Cape Verde Travel Warning: Check Insurance for Medical Care and Extreme Sports

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The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued updated travel guidance for British visitors to Cape Verde, warning tourists to check their insurance before travelling as not all activities will be covered. Holidaymakers have been told to check if their travel insurance covers medical care, repatriation costs and extreme sports, and consider this before booking recreational activities. The warning comes as officials highlight that medical evacuation is likely following incidents such as quad bike accidents, due to the limited healthcare facilities on the islands.

The FCDO has stated that medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable. The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente, with smaller medical facilities and clinics located throughout the country. Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult. Britons should check the FCDO's website for information on medical providers in Cape Verde who speak English. Tourists on medication are advised to bring a sufficient amount due to the lack of medicines on the island. It is essential to have travel insurance that covers local treatment or medical evacuation as the Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted.

In other travel news, TUI has announced a new flight route from the UK to a Caribbean holiday destination. New direct flights will journey from Belfast International Airport to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, launching in summer 2026. The service, which will be Belfast's only direct route to the Caribbean nation, will begin operations on June 20, 2026. Holidaymakers can book 14-night stays across multiple Dominican resorts, including La Romana, Bayahibe, San Pedro de Macoris, Punta Cana, Bavaro, Cap Cana, Miches and Uvero Alto. The Foreign Office has also warned tourists about pickpocketing, bag snatching, burglary and muggings, although the government website states "The crime rate in Cape Verde is generally low." To protect themselves and their belongings, tourists can take steps such as being aware of their surroundings and keeping valuables secure.

Here are some key points to consider when travelling to Cape Verde: * Medical facilities are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable * The largest hospitals are in Praia on Santiago and Mindelo on São Vicente * Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista * The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult * It is essential to have travel insurance that covers local treatment or medical evacuation as the Global Health Insurance Cards (GHIC) are not accepted * Tourists should check the FCDO's website for information on medical providers in Cape Verde who speak English * Tourists on medication are advised to bring a sufficient amount due to the lack of medicines on the island * The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries * Purchasing medication in Cape Verde can only be done from a registered pharmacy * A comprehensive list of Cape Verde's registered pharmacies, approved by the Ministry of Health, is accessible online.

The FCDO has also stated that quad biking is considered an extreme sport and is unlikely to be included in travel insurance policies. Medical evacuation is likely following incidents such as quad bike accidents, due to the limited healthcare facilities on the islands. It's a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike, and insurance policies may be invalidated if an accident occurs without a helmet being worn. Britons should check their insurance policies before participating in any recreational activities, and consider the risks involved.