How to Buy a Prepaid SIM Card for Cape Verde? (Tourist Guide)

Staying connected during your trip is important. One of the easiest ways to get online while traveling in Cape Verde is by getting a prepaid SIM card.

This guide will help you find the best options for mobile internet in Cape Verde and show you where to buy SIM cards at great prices. You’ll also discover helpful tips about SIM cards from experienced travelers that you might not find elsewhere.

I. What are the Best Cape Verde SIM cards for Tourists?

If you want to buy a SIM card in Cape Verde, I recommend going with CVMóvel. It has the best coverage and the best variety in plans and packages.

1. CV Móvel

Netmóvel – CVMóvel:

Netmóvel plans are data bundles with speeds up to 7 Mbps.

Price	Plan	Data	Speed (Download/Upload)	Validity
40 CVE – 0.4 USD	Netmóvel Dia	25 MB	2 Mbps/1 Mbps	24 hours
490 CVE – 4.94 USD	Netmóvel Mensal Light	1000 MB	2 Mbps/1 Mbps	30 days
850 CVE – 8.56 USD	Netmóvel Mensal	3000 MB	2 Mbps/1 Mbps	30 days
2500 CVE – 25.18 USD	NetMóvel Platinium	10 000 MB	7 Mbps/3 Mbps	30 days

Servico Recarga Megas (Data Recharge Service) – CV Móvel

The Servico Recarga Megas (Data Recharge Service) is not a traditional plan. Instead, it converts top-ups into data (without 5G NR access) instead of credit.

Top-Up	Data
50 CVE – 499 CVE (0.5 USD – 5.03 USD)	167 MB – 1663 MB
500 CVE – 1999 CVE (5.04 USD – 20.13 USD)	2000 MB – 7996 MB
3000 CVE – 3999 CVE (30.22 USD – 40. 28 USD)	25 000 MB – 33 325 MB
4000 CVE – 4999 CVE (40.29 USD – 50.35 USD)	44 444 MB – 55 544 MB

Net N@ Mon 3G – CVMóvel

The Net N@ Mon 3G are data bundles with speeds up to 14 Mbps.

Price	Plan	Data	Speed (Download/Upload)	Validity	Activation Code
90 CVE – 0.9 USD	Net N@ Mon Dia	20 MB	2 Mbps/512 Kbps	24 hours	SMS to 2010
440 CVE – 4.43 USD	Net N@ Mon Semanal	200 MB	2 Mbps/512 Kbps	7 days	SMS to 2015
690 CVE – 6.95 USD	Net N@ Mon Basé Livre	1300 MB	14 Mbps/5 Mbps	30 days	SMS to 3140
1250 CVE – 12.59 USD	Net N@ Mon Premium	5000 MB	14 Mbps/5 Mbps	30 days	SMS to 2090

2. Unitel T+

Unitel T+ Plan – Unitel T+/T-Mais by Unitel

The Unitel T+ Plan is combo plan for youngsters between 12 and 30 years old with data (without 5G NR access), minutes & SMS.

Dial #707# to activate Unitel T+ Plan:

Price	Plan	Data	Local Minutes	Local SMS	Validity
50 CVE – 0.5 USD	Play Dia	150 MB	Unlimited	Unlimited	1 day
150 CVE – 1.51 USD	Score	1000 MB	Unlimited	Unlimited	7 days
500 CVE – 5.04 USD	High Score	5000 MB	Unlimited	Unlimited	30 days

Planos de Internet no Telemóvel (Mobile Internet Plans) – Unitel T+/T-Mais by Unitel

The Planos de Internet no Telemóvel (Mobile Internet Plans) are data bundles (without 5G NR access).

Dial #450# to activate Planos de Internet no Telemóvel:

Price	Data	Validity
50 CVE – 0.5 USD	20 MB	1 day
250 CVE – 2.52 USD	250 MB	7 days
500 CVE – 5.04 USD	1000 MB	30 days
1250 CVE – 12.59 USD	5000 MB	30 days

II. Where to Buy SIM Cards in Cape Verde for Tourists?

You can get a Cape Verdean SIM card from CVMóvel and Unitel T+/T-Mais by visiting their stores. Note that SIM cards are not available at Sal/Amílcar Cabral International Airport or Boa Vista-Aristides Pereira International Airport.

Here’s what you can expect to pay for Cape Verdean SIM cards:

• CVMóvel (by Cabo Verde Telecom): 100 CVE.

• Unitel T+/T-Mais (by Unitel): 100 CVE or 200 CVE.

1. Buy a Physical SIM Card Before Departure

You can choose to buy a SIM card in stores or online.

• In Stores: Look for stores that sell travel SIM cards for Cape Verde. Usually, you won’t need to provide personal information to register the SIM.

• Online: Pick a travel SIM provider, enter your home address, and wait for delivery.

Pros: Affordable prices and you can be ready to connect when you arrive.

Cons: You may need to visit stores (if you choose that option) and you’ll have to swap your current SIM card.

2. Buy in Cape Verde Cities After Arrival

You can purchase SIM cards in cities after you arrive. Here are some tips for buying SIM cards in major cities. 

Pros: Cheaper than airport prices and more plan options.

Cons: You may face language barriers, need to search for stores, and will have to register the SIM.

By considering these options, you can choose the best way to stay connected during your trip to Cape Verde!

III. How Much is a Tourist Cape Verde SIM Card?

SIM cards in Cape Verde usually cost affordably between $0.5 USD and $50.35 USD. Bigger data plans cost more money, while smaller packages start around $1 USD.

Prices differ depending on which cell phone company and plan you pick. But any will give you what you need for your trip – data, calls and texts.

IV. What types of Cape Verde SIM cards are available for tourists?

In Cape Verde, there are two main types of SIM cards for tourists: physical SIM cards and digital eSIMs.

Criteria	Prepaid Physical Cape Verde SIM Card	Prepaid Cape Verde eSIM
Features	– Separate physical nano-SIM card .  – Includes data-only and data + calls and texts plans.	– Integrated digital SIM profile.  – Includes data-only and data + calls and texts plans.
How it Works	Insert the nano-SIM card into your phone.	Scan a QR code to activate the eSIM profile on a compatible phone
Where to Buy	Online before departure, mobile carrier stores, electronics retailers, gas stations, airports.	Online from mobile carriers or multi-country eSIM providers
Cost	Usually 2 USD to 12 USD for a starter pack	Typically similar or slightly higher than physical SIM
Pros	– Widely available.  – No compatibility issues.	– No need to insert a SIM card.  – Easy to switch between providers and countries.  – Faster activation.  – No need to show your passport.
Cons	– Requires visiting stores and inserting a SIM card.  – Risk of losing your primary SIM.  – Possible connectivity issues if swapped too often	– Limited provider and phone compatibility.

From the table, you can see that eSIMs offer more convenience if your phone supports them, while physical SIMs are easy to use but require inserting a nano-SIM card.

V. Do I Need to Buy a Sim Card for Cape Verde travel?

Yes, you should buy a SIM card for your trip to Cape Verde.

Getting a local prepaid SIM card in Cape Verde gives you stable and fast internet access throughout your travels. Cape Verde’s mobile networks cover almost the entire country, including rural areas. With a SIM card, you can easily find directions, translate text, read restaurant reviews, and more while on the move.

Having a SIM card means you won’t have to rely on public WiFi hotspots, which many Cape Verde prefer to avoid for privacy reasons.

Good to know: Not all cafes or restaurants in Cape Verde offer free WiFi. Cape Verde value their privacy and often avoid using unsecured WiFi.

VI. What to prepare when buying a SIM card in Cape Verde? 

SIM card registration, with the use of your personal information (such as your passport), is not required when buying a SIM card in Cape Verde.

But to be sure, you still need to prepare some important documents, such as your passport and ID card for special cases. 

► Recommendation: We recommend not buying a prepaid SIM card at random stores. Besides, consider using an eSIM. With just a simple click, you can get your eSIM for Cape Verde on your phone almost instantly.

VII. Cape Verde eSIM – alternative to Tourist SIM cards

eSIM technology is becoming increasingly popular, and mobile carriers around the world are quickly adopting it.

However, if you buy an eSIM from a mobile operator in Cape Verde, you must follow the country’s SIM card registration rules. To avoid this hassle, it’s better to purchase an eSIM from a provider like Gigago.

For Cape Verde, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 7 days with $10.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Cape Verde eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $10.50 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Cape Verde, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

VIII. How long does a tourist SIM card last in Cape Verde?

The duration of a tourist SIM card in Cape Verde depends on the provider and the package you choose. Typically, these SIM cards are meant for short-term visits and may have validity periods like:

• 7 days

• 14 days

• 30 days

For example, CV Móvel offers popular data packages that many travelers use. Some providers may also offer flexible options or extensions if you need more time. It’s a good idea to check the details with the provider when you buy the SIM card to make sure it fits your stay.

IX. How to activate a SIM card in Cape Verde? 

Here are the steps to use a Cape Verde tourist SIM:

1. Using Prepaid Cape Verde Tourist SIM Cards

• Choose a prepaid SIM card from providers like CV Móvel or Unitel T+.

• Remove your current SIM card and insert the new SIM into your unlocked phone.

• Turn on your phone to connect to the mobile network.

• Follow the instructions that come with the SIM card (available in English).

• Save customer service numbers in case you need help while traveling.

2. Setting Up and Activating Cape Verde eSIM

• Make sure your phone is unlocked and supports eSIM.

• Choose an eSIM provider like Gigago.

• Purchase an eSIM plan online.

• Check your email for a confirmation that includes a QR code.

FAQs

Travel SIM cards are essential for tourists visiting Cape Verde, as they provide an easy way to stay connected. By purchasing a local prepaid SIM card, you can enjoy reliable data, calling, and texting services on Cape Verde’s strong mobile networks. If you have a device that supports eSIM, using an eSIM can be a convenient alternative.