Visiting Fogo in Cape Verde

Most of the tourist developments in Cape Verde are on the islands of Sal and Boa Vista, and it would be easy to spend your whole holiday on these beautiful islands, but several of the other islands are well worth a look, and offer unique travel experiences. One such island is Fogo which is the fourth largest island in the archipelago; it is remarkable for having the only active volcano, and its name is the Portuguese word for fire.

Fogo has the highest peak in Cape Verde, and the volcano has seen several small eruptions since 1785 although the last eruption took place in 1995, with the last major eruption being in 1680. These smaller eruptions have all taken place within the crater, and have created smaller craters in the floor of the original crater which is 10 km long and 7 km wide.

Not surprisingly the soil around the crater is extremely fertile, and coffee is grown on the slopes, while grapevines are actually growing inside the crater and produce Fogo wine. The scenery on the island is quite dramatic and almost lunar as it consists of black sand and rocks.

The main town on the island is called Sao Filipe, and it's easy to see the Portuguese influence amongst the cobbled streets and pastel coloured houses, many of which are decorated with tiles and woods from Portugal. It's worthwhile taking a hike up the volcano, as there's even a restaurant at the top and the views are breathtaking. Fogo is also remarkable for being one of the few Cape Verdean islands to receive any significant amounts of rainfall, although it's still a very dry island.

China Provides $4.7 Million Interest-Free Loan to Cape Verde

China has agreed to provide an interest-free loan of $4.7 million to Cape Verde which will be used for projects which are considered a priority. These include infrastructure and economic and social facilities such as the National Stadium and the new maternity ward at the Agostinho Neto Hospital. The money will also be used to fund building work at the Santa Maria technical school on Sal Island as well as projects which will improve water and energy efficiency.

There is also likely to be additional funding available for social housing. This isn't the first time China has provided loans to the country which is still very much an emerging economy.

It's definitely a country which is well worth investing in, as it has a very stable democracy and until the recent economic downturn, enjoyed good economic growth of around 7% annually.

The economy is mainly service oriented and is focused upon the rapidly growing tourism sector.

The islands are perfect for tourists as they enjoy a warm climate year-round and are close enough to Europe to be enticing enough for a short winter break. The islands are extremely interesting as each has a diverse landscape while the people are warm and welcoming and celebrate their culture through music.

Although the islands have a lack of natural resources, and have to import much of their food, major efforts are being made to build renewable energy sources such as wind farms, which is essential as the country has one of the fastest-growing tourism industries in the world.

Sal and Boa Vista Top Choices Among Overseas Property Buyers

The islands of Sal and Boa Vista are proving to be particularly popular with overseas buyers, especially Sal, as it has the reputation of being a very cosmopolitan island which is home to around 15 different nationalities. It has the advantage of having the main airport nearby, and of course the gorgeous beaches and many bars and restaurants are a huge attraction.

Sal also has a great relaxed atmosphere, and the infrastructure here is constantly being upgraded to improve utilities and roads. While some people are buying property here as an investment to rent out, others are seeing it as an attractive place for a holiday home, as it certainly a great alternative to the Canaries or other more traditional European hotspots, and is a relatively short flight away. Not surprisingly, beachfront properties are proving to be the most popular.

Cape Verde is attracting more and more attention, as a recent report from TheMoveChannel.com showed it had entered the top 10 destinations of overseas enquiries, and is now more highly rated than Barbados, Cyprus and Malta.

Although this may come as a surprise to many people, those who have visited the archipelago will find it easy to see why, as it still represents excellent value, has reliable weather and its rapidly improving infrastructure can easily support substantial increases in tourism numbers.

During the first six months of the year Cape Verde received 219,000 tourists, which is an increase of 47,000 tourists and growth of 27.5% compared to the same period in 2010. Most of these tourists came from the UK, but the archipelago is also popular with visitors from France, Italy, Germany and Portugal.

European Buyers Snapping Up Property in Cape Verde

According to local property experts, increasing numbers of European buyers are purchasing homes in this tiny archipelago, especially in the resorts of Sal and Boa Vista. At the moment there is the opportunity to pick up a bargain as there is a choice of distressed sales available due to the global economic downturn.

However potential buyers are advised to pick their property carefully, with the most desirable homes being those which are nearest to the sea. Property investors are also advised to ask for a complete breakdown of all maintenance charges, especially if they are buying a property in a managed development.

Buying in a managed development is certainly a desirable option, as it does offer a relatively hassle free investment as all the trouble of renting out the property is taken care of.

The archipelago is growing in popularity due to its close proximity to Europe, and the good availability of flights. Its excellent year round climate and cheap property makes it a viable choice for a second home or investment, and it is often compared to the Canaries, even though it is somewhat more exotic.

Sal is one of the most developed resorts in Cape Verde, and has long stretches of white sand and is a watersport lover’s dream. Boa Vista also has some stunning beaches, and is renowned for its marine life. It is a little lower key than Sal, and if you travel here between December and February you may even be lucky enough to spot humpbacked whales.

Sal, the Most Developed Cape Verdean Island

In the Cape Verde property market, Sal is the most popular island in the Archipelago, unhindered by the fact that it is the most developed. The island is just 30 km long and 12 km wide, and the town of Santa Maria at the southernmost point is a well-established tourist resort.

It's easy for visitors to find a good restaurants and interesting shops, while it also has a lovely town square. The port town of Palmeria, and the town of Espargos are also worth a visit. The beaches here are unpolluted, and as yet there is no lack of space for your beach towel. More and more people are discovering this island, and there is an increasing need for rental property.

The islands have been subject to massive government investment to bring the infrastructure up to world-class standards. As Cape Verde has been granted EU special status it became eligible to receive £1.2 billion of public funding.

The tourist facilities being offered are becoming increasingly sophisticated as the islands are developed, and Cape Verde is ideal for buy to let investors wishing to get in early. Many are choosing to use a Self Invested Pension Plan to purchase property as this is the most tax efficient way to invest.

Anyone buying property in Cape Verde receives the full ownership and has the freedom to sell whenever they wish. The year-round good weather presents excellent rental opportunities, especially as its close proximity to Europe makes it ideal for winter getaways. Property here has been forecast to appreciate considerably during the next few years as the islands become more established and well known.