82°F highs, 73°F lows, 6.3h of sunshine and 5.0% rainy days. The months of November & April offer comparable conditions.
How many hours of sunshine does Sal get in November?
Sal averages 6.3 sunshine hours per day in November. It is the sunniest month with a climate score of 8.6/10.
What is the rainiest month in Sal?
September is the most unfavourable month with September has the lowest climate score of the year and the lowest climate score of the year.
What are the temperatures at night in Sal in November?
In November, overnight lows reach 73°F, while afternoon highs average 82°F.
Is Sal good in winter?
In winter (December-February), Sal scores 8.2/10 on average — Acceptable conditions for cultural visits.. The best month overall remains November with a score of 8.6/10.
When should you avoid Sal?
September is the most difficult month to visit Sal, with September has the lowest climate score of the year. Climate conditions are at their lowest of the year during this period.
Can you swim in Sal in January?
In January, the sea averages 75°F in Sal: pleasant for swimming. Swimming is pleasant without a wetsuit.
Do you need sun protection in Sal in January?
The average UV index reaches 7 in January in Sal (high), with about 11.1h of daylight. Sunscreen and hat advised.