Guide to Gay Friendly Hotels in Cape Verde (2024 Updated)

Cape Verde is considered to be one of the most  friendliest destination for gay tourism in Africa along with other former colonies , tourist don’t feel the threat if they act normally and most of the hotels chains in the capital are gay friendly hotels Cape Verde.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) persons in Cape Verde are afforded greater protections than those in many other African countries. Both male and female same-sex sexual activity are legal in Cape Verde. Additionally, since 2008, employment discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation has been banned, making Cape Verde one of the few African countries to have such protections for LGBT people. Nevertheless, Cape Verde does not recognize same-sex unions or marriages, meaning that same-sex couples may still face legal challenges not experienced by non-LGBT residents. Households headed by same-sex couples are still not eligible for the same legal protections available to opposite-sex couples.

Cape Verde, along with other former Portuguese colonies, is one of the most LGBT-friendly African nations. The country’s first LGBT event was held in June 2013 in the city of Mindelo. Due to its close relationship to Portugal and Brazil, Cape Verde has occasionally been described as the most tolerant nation in Africa with regards to LGBT people, though there are still reports of societal discrimination.

Cape Verde or Cabo Verde, officially the Republic of Cabo Verde, is an island country in the central Atlantic Ocean. The ten volcanic islands in its archipelago have a combined land area of about 4,033 square kilometres. The islands lie about 600 to 850 kilometres west of Cap-Vert which gave its name to the islands.

Day Tours Cabo Verde

• Sal: All-Inclusive Half-Day Lounge Catamaran Cruise
• From Praia: Full-Day Maio Island Experience
• Sal: Sea Turtle Watching Experience at Night
• Santiago: Longueira, Pico de Antónia & Monte Tchota Trek

Set on Dunas Beach along the North Atlantic Ocean, this posh, Middle Eastern-style, all-inclusive resort is 2 km from the International Airport Aristides Pereira.

Featuring balconies or terraces, the warm rooms come with satellite TV and mini fridges. Upgraded rooms offer ocean views. Suites add living areas with sofa beds; some have whirlpool tubs.

Meals and drinks at a buffet restaurant and multiple bars are included. A la carte dining is offered (fee). Amenities consist of a disco, a spa and beach access, along with an outdoor pool offering a swim-up bar and a hot tub. There’s a gym, tennis courts, a play area and regular live entertainment.

The All Inclusive 24h Hotel Riu Karamboa opens all year round and is located on the Boa Vista island, with direct access to the marvellous Praia das Dunas beach of fine sand which extends for kilometres. The RIU Classic Hotels offer comfortable rooms and excellent facilities with great leisure and relaxation facilities, as well as international gastronomy. Enjoy a relaxing holiday – whether alone, with family, partner or friends!

The location is ideal because of its proximity to Rabil (2 km), Sal Rei (8km) and Aristides Pereira International Airport (BVC) (1.5 km) and invites you to explore the area. The hotel has 750 comfortably furnished rooms with free WiFi and offers many amenities. Relax in the spa or get in shape at the gym.

Just on final night & have absolutely loved our stay here. The resort itself is really clean & modern, the staff very friendly & helpful, and such a great range of dining options – you don’t need to leave the place to enjoy your visit!

It’s about an hour walk along the beach to Sal Rei, and only €10 for a taxi back. Unfortunately all of the shops here sell the exact same things, although ‘best price’ varies greatly from place to place. The main square is great to sit for a while, and do wander up to the indoor fish market by the port.

Also recommend speaking to local taxis regarding day trips on the island – we paid half the price of an ‘official’ tour operators cost by just booking a private taxi for the day, which also keeps money in the local economy.

Great place to stay, would definitely come back if I was looking for a restful break.

Oh, and the resort entertainment team do different shows every evening too – very funny (but their lip syncing would never qualify them for RPDR). Also, it was good to not be the only gay couple here, we spotted quite a few others which was assuring.

Beer,wine, pop, fruit juices, tea and coffee machines all over, just help yourself, all the bars do great drinks too.

Food was of a high standard in all the restaurants,at every meal time, plenty of choices for even the pickiest of eaters.

Wifi good in reception and main stage area, none anywhere else.

The beach is amazing! Goes on for miles, both ways. Clean, plenty of sunbeds, but get there early or you’ll not get a brolly! Sea was too choppy to swim in, so we just paddled carefully!

Because of the constant high winds, I’d recommend cream suntan lotion as opposed to spray, you’ll not get a drop of it on you! And take a higher factor than usual (because of the high winds) and plenty. It’s €28 in the shop if you run out!.

The spa and fitness centre is great! Fully equipped gym, 2 jacuzzis and a balcony to sit on and male and female saunas in the changing rooms. Nail bar, massages, hairdressers, all reasonably priced.

Room has safe and air conditioning, free of charge. Hairdryer in bathroom. Tea/coffee/creamer/sugar/bottled water/kettle are all provided as well as a fridge.

Food was excellent- enough choice for the fussy eaters – the pizzas were fabulous. Loads of choice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Tea/coffee readily available from restaurant and bars as well as soft drinks and alcoholic drinks.

Restaurant and bar staff were all excellent- always smiling and friendly
We ate at all 3 speciality restaurants. All were good but only the cape verdean was table service for the main course, the rest were buffet service.

The hotel restaurants are fantastic. 3 specialist Restaurants (Sea Food, Asian and African) which you have to pre book. The Santiago (Main Restaurant) provides a buffet style self service menu that caters for all tastes and dietary requirements. This is excellent as are the staff. The Las Dunas Restaurant which is poolside is also excellent and provides buffet meals throughout the day and then becomes the “African Specialist Restaurant” in the evening. Excellent food and very helpful and friendly staff.

The staff throughout the many bars and restaurants really enjoy their environment which enables guests to really enjoy the ambiance and culture of the Island. The in house entertainment is also varied and excellent. The Pools and Beach areas are scrupulously clean and inviting with more than plenty of sun beds available with shading from the very hot sun.

2. Iberostar Club Boa Vista 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Cabo Verde

This upscale, all-inclusive resort on Praia de Chave beach is 8 km from Santa Isabel.

Bright rooms with modern decor and private terraces feature flat-screen TVs and minibars. Upgraded rooms add sea views. Suites offer living areas and sofabeds.

There are 2 restaurants; 1 offers an American-style breakfast buffet and terrace seating. Other amenities include a beach and poolside bars, as well as a vibrant disco and a 24-hour lobby lounge. There’s also a private beach, a spa, a fitness room and 2 outdoor saltwater pools.

The Iberostar Club Boa Vista hotel combines all of the exoticism of Cape Verde and Africa with the services of a 5-star resort. Located on the seafront in Chaves, this is a hotel designed for couples and families with children. From the rooms and suites at the Club Boa Vista hotel you will enjoy a truly magical setting with the scent of the Atlantic Ocean. This hotel offers a wide range of facilities and services that will add lots of fun to your stay.

These include free Wi-Fi, a children’s pool, a marvellous beach with sun loungers, SPA Sensations, all inclusive, Monkey Club (ages 4 to 7), Dolphin Club (ages 8 to 12), two outdoor saltwater pools, covered pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room, Convention Centre, fitness centre, water sports, two restaurants and no less than six bars, including a nightclub. If you want to experience the exoticism of Cape Verde, the Club Boa Vista hotel is the place to do it.

This resort has everything you need – onsite ATM, private restaurants, pools which include an infinity pool, bars, private beach access, gym, spa, stores to buy anything you may need (food, toiletries, souvenirs, photos) and much more – the resort is huge!

The food served here is delicious, well presented and the restaurants are A*. Bookings for the restaurant needs to be booked in advance but the buffet at the main restaurant is just as good.

The Iberostar has all this, and seems especially pretty, perhaps because it stands in such contrast to the moonscape of much of the island. The staff were always helpful and friendly. Everywhere was clean and lovely. The food is very good, with variations to suit most palates and cultures (though I think vegans would struggle), and I always felt confident it was fresh and hygienically prepared. The kitchen staff work hard to provide something new each evening, often with a little sense of drama – whether a cascade of mussels, a table of tapas, or a fiery flambéd dessert. An aperitif was offered on arrival for dinner, and a digestif also often available as I left.

My room, while not luxurious, was very pleasant, and had a nice verandah (designed for sitting rather than sunbathing). It was thoroughly serviced each day, and left – unnecessarily but amusingly – with a decoration of petals and towels folded in improbable ways.

All the other amenities that I used were good. I skipped the evening entertainment in the theatre (positioned at a far corner of the resort) but there was a live band near the pool one evening which seemed very good. The gym was rather small, but adequate. The entertainment team were lovely, and enthusiastic without being intrusive if you weren’t interested. Their most valuable role, it seemed to me, was to bring a little Cape Verde culture into the resort.

. Room although basic was very comfortable, immaculately kept grounds, great food choice, numerous bars, beautiful pool area, spectacular beach, and staff that could not do enough for you and are a credit to the company. Not having been to Cape Verde before we had zero expectation apart from descriptions from Natalie at Off Broadway Travel (which we’re very accurate) and this holiday just surpassed anything we could have imagined.

Not many British at this hotel (which we appreciated), therefore the quality of service demanded by Germans, French and Czechs is very evident.

If you want sunshine, relaxation, comfort, good food and incredible service, I would fully recommend Iberostar Club Boa-Vista. Fantastic.

3. Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort 5* – Gay Friendly Hotels Cape Verde

Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort features 4 restaurants and bars, and a spa. Guests can enjoy an onsite casino, fitness centre and a kid’s club.

The resort is located on a white-sand beach in the colourful town of Santa Maria, near local fisherman’s pier and Pedra de Lume volcano.

This upscale resort on Santa Maria Beach on the Atlantic Ocean is 1 km from Santa Maria Pier, 6 km from the Viveiro Botanic Garden and 19 km from Amílcar Cabral International Airport.

Refined rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, mini fridges, and tea and coffeemakers, as well as balconies or terraces. Some have ocean views. Suites add separate living/dining rooms. Room service is available 24/7.

Brand new resort directly on the stunning sandy beach of Santa Maria. Guest rooms and suites with breathtaking views of the sea. Eforea spa with beauty salon, relaxation lounge, sauna and ice well. 4 restaurants and lounges, plus 24-hour room service.

This hotel has a very well maintained outdoors area including a huge swimming pool and beautiful gardens. The breakfast they serve is extremely well done, both in quality of food as well as presentation. Rooms and bathroom are clean and spacious. Friendly staff as well. Probably one of the best places to stay on the island.

The resort itself is perhaps one of the most developed on the island. I’ve read the reviews of some others and they too seem mixed – so I guess going back to my first comment, all really rests on what you come here for and your expectations. This is a developing island. If you come seeking plenty to do or see, then you’ll likely end up disappointed. The main roads to and from the key towns are well laid but aside from that, it’s pretty much a trek everywhere else. We took a day trip for €25 booked via viator – and we managed to see all there is in about 7-8 hours, including visits to the local port, blue eye, mirage, shark bay and the salt lakes.

It really is a beautiful experience and great value for money; but aside from this, our daily routines took us to Santa Maria (about 10 mins walk from Hilton), packed with lots of bars and restaurants – as well as markets and souvenirs stalls. There are little prices displayed on anything – as it’s all about haggling, and as others have said on here, don’t be intimidated by many guys standing alone trying to persuade you to visit the stall or marketplace of their friend/family. A polite yet firm ‘no’ gets them to back off but considering its all in the game of fighting for survival – then it’s understandable they’re so keen to squeeze even a euro or two out of you.

The staff were friendly, the rooms were clean, the buffet options at breakfast were enough. I loved how open the hotel was and the way they played with light. it was simple and beautiful. Having had the chance to view another hotel on the island I would say that I was extremely happy with my choice. When I do return I will be staying there again and do not see why you should stay anywhere else. Our room also had a lovely terrace that I used to reach in the mornings.

Very spacious room, nicely decorated with beautiful accessories, lamps, mirrors. Bathroom with shower very nice too. This was our 3rd stay in Sal, so as we are aware of economic context, we are less demanding in our expectations than usual. We know that almost everything is imported so always amazed to discover the wide choice of buffets.

The breakfast buffet was our favorite, especially omelettes on request. We liked tasting local cooked dishes (cachupa) or vegetables even during breakfast. There were plenty of different smoothies on request, pancakes, breads…The dinner buffet was less outstanding : not enough starters, even once, no starters at all when we arrived late. The price of 35€/person if not half-board, is too high according to us.

We loved the beach, walking either to Santa Maria or Ponta Preta: clear water, fine sand, bathing when not too windy with professional and nice lifeguards, so no time to try the pool which looked beautiful.
We liked the architecture and design of the hotel with its lovely exotic garden, full of beautiful plants and flowers.

Hilton Cabo Verde is a recent hotel with some inexperienced staff but always with a true will to meet your needs. We met nice and professional members of the staff : Edelisa, always smiling barmaid, Noel, always running manager…To be noted that most members at the reception staff speaks english, french, portuguese…

And thanks to them all, our stay in this hotel was great.