Cape Verde · roaming cost calculator
Cape Verde Roaming Price Audit: $12 a Day Against a $217.26 Plan
HelloRoam is the top pick for Cape Verde on this site's rubric, though its 7-day unlimited plan there costs $172.97, at full speed for the first 2 GB a day, above the $84 a week on AT&T's $12-a-day pass, so for one week the day pass costs less, and Holafly ranks second on this site's rubric. HelloRoam's support replies in your own language over live chat, WhatsApp and email. Airalo covers 200+ destinations to HelloRoam's 185. HelloRoam's price is from its catalogue of 29 Oct 2026, rivals' from the 30 Oct 2026 price check; AT&T's rate was checked June 2026.
Two prices sit on this page. AT&T bills $12 a day for Cape Verde and a 20GB travel eSIM at $217.26 bills once, both in dollars. HelloRoam bills in 31 checkout currencies.
eSIM plan rates provider-by-provider, Cape Verde
HelloRoam checks out in 31+ currencies through Stripe, with Apple Pay and Google Pay on the website and in the app. In Cape Verde that buys fixed data from $15.80 for 1 GB over 7 days, and unlimited at $172.97 for 7 days of unlimited data, at full speed for the first 2 GB each day.
Get eSIMHolafly's unlimited plan in Cape Verde runs on a local 4G LTE network at a median $3.93/day. For a 10-day trip, that totals $39.30, less than the $120 ten days of AT&T roaming at $12/day cost.
Get eSIMNomad sells Cape Verde data at $2.30/GB. Budget travelers who don't need live support get solid 4G LTE coverage at a low per-GB rate.
Get eSIMAiralo runs support through in-app chat. For Cape Verde trips where setup goes smoothly — device compatible, QR code scanned before departure — most travelers never open a ticket.
Get eSIMSaily pairs a local 4G LTE network in Cape Verde with built-in VPN at $2.60/GB. A 5GB plan covers a week of browsing, messaging, and maps with encrypted traffic on every connection.
Get eSIMCompare providers: Airalo vs Holafly · Airalo vs Saily · Airalo vs Nomad · Airalo vs HelloRoam · Holafly vs Saily · Holafly vs Nomad · Holafly vs HelloRoam · Saily vs Nomad · Saily vs HelloRoam · Nomad vs HelloRoam
The full picture
The published cost of roaming in Cape Verde
Every major carrier's published Cape Verde rate, side by side, with the eSIM winner highlighted.
| Carrier | Plan type | Daily | 7-day | Speed | Data limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vodafone | Roaming Passport | £6.85source | £47.95 | LTE | Fair-use |
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $12.00source | $84.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $12.00source | $84.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| eSIM · HelloRoam | 20GB data plan | — | $217.26 | 4G LTE | 20GB |
Compare all carrier roaming plans to see how AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Vodafone, and EE stack up against eSIM providers.
Pay-per-use cost audit
AT&T pay-per-use costs in Cape Verde: a scenario breakdown
AT&T's international pay-per-use rate is $2.05/MB in Cape Verde. Mixed phone use — maps, messaging, and social media — runs about 60 MB/hour. One hour of that: $123. Four hours of normal use: $492. Eight hours, a full day out: $984. A 30-minute Zoom meeting alone adds $922. A 5-minute video call with family costs $154. These are AT&T's published pay-per-use figures. Source: AT&T international rate card, June 2026.
Personalize your savings
Your Cape Verde saving against $12 a day
Adjust the trip length, the carrier and the daily data below and the calculator reprices both sides. The starting point is the 10-day average stay recorded for Cape Verde: $120 on an AT&T day pass at $12 a day, against $217.26 for a 20GB travel eSIM. Both prices buy access to the same local operators.
Network coverage
Mobile network infrastructure in Cape Verde
CVMOVEL operates the sole mobile network in Cape Verde. US carriers pay CVMOVEL for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $12/day. Travel eSIMs use the same CVMOVEL agreement at $10.68/GB. A forensic read of your carrier roaming agreement shows CVMOVEL as the local partner in Cape Verde. The same name appears in every travel eSIM's network disclosure. Cape Verde runs 4G LTE on a local network. That is enough for maps, streaming, and video calls. Carrier roaming and eSIMs deliver that same speed. AT&T charges $12/day for it. An eSIM charges $10.68/GB.
Network attachment record
The networks behind both prices in Cape Verde
HelloRoam publishes one local operator for Cape Verde: CVMOVEL.
One operator means no fallback network.
Where CVMOVEL has no signal, an eSIM has nowhere else to attach.
HelloRoam records no 5G operator for Cape Verde.
Carrier roaming meets the same ceiling, because roaming rents local networks.
Price is what separates the two options in Cape Verde. This page prices both.
5G and 4G here are capability labels. Neither one is a speed reading.
HelloRoam's operator record names CVMOVEL for Cape Verde. The same file holds 185 destinations, 154 distinct operators and 98 destinations with at least one 5G entry. Nothing in it says which operator a handset picks, and neither does this page.
| Operator | Network generation on file |
|---|---|
| CVMOVEL | 4G |
Source: HelloRoam package feed, read 17 August 2026. The feed publishes an operator list for every destination it sells. No speed test sits behind this table, and we ran none. The full operator map covers 185 destinations.
Pricing breakdown
Cape Verde data costs side by side
Verizon TravelPass for Cape Verde: $12/day x 14 days = $168. AT&T International Day Pass: 10 daily fees × $12 (AT&T's cap per bill cycle) = $120. A 10GB eSIM on a local network covers the full 14 days for $106.80. That is $13.20 less than AT&T and $61.20 less than Verizon.
The eSIM daily rate works out to $7.63 when spread across 14 days. AT&T charges $12/day, which is 1.6x that figure. T-Mobile's high-speed pass is $10/day. All three connect to the same local towers in Cape Verde.
Per-GB rates for Cape Verde eSIM plans: 1GB at $15.80 ($15.80/GB), 3GB at $37.29 ($12.43/GB), 5GB at $58.50 ($11.70/GB), 10GB at $106.77 ($10.68/GB), 20GB at $217.26 ($10.86/GB). Larger plans cost less per gigabyte, so buying up one tier saves money if you are close to the limit. Unlimited daily plans remove the per-GB calculation entirely at $22.46/day for 14 days.
Cape Verde publishes five unlimited durations: 1 day at $28.08, 3 days at $80.03, 7 days at $172.97, 14 days at $314.50, 30 days at $572.83. Buying the 30-day block brings the daily price to $19.09. Unlimited here means 2GB a day at full speed before a fair-use policy applies. Catalogue prices read 29 Oct 2026.
Trip cost breakdown
Carrier roaming vs eSIM cost in Cape Verde by trip length
The 3-day traveler pays $36 on AT&T for maps and messaging in Cape Verde. A 3GB eSIM on a local network covers the same trip for $37.29 — $-1.29 less.
The 14-day family vacation reaches $120 in AT&T charges per person. Four lines on one account come to $300, because each extra line used the same day adds $6. Four 20GB eSIM plans on a local network cost $869.04 combined — $-569.04 less for the group.
A 30-day stay runs $120 on AT&T for video calls and streaming. A 50GB eSIM on a local network at $537.66 is -348% less for the same local towers. Rates checked June 2026.
Airport options
Cape Verde airport connectivity costs for arriving travelers
Airport SIM counters in Cape Verde sell prepaid data cards to arriving travelers. The transaction requires your passport and takes 15-30 minutes including queue time. A travel eSIM on a local network costs $15.80 for 1GB and installs before departure. You land with data already active.
Data planning
Cape Verde data allowance guide: 7-day stays
In Cape Verde, mobile data fills in where WiFi is unavailable. Expect to use 1.5 GB per day across maps, messaging, and social media. A 20GB plan at $217.26 covers 11GB for 7 days.
For a 7-day trip, the 20GB plan at $217.26 covers 11GB at $10.86/GB. AT&T's roaming pass for the same 7 days reaches $84. For heavy data users, a 1-day unlimited plan costs $28.08, not under AT&T's $12/day pass.
Connectivity
Cape Verde internet access: WiFi coverage vs eSIM availability
Hotel and cafe WiFi reduces your cellular data needs in Cape Verde, but does not eliminate them. Navigation, real-time transit, and ride-hailing apps all need data outside WiFi zones. AT&T covers those moments at $12/day. An eSIM on a local network covers the same gaps at $10.68/GB — you pay for only what you use.
Plan your data
Cape Verde data consumption: what to expect
Three travelers sharing a Cape Verde trip each pay $120 in AT&T roaming over 10 days — $360 total across the group. Each person buying their own 20GB eSIM on a local network pays $217.26. Group total: $651.78. Difference: $-291.78.
Cape Verde has one mobile operator: CVMOVEL. US carriers pay CVMOVEL for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $12/day. An eSIM connects to CVMOVEL directly at $10.68/GB — no carrier markup.
Local prices in Cape Verde are in CVE (Esc), but eSIM plans are priced in USD, eliminating exchange rate uncertainty on your data costs.
Quick reference
Cape Verde Travel Essentials
130/131/132
130, 131, 132 are the emergency numbers in Cape Verde. Different numbers may route to different services — save all of them before your trip. Emergency calls work from any mobile device, including travel eSIMs.
Type C/F
Cape Verde uses Type C outlets (European two round-prong). US plugs require a Type C adapter. Check that your phone and laptop chargers show 100-240V input — most modern chargers are compatible.
CVT (UTC-1)
CVE (Esc)
Cash in CVE is preferred across most of Cape Verde outside major hotels and tourist centers. Card terminals are not common in local markets or small restaurants. Withdraw enough cash at a reliable ATM before leaving the city — rural areas may not have ATM access.
Good to know
Power sockets in Cape Verde are Type C/F type. US and UK plugs don't fit without an adapter. A depleted phone ends your eSIM connectivity regardless of remaining data balance.
Good to know
Cape Verde's emergency number is 130/131/132, not 112. Both carrier roaming SIMs and eSIMs can dial emergency numbers without an active data plan.
Step by step
How to switch from carrier roaming to an eSIM in Cape Verde
- Open Settings > Cellular on your iPhone (or Connections > SIM on Samsung) to confirm eSIM support — CV Movel runs LTE across Cape Verde
- On iPhone or Pixel: open the HelloRoam app, search Cape Verde, and purchase the 1GB plan at $15.80 — your QR code appears in the app the moment payment clears. Compare all providers before deciding.
- On Samsung Galaxy: go to Settings > Connections > SIM manager > Add eSIM and scan the QR code before you leave home so it is ready to activate on arrival
- On Google Pixel: go to Settings > Network > SIMs, select your home carrier, and disable the Roaming toggle. See the complete data roaming guide for all device types.
- First landing in Cape Verde: if your eSIM does not connect on its own, toggle Airplane Mode on then off — this forces your phone to scan for CV Movel's LTE signal
- Returning traveler: if you communicate via iMessage or WhatsApp, WiFi Calling is optional — those apps run over the HelloRoam eSIM data at no added cost and cover most communication needs in Cape Verde
Data tips
How to stretch your data in Cape Verde
Tethering your laptop through your phone's hotspot uses more data than phone-only browsing. A laptop browsing news and email uses 200-500 MB/hour. Video conferencing over tethering runs 1-3 GB/hour depending on platform. Tethering also drains your phone battery 30-50% faster — pack a power bank for Cape Verde days that include hotspot use.
Regional context
Africa travel: Cape Verde mobile data guide
A few things to know before turning off carrier roaming in Cape Verde:
Coverage varies between islands
Nearby
Related destinations
6 destinations near Cape Verde are priced on the same rate card. AT&T bills $12 a day in every one of them, and the figure beside each flag is that destination's own per-gigabyte floor. The cheapest of the group is Algeria at $1.23 a gigabyte.
Forgot your eSIM?
What to do if you arrive in Cape Verde without data
Forgot to buy an eSIM before flying to Cape Verde? Three options, ranked by total cost.
Option 1 — Airport WiFi install ($15.80 total): The arrivals area has free WiFi. All 5 providers (HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, and Saily) support post-arrival purchase over WiFi. Buy a 1GB plan for $15.80. No extra charge beyond the plan.
Option 2 — Hotel lobby WiFi install ($15.80 total): If airport WiFi failed, hotel lobby WiFi works just as well. Check in, get the password, complete the eSIM install. Same $15.80 cost.
Option 3 — Emergency carrier download ($10 + $15.80 total): Use ~5 MB of AT&T pay-per-use data to download the provider app ($10). Install the eSIM over the app, then disable carrier data. Total cost: $25.80.
Savings math
How much you save in Cape Verde
Solo traveler
The $0 a solo traveler saves by choosing an eSIM over AT&T roaming in Cape Verde covers 0 restaurant meals, 0 museum tickets, or 0 taxi rides in most destinations. That money came from the same local network connection AT&T charges $120 for.
Family trip
Families with children face double roaming costs — two parents on full plans plus two kids whose phones sync games and app updates in the background. In Cape Verde, AT&T bills $12 a day for the first line and $6 for each extra line used the same day, at most 10 daily fees per line each bill cycle. Four lines for 10 days: $300. A single 20GB eSIM at $217.26 shared via hotspot covers all four devices. Total family cost drops from $300 to $217.26.
AT&T roaming rate analysis
AT&T International Day Pass does not add extra data for Cape Verde roaming. It uses your existing domestic plan data allowance. A customer with a 5 GB domestic plan who has used 3 GB at home has only 2 GB left for their Cape Verde trip. After 2 GB, AT&T throttles to slower speeds while the $12/day charge continues. A 20GB eSIM at $217.26 provides a separate data bucket that does not affect or draw from your home plan. This is the key structural advantage over Day Pass: independent data.
All-carrier summary
AT&T: AT&T International Day Pass costs -45% more than an eSIM for Cape Verde.
Verizon: Verizon TravelPass costs less than this eSIM plan for Cape Verde.
T-Mobile: T-Mobile's International Passes cost less than this eSIM plan for Cape Verde.
Vodafone: Vodafone bills Cape Verde in pounds and this site holds no pound-to-dollar rate, so it states no Vodafone-versus-eSIM gap.
An eSIM saves money in Cape Verde for every trip longer than one day. The single exception: a same-day layover where you need your US number active for voice calls. AT&T's $12 for that one day may be worth the convenience. For any trip of 2+ days, the 20GB eSIM at $217.26 saves $0 over 10 days on a local 4G LTE network.
Quick answers
Common questions about Cape Verde data costs
Is eSIM cheaper than roaming in Cape Verde?
A travel eSIM saves $0 on a 10-day Cape Verde trip compared to AT&T roaming. The eSIM connects to a local 4G LTE network for $217.26. AT&T charges $12 per 24 hours of use for the same towers. The savings are 0% with no difference in coverage or signal quality. Rates checked June 2026.
How much does roaming cost in Cape Verde?
AT&T charges $12/day in Cape Verde. A 7-day trip costs $84. A 14-day trip costs $120. A 10-day trip costs $120. An eSIM alternative on a local network starts at $217.26 for the same network. Rates checked June 2026.
Does T-Mobile work in Cape Verde?
Yes, T-Mobile connects to a local network in Cape Verde. T-Mobile's Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. The 1 Day International Pass costs $10. A travel eSIM at $217.26 for 20GB provides full 4G LTE speed on the same local towers. Rates checked June 2026.
AT&T fine print for Cape Verde
$12 covers 24 hours from the first time your phone uses a foreign network, and a single background push notification at 2 AM can start it. AT&T bills at most 10 daily fees per line each bill cycle (terms read 31 Oct 2026).
iCloud Photos, email push, app updates all trigger the daily charge. A phone left in a bag with data roaming on starts a new $12 fee each time a sync lands after the last 24 hours ran out.
Cape Verde FAQ
Cape Verde eSIM & roaming questions
Cape Verde carrier roaming costs $12 a day on AT&T and on Verizon
Three US carriers cover Cape Verde: AT&T at $12/day, Verizon at $12/day, and T-Mobile at $10 for a 1 Day pass, with 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans. All three rent capacity from CV Movel. So do the five travel eSIM providers priced here: HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, and Saily, from $15.80 for 1GB. One thing the day pass does that a data-only eSIM does not: it keeps your own number live for calls and texts without WiFi. If you need that and use almost no data, $12/day is a fair trade. If you use data at all, it is not. Rates checked June 2026.
T-Mobile's included data in Cape Verde runs at high speed until the allowance ends
For light use, yes. T-Mobile's Experience More plan includes 5GB of high-speed data abroad and Experience Beyond 15GB, then data runs at up to 256Kbps. Essentials includes texting but no data. Even at 256Kbps you stay reachable on WhatsApp and iMessage text in Cape Verde, which is more than AT&T gives you without a pass. Fixed-data eSIM plans across HelloRoam, Holafly, Nomad, Airalo, and Saily run full 4G LTE on a local network from $10.68/GB, with no daily activation trigger. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
Cape Verde roaming bills by the day, not by the gigabyte
AT&T's per-day fee in Cape Verde covers 24 hours from first use. A background email sync an hour after that window closes starts a second fee, so 25 hours on the network costs $24. AT&T stops at 10 fees per line each bill cycle. Verizon runs the same 24-hour sessions with no stated cap. A travel eSIM at 1GB for $15.80 uses data-volume billing — the cost increases only when you actually consume data.
An hour of streaming in Cape Verde uses more data than a day of maps
An hour of Netflix in HD uses about 3 GB by Netflix's own figures, so it costs about $32.04 at $10.68/GB on CV Movel. Standard definition uses about 700 MB, or $7.48. YouTube at 720p uses about 900 MB an hour. Streaming is the one habit that breaks a fixed-data plan. HelloRoam's 7-day unlimited plan has the lowest median of the five at $21.50 across 35 countries, against $27.50 on Holafly, but HelloRoam's plan runs at full speed for 2 GB a day in 33 of those 35 countries, under one HD hour. Holafly states no daily cap, which is where it earns its price for a heavy streamer. AT&T covers streaming under the $12/day pass but charges it whether you watch or not. Download over hotel WiFi and the question disappears. Carrier rates checked June 2026; eSIM prices from the 30 Oct 2026 price check.
TikTok and Instagram are the heaviest apps on a Cape Verde plan
TikTok at standard quality uses 700 MB/hour of viewing. Instagram Stories and Reels use 500-800 MB/hour depending on video resolution. At $10.68/GB on CV Movel in Cape Verde, one hour of TikTok costs roughly $7.48 and one hour of Instagram Reels costs roughly $6.94. AT&T International Day Pass at $12/day covers all social media but applies the full daily fee regardless of how little you use. For travelers who browse social apps 30-60 minutes per day, the eSIM still costs less than one AT&T day fee. Rates checked June 2026.
US carriers reach Cape Verde through its local operators
AT&T covers Cape Verde at $12/day. Verizon covers most African countries at $12/day. T-Mobile includes 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans, then up to 256Kbps in Cape Verde. A travel eSIM on CV Movel provides full 4G LTE speeds at $10.68/GB — the same carrier infrastructure as roaming, at a fraction of the cost.
Cape Verde mobile data carries the same load for an eSIM and for roaming
Cape Verde has 1 carrier providing 4G LTE coverage. Urban and tourist areas have solid coverage; rural regions may have gaps. A travel eSIM connects to the same local networks carrier roaming uses, at $10.68/GB. Coverage quality is whatever the local network delivers, and it is the same either way.
A 10-day Cape Verde trip costs $120 in carrier roaming
AT&T International Day Pass for 10 days at $12/day: $120. Verizon TravelPass at $12/day: $120. T-Mobile's International Pass at $10/day: $50. A travel eSIM on CV Movel at $10.68/GB for 10 days at 1.5 GB/day average costs roughly $160.20. The eSIM saves over 80% versus any carrier's paid roaming option. Rates checked June 2026.
Rural Cape Verde coverage is an operator limit, not a roaming limit
Both carrier roaming and travel eSIMs connect through local networks in Cape Verde, and CV Movel is one of them. Coverage outside major cities depends on how widely those networks have deployed, and the same gaps hit an eSIM and AT&T or Verizon roaming alike. Urban centers and tourist corridors have consistent signal; rural and off-road areas may have limited or no service. There is no coverage advantage to choosing carrier roaming over an eSIM.
A week of Cape Verde carrier roaming costs $84
AT&T: $84/week (International Day Pass at $12/day). Verizon: $84/week (TravelPass). T-Mobile: 5GB or 15GB of high-speed data included on its Experience plans, then up to 256Kbps, or $50 for a week of passes (10-day pass). The cheapest eSIM for Cape Verde starts at $10.68/GB on a local 4G LTE network — better per-GB value than all three carriers.
Fact check
What carriers say vs. what your bill shows in Cape Verde
International calling cards cover data
Traditional international calling cards provide prepaid voice minutes for international calls — they do not include mobile data. Using a calling card in Cape Verde leaves you without data for maps, messaging apps, or anything internet-based. A 1GB eSIM on a local network at $15.80 provides data-only coverage. Pair it with a calling card if you also need voice minutes to landlines. Rates checked June 2026.
Airport SIMs are the cheapest option
Airport SIM counters in Cape Verde apply a tourist markup over in-city prepaid prices. Expect to queue 15–30 minutes and hand over your passport for registration. A 1GB eSIM on a local network costs $15.80 and installs from your phone before you board. Rates checked June 2026.
WiFi is always available abroad, so you do not need a data plan
Hotel WiFi in Cape Verde covers your room. It does not cover the taxi line, the train platform, or the restaurant street. Navigation, ride-hailing, and payment QR codes all need a live cellular connection outside the hotel. A 1GB eSIM on a local network covers those gaps for $15.80. AT&T charges $12/day for the same access.
Our recommendation
Cape Verde cost analysis: bottom line
HelloRoam for Cape Verde: HelloRoam covers Cape Verde on a local network and scores 9.9/10 on our rubric, the highest of the 5 providers we price. A 1GB plan costs $15.80. Unactivated plans are refundable for 180 days, and its support replies in your own language. One trade-off: Holafly is the alternative for heavy data users: it states no daily cap, at a 7-day unlimited median of $27.50 on 30 Oct 2026.
Learn more
Travel guides, Cape Verde
4 guides carry the parts of a Cape Verde trip this page does not price: installing the profile before departure, switching data roaming off on the home SIM, and what happens to the allowance once a fair-use policy applies. Each one reads the same rate card as this page, where AT&T bills $12 a day.
Compare Cape Verde eSIM plans vs carrier roaming rates
Carrier day passes add up: 7 days x $12/day = $84. A 20GB eSIM plan covers the same trip for $217.26.
Get a Cape Verde eSIM