Many Cape Verdean writers and thinkers were educated at the Sao Vicente lycée and Mindelo is proud of its intellectual and artistic tradition. It has a liveliness - visit for the music, for the occasional performance, for hanging around in the bars. Cape Verde's two most exuberant festivals are here: the exotic carnival, a miniature Rio, in mid-February, and the beach music festival of Baia das Gatas in August.
Also go for watersports, sailing, in particular windsurfing and surfing. But do not go for an aesthetic experience of hiking. There are two reasonable beaches and a few depressing ones.
© by Bradt Travel Guide [5]