Transports in Santo Antão

Transport in Cape Verde is regulated.

I can only transport tourists or goods if I have a license: ALUGUER.

For our transfers we will therefore talk about colectivo or taxi !

What is a colectivo?

As its name suggests, it is a means of collective transport.

The driver picks up several customers who want to go to the same place. When he thinks he has enough passengers, he can leave. Each passenger pays for his trip.

What is a Taxi?

The vehicle is privatized and therefore reserved. The price in this case is the same regardless of the number of passengers. It is agreed that the driver can stop at a few places to allow photos to be taken.

(The driver may ask you if he can pick up a passenger who is standing on the side of the road. Under no circumstances should he do so without asking your permission.)

How are prices set?

Prices are set by the Cape Verdean authorities, in consultation with the transporters' union.

The basic principle is quite simple:

- In Colectivo, count about 15ECV per Km. Each passenger must pay it.

- By taxi, multiply by 10; that is to say 150ECV per Km, whatever the number of passengers.

For example, you are traveling between Ponta do Sol and Ribeira Grande. It is about 5Km distance. The fare per person in colectivo is 70ECV. If you choose to make this trip by taxi, it will be 700ECV.

It is not customary to bargain in Cape Verde! Prices are the same for locals and tourists.

Caution and safety:

To avoid any problems when getting out of the vehicle, only talk about colectivo or taxi. When you get into the vehicle, ask the driver to confirm the price.

Another thing to be careful about is alcohol. Most drivers are serious and do not drink while working. However, if you smell a driver with a slightly alcoholic odor, do not take the vehicle.

In the event of a conflict:

If you have any doubts about the honesty of your driver, or if he asks you to pay the price of a taxi when you took a colectivo, don't let him do it!

Several things:

- Ask him to show you the document with the legal rate. All drivers must have it.

- Tell him that you (and he) are going to the police to sort it out. In many cases, this calms the ardor of dishonest people.

- Take a photo of the driver and especially of his license plate.

- Talk to your host about it.

Zero tolerance

You should not accept an illegal tariff on the pretext that it is too little for you Europeans.

One of Santo Antão's strengths is being able to tell tourists "trust us, no problem."

By not letting anything slip, dishonest drivers will be reprimanded, and others will not be tempted to copy these practices.