Wandio

Arrive at Amílcar Cabral International Airport and ease into Cabo Verdean time by taking a short shared taxi or local transfer to Santa Maria; November arrivals will find warm, dry air and a steady trade wind that keeps the heat comfortable, so hydrate on arrival and change into beach clothes before you hit the town. Drop your bag at a budget guesthouse or hostel near the pier where fellow solo travelers gather, then step out onto Praia de Santa Maria to walk the wide sand, listen to the surf, and watch local fishermen mend nets — the beach is the social heart of Santa Maria and a natural place to meet other visitors while staying within a tight budget. For lunch wander toward the Mercado Municipal de Santa Maria where simple plates of catch-of-the-day and local snacks are affordable and richly flavored; chatting with stallholders and other diners is an easy way to practice a few words of Crioulo and swap route tips. In the afternoon head out toward Ponta Preta to watch the surfers and explore rock pools, keeping an eye on the tide and the wind — it’s a scenic spot for photos and low-cost relaxation rather than paid activities. As evening falls return to the hostel to trade stories with other travelers or join an impromptu beach bonfire near the pier; November evenings are mild and the trade winds make open-air socializing comfortable and safe for solo travelers, plus hostels often run cheap communal dinners or music nights that make meeting people effortless.

Start early and catch a shared taxi or affordable group transfer to Pedra de Lume Salt Crater where the shallow, hypersaline pools let you float with no effort — November’s dry weather keeps the crater paths accessible and the bright light makes for vivid photos, so arrive in the morning for calmer conditions and fewer visitors; there’s a modest entrance fee which supports maintenance, and floating is free and unforgettable, a quiet moment to reflect and reset your travel energy. After floating, continue in the same direction by local taxi to Buracona and the Olho Azul viewpoint where you’ll watch sunlight light up the cave mouth and the sea flash an intense blue; bring a windbreaker for the trade winds and plan for about an hour to stroll the coastal rocks and capture shots without needing any expensive gear. From Buracona head south to the working port of Palmeira to observe fishermen, local trading activity, and inexpensive street snacks from vendors — this is a pocket of authentic island life where you can practice simple Crioulo greetings and find a cheap, hearty meal in a small cantina. On the way back stop in Espargos to see where locals run errands and to pick up bus or taxi connections for onward travel; keep cash handy as many small merchants don’t take cards and November trips are easier when you carry small notes. In the late afternoon return to Santa Maria, spend the evening comparing notes with fellow backpackers or join a low-cost music night run by the hostel, a perfect solo-friendly way to make contact with other travelers while keeping your budget intact.

Take an early inter-island flight from Sal to Cesária Évora Airport in São Vicente (about 50–60 minutes in the air) and, after a short taxi into Mindelo, lose yourself in the central Praça Amílcar Cabral where colonial façades, street vendors, and casual cafés create the city’s relaxed social center; in November the air is pleasant for walking and the plaza is where musicians sometimes set up informal sessions, so sit with a cheap coffee and a pastry and let the local rhythm draw you into conversation with other solo travelers. From the square wander to the nearby Mercado Municipal de Mindelo where the stalls brim with fish, vegetables, and inexpensive prepared dishes — order a simple plate at a market stall or buy fresh fruit and join locals at the benches to practice a few words of Crioulo and learn which neighborhoods are safest to explore on foot; markets are a budget traveler’s best resource for cheap, authentic food. Midday follow the waterfront to Porto Grande to watch ferries and fishing boats slide past and to scout schedules if you plan to catch the morning ferry to Santo Antão the next day; the harbor walk is short, scenic, and free, perfect for solo reflection and photography. In the afternoon take a short taxi up toward viewpoints of Monte Cara, whose face-like silhouette is one of the island’s most recognizable images — the views are especially dramatic in late afternoon light, and November’s clarity often gives the best colors for photographs without the haze of other months. As evening falls, choose a low-cost music spot near the plaza where live morna or coladeira is often played; Mindelo’s music scene is famously welcoming, making it ideal for a solo traveler to enjoy communal songs and possibly join in a small jam without spending much money.

Board an early ferry from Mindelo’s Porto Grande to Porto Novo (about 40 minutes) and ride the short, scenic crossing into Santo Antão; ferries in November run regularly but check the morning schedule and buy a ticket in Porto Grande to avoid waits — the crossing is a social moment where you’ll meet hikers and locals, and arriving early gives you the most daylight to explore the island’s famed valleys. From Porto Novo take a shared aluger (local 4x4 taxi) up into the mountains toward Miradouro da Cova; the road climbs sharply and November’s dry conditions and clear air make the crater views especially dramatic, perfect for taking stock and planning a route on foot with a local guide if you prefer company and safety. Begin a guided or well-marked hike down into Ribeira da Torre where terraced farms, avocado and sugarcane plots, and hand-built irrigation channels reveal how locals coax food from the volcanic soil; hiking here is social and safe for solo travelers when you join a small local group or hire an affordable guide in Porto Novo, and budget-friendly cantinas along the way offer filling lunchtime plates that keep costs low. In the afternoon continue toward the unforgettable cliff village of Fontainhas, walking narrow switchbacks and pausing at viewpoints to photograph houses clinging to the bluff and the Atlantic beyond — Fontainhas is a classic Santo Antão sight and a deeply photogenic place to rest and chat with villagers. Finish the day descending to Ponta do Sol for a late snack and to catch a return aluger to Porto Novo in time for the ferry back to Mindelo; November evenings are cooler in the mountains, so bring a light jacket and plan your ferry time carefully as services taper after dark.

After a short domestic flight from São Vicente, arrive at Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia and take a budget taxi or shared shuttle to the Platô district where Praça Alexandre Albuquerque anchors the colonial heart of the capital; spend the morning wandering the square and surrounding streets to admire the pink and ochre government buildings and to sit in a small café soaking in the city’s rhythm, an ideal low-cost introduction to Santiago for a solo traveler who values ease and safety. From the square walk a short distance to Mercado de Sucupira, an energetic open-air market where vendors sell everything from clothing to fresh produce and where small food stalls offer inexpensive, filling local dishes — try a simple plate at a market stall and use the chance to learn a few Crioulo phrases and tips about getting around the island cheaply. Midday, head uphill through the grid of streets around the Platô to visit small municipal buildings and lookouts; the compactness of Praia’s center means most sites are walkable and you’ll save money by skipping taxis while remaining within safe, frequented areas that are ideal for solo exploration. In the late afternoon stroll to Praia de Quebra Canela to watch the sunset over the water and relax among local families; November’s mild evenings and steady trade winds make this an enjoyable, breezy time to reflect on the trip and to plan the next day’s historical excursion. In the evening choose a low-cost music night or a community cultural event in the Platô — Praia offers accessible live-music experiences that are welcoming to solo visitors and inexpensive compared with tourist-focused island nights.

Take a short shared taxi or public minibus from Praia to Cidade Velha in the morning (about 35–40 minutes) and begin your exploration at the Forte Real de São Filipe where the ramparts and cannons offer panoramic views over the bay and a quiet place to absorb the layered history of the islands; November’s clear skies make the vistas especially crisp, and arriving early helps you avoid stronger midday sun and small tour-group crowds. Walk from the fort down through the UNESCO-listed streets to the Pelourinho, pausing to listen to a local guide explain how Cidade Velha was a focal point in Atlantic trade routes and how local culture adapted and endured; guided visits are often budget-friendly and community-run, offering both context and a chance to support local livelihoods. Visit the Igreja de Nossa Senhora do Rosário and other small heritage sites nearby to see some of the oldest stone structures in Cabo Verde and to reflect on the living culture that grew from difficult histories; these compact sites are inexpensive to visit and richly educational, making them ideal for a curious solo traveler. Have a late lunch in a small cantina in Cidade Velha, where simple, affordable dishes are served with local hospitality, and use the afternoon to wander lower streets and seafront viewpoints, capturing photos and chatting with residents about island life in November. Return to Praia in time for a calm evening at Praia de Quebra Canela or the Platô to pack and enjoy a final low-cost night of music and conversation before onward travel — a gentle, reflective close to a six-day budget adventure across Cabo Verde.