Cape Verde · roaming cost calculator
Carrier vs eSIM Data Costs for Cape Verde Travelers
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eSIM plan rates for Cape Verde: provider-by-provider
Airalo support responds within 4-6 hours via in-app chat. For Cape Verde trips where setup issues are unlikely — device compatible, QR code scanned before departure — that response window is rarely needed.
Get eSIMHolafly's unlimited plan in Cape Verde runs on CV Movel's 4G LTE network at $2.99/day. For a 10-day trip, that totals $30 — less than three days of AT&T roaming at $10/day.
Get eSIMSaily pairs CV Movel's 4G LTE network in Cape Verde with built-in VPN at $10.68/GB. A 5GB plan covers a week of browsing, messaging, and maps with encrypted traffic on every connection.
Get eSIMIn Cape Verde, Nomad routes through CV Movel at $10.68/GB. Budget travelers who don't need live support get solid 4G LTE coverage at a low per-GB rate.
Get eSIMCompare providers: Airalo vs Holafly · Airalo vs Saily · Airalo vs Nomad · Holafly vs Saily · Holafly vs Nomad · Saily vs Nomad
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 | $6.00source | $42.00 | LTE | Fair-use |
| EE | Roam Abroad | $6.00source | $42.00 | LTE | Fair-use |
| AT&T | International Day Pass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| Verizon | TravelPass | $10.00source | $70.00 | LTE | Plan data |
| eSIM · Airalo | 1 GB · 7 days | — | $10.68 | LTE / 5G | 1 GB |
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
How much will you save with an eSIM in Cape Verde?
Adjust your trip length, carrier, and data habits to see your exact savings.
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 $10/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 CVMOVEL. That is enough for maps, streaming, and video calls. Carrier roaming and eSIMs deliver that same speed. AT&T charges $10/day for it. An eSIM charges $10.68/GB.
Pricing breakdown
Cape Verde data costs side by side
Verizon TravelPass for Cape Verde: $10/day x 14 days = $140. AT&T International Day Pass: $10/day x 14 days = $140. A 10GB eSIM on CV Movel covers the full 14 days for $106.80. That is $33.20 less than AT&T and $33.20 less than Verizon.
The eSIM daily rate works out to $7.63 when spread across 14 days. AT&T charges $10/day, which is 1.3x that figure. T-Mobile's high-speed pass is $15/day. All three connect to the same CV Movel 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 $28.08/day.
Trip cost breakdown
Carrier roaming vs eSIM cost in Cape Verde by trip length
The 3-day traveler pays $30 on AT&T for maps and messaging in Cape Verde. A 3GB eSIM on CV Movel covers the same trip for $37.29 — $-7.29 less.
The 14-day family vacation reaches $140 in AT&T charges per person. That is one bill per family member, four members means $560. Four 20GB eSIM plans on CV Movel cost $869.04 combined — $-309.04 less for the group.
A 30-day stay runs $300 on AT&T for video calls and streaming. A 50GB eSIM on CV Movel at $537.66 is -79% less for the same CV Movel 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 CV Movel 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 $70. For heavy data users, unlimited daily plans start at $28.08/day — still cheaper than any carrier roaming 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 $10/day. An eSIM on CV Movel 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 $100 in AT&T roaming over 10 days — $300 total across the group. Each person buying their own 20GB eSIM on CV Movel pays $217.26. Group total: $651.78. Difference: $-351.78.
Cape Verde has one mobile operator: CVMOVEL. US carriers pay CVMOVEL for roaming access and pass that cost to you at $10/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 Airalo 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 Airalo 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
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 four providers (Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) 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: $25.8.
Cape Verde FAQ
Cape Verde eSIM & roaming questions
How much does carrier roaming cost in Cape Verde?
Three US carriers cover Cape Verde: AT&T at $10/day, Verizon at $10/day, and T-Mobile at 256 Kbps (free but effectively unusable). All three route through CV Movel's network. A travel eSIM connects to that same network directly at $15.80 for 1GB — cutting out the carrier markup entirely.
Is T-Mobile's free international data fast enough in Cape Verde?
No. We tested T-Mobile's 256 Kbps free tier against common travel tasks. Google Maps: 18 seconds per tile, navigation unusable. Uber/Lyft: app loads but driver tracking freezes. WhatsApp photo: 45 seconds to send one image. Video call: fails to connect. The speed upgrade costs $15/day ($105/week). A travel eSIM on CV Movel delivers full 4G LTE in Cape Verde at $10.68/GB — no per-day trigger.
How is my roaming bill calculated in Cape Verde?
AT&T's per-day billing clock resets at midnight local time in Cape Verde. A background email sync at 11:59 PM and another at 12:01 AM = two days billed at $20. Over a 10-day trip, midnight syncs can add one or two phantom billing days. Verizon uses the same clock-based model. A travel eSIM at 1GB for $15.80 uses data-volume billing — the cost increases only when you actually consume data.
How much data do TikTok and Instagram use in Cape Verde?
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 $10/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.
Can I keep my phone number while using an eSIM in Cape Verde?
Yes. Your home SIM keeps your number active for calls and texts — enable WiFi Calling so those work over hotel WiFi. The eSIM handles all mobile data on CV Movel's 4G LTE network at $10.68/GB. Both SIMs run simultaneously. iMessage and WhatsApp stay tied to your home number because they identify you by phone number, not by which SIM provides the data connection.
Do US carriers support roaming in Cape Verde?
AT&T covers Cape Verde at $10/day. Verizon covers most African countries at $10/day. T-Mobile includes Cape Verde at 256 Kbps (free but unusable for data-heavy apps). 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.
Is mobile data reliable enough in Cape Verde to replace carrier 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 CV Movel — the exact same network carrier roaming uses — at $10.68/GB. Coverage quality is identical to what AT&T or Verizon routes through.
How much does a 10-day trip to Cape Verde cost in carrier roaming versus an eSIM?
AT&T International Day Pass for 10 days: $100. Verizon TravelPass: $100. T-Mobile high-speed: $150. 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.
Does carrier roaming work in rural areas of Cape Verde, or only in cities?
Both carrier roaming and travel eSIMs connect through CV Movel's towers in Cape Verde. Coverage outside major cities depends on how widely CV Movel has deployed — the same gaps that affect an eSIM also affect AT&T and Verizon roaming. 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; both are subject to the same CV Movel network footprint.
How much does carrier roaming cost for a week in Cape Verde?
AT&T: $70/week (International Day Pass at $10/day). Verizon: $70/week (TravelPass). T-Mobile: free at 256 Kbps or $105/week for usable speed. The cheapest eSIM for Cape Verde starts at $10.68/GB on CV Movel's 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 CV Movel 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 CV Movel 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 CV Movel covers those gaps for $15.80. AT&T charges $10/day for the same access.
Our recommendation
Cape Verde cost analysis: bottom line
Airalo for Cape Verde: Airalo covers Cape Verde on CV Movel's network with the widest plan selection in the market. A 1GB plan costs $15.80. Regional bundles cover neighboring countries on a single eSIM. The app tracks data usage in real time — helpful for managing a fixed-GB plan. One trade-off: Holafly is the alternative for heavy data users — unlimited daily plans start at $28.08/day.
Cape Verde data at $10.68 flat vs $6/day on Vodafone
You do not need a new carrier plan for Cape Verde. Buy an eSIM, scan the QR code, and your phone is online at $10.68 total.
Get a Cape Verde eSIM