Hostels in PRAIA, CAPE VERDE

The Capital City Praia in Cape Verde

The largest city of Cape Verde, the City Praia is the capital city of the island. Located in the Atlantic Ocean west of Senegal, it is also the ferry port of the island and houses one of the four international airports in the island. City centre is known as Plateau because it is located on a small plateau.

Accommodation
City has star rated hotels as well as budget hotels for cheap accommodation, not forgetting youth hostels. Guest house and resorts can be found on the beaches. While a few bed and breakfast joints are available there are no youth hostels in the city. Rented apartments can be hired for long stay in the city. Beautiful natural sceneries can be enjoyed at Pico da Antonio, the highest mountain in Santiago Island, Monte Txota, fishing harbour at Calheta Celeste, and seaside town and fishing port at Tarrafal with shining golden soft sands, and palm tree line beaches. Camping accommodations are available in these sites.

Brief History
Paria de Santa Maria first came to limelight in 1615, when it was used as the port of the island and with people from Ribiera Grande migrating to the city. A city of fishing industries and resorts, presently Praia is also the seat of the Praia Municipality besides being the capital of Cape Verde. Currently it houses over 115,000 inhabitants. It became the capital in 1770 following decline of Riberia Grande now known as Cidade Velha. City status was granted to it in 1858. Charles Drawin visited it in his famous voyage on board HMS Beagle and started his journal here.

Getting Around
Travellers can obtain help from the city guide books for hassle free travel. One can reach the city through the Praia International Airport using TACV Cabo Verde Airlines. Else the port can be used for cruising into the city.

Popular Places and Monuments
Most of the colonial buildings and the museums are located to Prac Alexandra Albuquerque that is the most impressive square in the old part of the city also known as Plato. Highlights include the 19th century Presidential Palace, Igreja Nossa Senhora da Graca Church, Palacio da Cultura housing the Internet café and bookshop.

Views of the bay and IIheu de Santa Maria can be experienced from the fortified walls of the city. Ethnographic museum and monument de Gomes are a couple of exotic sites to view. Another place of interest for visitors is the bustling fruit and vegetable markets, famous for its bananas.

Currency
Unit of currency in Cape Verde used in City Praia is the Escudo or CVE. As it is a local currency, the travellers cannot get any before coming to the city. Current exchange rate of CVE tied to Euro is 110.27 CVE for one Euro and 82.50 CVE for one USD. ATMs are found in airport and port areas while Visa and Master Card are accepted in a few hotels and restaurants. Carrying traveller’s cheques in US dollar or Pounds Sterling is advisable. It would be good to go through the financial news on latest currency exchange rates.

Praia group accommodation | Budget hotels & hostels