City Mindelo in Cape Verde – The Port City
A port city on the Cape Verde in the northern part of Sao Vicente, City Mindelo is the seat of parish of Nossa Senhora da Luz as well as the municipality of the island. Main city in Cape Verde, it houses around 96% of the city population.
Accommodations
Both pricey and
budget hotels are available in the city of Mindelo. Besides there are resorts, beach resorts, guest house, and other accommodations but one may not find the youth hostels though a few
hostels are there. A few bed and breakfast joints are there in the city periphery.
Brief History
Mindelo in the past was the coal station for British steam navigation and has become a cosmopolitan city today. Initially the Randall coal company was established on the shipping routes to South America, Australia, Africa, India, South Africa, and Europe. With the reduction of coal prices in 1875 by Cory Brothers, number of ships increased to 669 per year by 1879. Ports coming up at Dakar, Senegal, and Canary Islands declined the number of ships initially but the shipping revived to serve around 2,000 ships by twentieth century. Coal was shelved and substituted by diesel in 1952. It was also the location of first Trans-Atlantic Telegraph Cable.
Getting Around
Well laid out streets allow the small place to walk around. Travel
guide books for hassle free movement around the city suggests walking around, using car rental or cheap taxi services. Taxis for movements are available but most visitors prefer walking around the old architectural buildings. Car rentals can be found and they are not expensive either. Travellers can get the information by logging on to the Cape Verde tourism website or city municipal website.
Popular Places and Monuments
Some excellent examples of English architecture are available in the city among the monuments of colonial times besides a beautiful avenue running along the length of the shore. Exotic night life is characterized by swaying rhythms of local music in lively bars as well as in discotheques.
Distinctive buildings that could be visited by walking around the capital, February carnival celebrations, Baia das Gatas Festival are worth experiencing. Sao Pedro beach is the best location for wind surfing in the island. Horse riding is available at Foya Branca hotel as well as in Sao Pedro. Monte, Verde, the high point of the island can be reached by foot moving on the cobbled road leading to it.
Currency
Unit of currency in Cape Verde used in City Mindelo is the Escudo or CVE. It is a local currency and travellers cannot purchase any before reaching the city. Current exchange rate of CVE that is tied to Euro is 110.27 CVE for one Euro but it would be good viewing the exchange
news on Internet to know the exact rate. 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.
Mindelo group accommodation |
Budget hotels & hostels
