Key Takeaways from This Article:
- There are two major SIM card suppliers in Cape Verde – Alou & Unitel T+.
- You can purchase SIM cards from multiple locations on the popular islands, such as at the airport on Sal Island.
- There is good coverage across most of the islands, however if you venture into more rural locations you may find that the coverage drops.
- Data is not overly expensive compared to other African countries, but we recommend buying a lower amount of data first – you can always top this up if you need to at a local kiosk.
- Cafés and co-working spaces are great places to seek Wi-Fi instead of using lots of data.
What Do You Need to Buy a SIM Card?
To begin, you’ll need an iPhone or Android phone that is ‘unlocked’, which means that it is not tied to an exclusive SIM plan or carrier.
Most modern phones are compatible with the frequencies used in Cape Verde, which are:
- 900 MHz (2G)
- 2100 MHz (3G)
- 800 MHz (4G/LTE)
If you are unsure, check online, searching for your mobile phone model and the frequencies it supports.
Finally, you’ll also need the cash for the local SIM card. While we’ll go into more detail on the pricing later, it’s generally a good rule of thumb to always carry cash with you in Cape Verde, as many places do not accept card.
It is also worth noting that, depending on the area you are visiting, there may also be ATMs where you can withdraw cash. This means that you do not have to carry too much money on you at any one time.
Which Suppliers Operate in Cape Verde?
Within Cape Verde there are two primary SIM suppliers, these include:
Alou is the largest carrier in Cape Verde with the most complete coverage, as well as a variety of packages available. This would be our personal choice between the two; however, we welcome you to consider the information that follows and choose which carrier you prefer.
Where Can I Purchase a SIM Card?
Both Alou and Unitel T+ have dedicated stores located across the islands of Cape Verde. Alou tends to be more commonplace, as they also have stores across multiple islands, including Sal, one of the most popular tourist destinations.
You’ll most likely be taking a flight to Sal when travelling from Europe, which means you’ll be landing at Amílcar Cabral International Airport. Here, you’ll find stands for Alou and Unitel T+, making the whole process of buying a SIM card and getting mobile internet pretty easy! You can also find Alou and Unitel T+ stores at Praia International Airport.
In the case that your flight arrives outside the stores’ opening hours, there is also an Alou store in Santa Maria, which is likely close to where you will be staying. A short trip there will help you to resolve any issues. We’ve included the store’s opening hours below:
| Day | Opening Times |
|---|---|
|
Monday |
9AM–12PM | 2:30–5PM |
|
Tuesday |
9AM-12PM | 2:30-5PM |
|
Wednesday |
9AM-12PM | 2:30-5PM |
|
Thursday |
9AM-12PM | 2:30-5PM |
|
Friday |
9AM-12PM | 2:30-5PM |
|
Saturday |
Closed |
|
Sunday |
Closed |
#Note: Please be advised that the stands may close for a short period of time around midday. If you are arriving around this time and don’t see anyone at the stands, you can still purchase your SIM card from stores in Santa Maria.
Other Areas You Can Purchase Sim Cards and Credit:
Aside from the main stores for Unitel and Alou, you can often also buy SIM cards and credit (saldo) for internet and calls from markets, cybercafés, and petrol stations – to name a few. You’ll usually see a sign on the door of these shops that lets you know if these services are available.
What Type of SIM Cards Are on Offer?
Firstly, it’s important to note that there are no-prepaid SIM cards with data available yet. Instead, there are generally two purchases that are made when you buy your SIM card.
The initial purchase is buying the SIM card itself – for both Alou and Unitel T+ these are approximately 100 CVE (around €1).
Next, there are two steps:
The first step:
- For Alou, you have the options of either purchasing a credit voucher and speaking to a member of their staff at a stand/store who will redeem it directly for you, or topping up via the app (Android) (iPhone).
- For Unitel T+, you can either top up directly with a member of staff or do so via their app. (Android) (iPhone)
Please note that the possibility to top up via app can vary. We recommend visiting a store in person to purchase credit and receive a receipt.
The second step:
If you have bought a credit voucher and haven’t yet used it to top up, you can now do so. The method to do this varies slightly depending on the carrier (more information for each carrier below).
You can also buy a package deal directly from an Alou/Unitel T+ store or kiosk, which includes data and minutes. The staff there will assist you in activating your SIM, which helps you to skip this step of converting the credit into data yourself.
Purchasing an Alou SIM Card: What To Know
Once you have purchased your SIM, you can start buying credit with credit vouchers. Be advised that the credit you top up does have validity depending on how much you top up, as follows:
50 CVE – 499 CVE 30 days
500 CVE – 1199 CVE 45 days
2000 CVE – 4999 CVE 90 days
5000 CVE – 150 days
Once you have bought your credit voucher, you can use the voucher code by dialling *1882[ENTERCODE]#
For example, if the code was 111111, you would dial *1882111111#
Alternatively, you can dial 188 and follow the instructions to top up, or have a staff member at an Alou store assist you.
Alou has an app which you can use to see how much data you have and top up. (Android) (iPhone).
#Tip: To check your balance, dial *#123#, or call 1881.
Available Packages From Alou
NetMóvel
The first package type, Netmóvel, offers download speeds capped at 7 MB/s. Upload speeds are capped lower at 3 MB/s. You can recharge these packages at an Alou store or kiosk.
D'Kel Bom
The second tariff option available from Alou are the D’kel Bom packages. These packages provide a good mix of data as well as free minutes, perfect if you need pocket Wi-Fi while being able to make phone calls when necessary. You also have unlimited calls to other Alou numbers.
Purchasing a Unitel T+ SIM Card: What to Know
To top up your Unitel T+ SIM, head to a Unitel store and speak to a member of staff, or top up with your existing balance by texting the Unitel number.
Available Packages From Unitel T+
Unitel lists several options for prepaid internet packages on their website, which are as follows.
Packages Keywords:
Daily package 20 MB: keyword is d
Daily package 30 MB: keyword is d3
Weekly package 250 MB: keyword is s
Monthly package 1,000 MB: keyword is m1
Monthly package 2,000 MB: keyword is m2
Monthly package 5,000 MB: m5
As outlined in the table above, there are three categories of ‘activation.’ This means that the first time you purchase a package, you will receive the 1st activation data amount. If you then purchase that package again, you will receive the 2nd activation amount, until you reach the 3rd and final activation amount.
To activate your desired package, first load the required amount of credit onto your SIM at your local Unitel T+ store or kiosk. Next, type the keyword of the package you want via SMS text message to 707. This will then automatically withdraw your credit and activate the correct package.
Below, you will find a list of the appropriate codes and phone numbers to access certain services for Unitel T+:
If you would like to check how much credit you have, you can either use the Unitel T+ app, dial #707#, or send an SMS to 707 with the word “balance” (no quotation marks).
Combination Tariffs
Unitel also offers several packages which combine texts, minutes, and data. You can find details of these packages below.
As you can see in the table above, these packages range from weekly to monthly, with all plans including unlimited SMS. The packages also include unlimited use of select apps, including. WhatsApp, Messenger, Skype, and Viber.
How to Troubleshoot Issues With Your SIM
First, try to identify the problem – is your signal too weak? Are you unable to connect to a certain network or having trouble accessing data? Once you understand the issue, try resetting your device at least once by turning it off and on again.
If that doesn’t work, check whether any of the tabs or slides on your device have been moved inadvertently – for example, this could indicate that aeroplane mode has been enabled.
If in doubt, we recommend going to a local shop for your SIM carrier and ask for them to check the SIM.
The Internet Quality in Cape Verde
Generally, the internet coverage in Cape Verde is quite good, covering the majority of the islands. If you are travelling to Sal or Boa Vista, you should have no problem connecting to data services when using a Cape Verde SIM card.
Unfortunately, the download speeds are capped at a maximum of 14.4 MB/s, although this shouldn’t be a problem for general browsing and for social media. We recommend connecting to a Wi-Fi hotspot where you can, in order to conserve your data.
Public Wi-Fi Networks
Free WiFi connections, such as those found at cafés, are the Mecca for digital nomads looking to get their internet fix. In reality, however, whilst connecting to these services is technically free, as a token of respect it is recommended that you purchase food or drinks while you are there (you are filling a seat, after all).
With this said, having a SIM card as backup pocket wifi is a great ‘just-in-case’ option we still recommend.
Places you can find Wi-Fi networks include:
