Money & Payments in Sal

Availability

Widely available in Sal at airports, city centers, and near banks; operates 'Vinti4' system

Dispense Currency

Escudos only

Withdrawal Limits

CVE 20,000

Typical Fees Per Withdrawal

CVE 200

Note On Fees

Foreign cards typically charged 200-500 CVE per withdrawal by Cape Verdean banks; additional fees may apply from your home bank

Is Mandatory

No

Taxi Drivers

Rounding up fare appreciated but not expected

Bars And CaféS

Rounding up or leaving small change is common

Cultural Context

Not mandatory, but appreciated as gesture of gratitude; aligns with local philosophy of 'Morabeza' (hospitality and kindness)

Practical Tips

• Notify your bank before traveling to avoid card declined issues
• Carry small denomination notes (100, 200, 500 CVE) for tips and small purchases; larger notes (2,000-5,000 CVE) are hard to break in local shops
• Carry backup EUR cash as emergency reserve
• Withdraw cash at major bank ATMs; avoid ATMs in small shops
• ATMs may run out of cash on weekends and holidays—plan withdrawals ahead
• Beware of unofficial guides offering ATM assistance; politely decline to protect PIN security
• Clarify currency and total price with taxi drivers and vendors before transaction to avoid unfavorable EUR-to-CVE conversion

Visa

Most widely accepted at hotels, resorts, and larger restaurants in Sal's tourist areas (Santa Maria)

Mastercard

Common but less universal than Visa; accepted at major establishments

American Express

Rarely accepted

Contactless Payments

Rare; available at some modern hotels and tourist restaurants in Santa Maria but coverage inconsistent

Acceptance Outside Tourist Zones

Significantly drops in local neighborhoods; small shops, local restaurants, markets, taxis operate cash-only

Fixed Rate Applied

Most vendors use 100 CVE = 1 EUR for convenience, but official rate is 110.265 CVE = 1 EUR

Tip

Paying in CVE at smaller establishments is approximately 9% cheaper than paying in EUR due to informal rounding

Widely Accepted In

Tourist zones, resort hotels, larger restaurants (especially Santa Maria area)

Where To Exchange

Avoid airport exchange desks (poor rates); use local banks or exchange offices in Santa Maria

Recommended Preparation

Bring EUR as backup; exchange to CVE upon arrival for better rates

Bank Branches

Multiple banks have branches in Sal with ATM and online banking; banking hours are Monday–Friday 08:00–15:00

Notable Banks

Caixa Económica (largest, emigrant-focused products), BCN (recommended for expats, shorter lines, better service), Banco Atlântico (tourist-friendly)

ATM Availability

Vinti4 ATMs present in major towns and tourist areas; cash withdrawal possible using international cards

Foreign Currency Accounts

Major banks (Caixa Económica, BCN, Banco Atlântico) offer multi-currency accounts in EUR, USD, and GBP for expats