Carrier networks and LTE coverage in Cape Verde
Cape Verde has 1 mobile network: CVMOVEL (4G). All 5 providers we rank route through these carriers. Our editorial pick routes through CV Movel, which is the sole 4G LTE carrier operating in Cape Verde. Airalo's catalogue starts at $10.68/GB with 4G LTE access. Runners-up HelloRoam and Holafly connect via CV Movel, scoring 4.9/5 and 4.3/5 on coverage.
Provider routing covers 1 mobile network in Cape Verde: CV Movel and UNITEL T+. CV Movel connects through the strongest combination of urban coverage and rural reach among those options. CV Movel sits at the top of the published carrier list for travel eSIM traffic in Cape Verde.
A travel eSIM in Cape Verde attaches to CV Movel on 4G LTE. All 5 ranked providers ride that same host network rather than one of their own, so the network under a HelloRoam plan and the network under an Airalo plan is the same equipment. CV Movel is the only operator on the published list for Cape Verde, which removes any fallback if it drops. This site publishes no throughput figure, because it runs no speed test.
Setting up your Cape Verde eSIM: no ID rule to clear
Purchase your Cape Verde eSIM from the provider app or website. Scan the QR code over WiFi at home. The eSIM installs in under 2 minutes. Label the new line "Cape Verde Data" to keep it separate from your home SIM.
When you land in Cape Verde, enable data roaming on the eSIM line. Your phone connects to CV Movel's 4G LTE network within 30 seconds. No ID verification is needed for travel eSIMs in Cape Verde.
Get your Cape Verde eSIM ready before departure, since airport connectivity can be unreliable. Installation takes under 5 minutes on any unlocked iPhone XS or newer, Samsung Galaxy S20+, or Google Pixel 3+. We recommend completing setup at least 24 hours before your 7-day trip. Cape Verde has 1 carrier network, and plans start at $15.80 for 1GB.
Your eSIM connects to CV Movel's 4G LTE network in Cape Verde. The country operates 1 network: CV Movel and UNITEL T+. CV Movel provides the strongest combination of urban reach and tourist-corridor coverage based on network data.
Open your provider's app, scan the QR code, and select Cape Verde as your data plan destination. Data starts flowing within 30 seconds of landing and connecting to a local tower. The catalogue lists 6 plans for Cape Verde, starting at $10.68/GB on CV Movel's infrastructure.
No ID verification or passport scan is needed for tourist eSIMs in Cape Verde. Activation completes without paperwork.
For a full walkthrough with screenshots, see our eSIM buying guide.
Cape Verde data plans: dear per gigabyte, so size the plan tight
The published price ladder for Cape Verde: 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). Best value sits at 10GB for $106.77, at $10.68 per gigabyte. Budget entry starts at $15.80 for 1GB. Premium unlimited daily data costs $28.08/day with 2GB at full speed before throttling. Longer commitments reduce the daily rate: the 14-day plan drops to $24.99/day (11% off). Among the 5 providers we ranked, HelloRoam scores highest on pricing (4.8/5). Holafly follows at 4.7/5. Ladder rates run from $10.68 to about $15.80 depending on plan size.
Before purchasing an eSIM for Cape Verde, our editors flagged these details.
Coverage varies between islands.
Cape Verde sits in the Africa region with 1 mobile network accepting eSIM roaming connections. CV Movel is the primary carrier for travel eSIMs in this market, operating on 4G LTE.
eSIM coverage in Africa is improving rapidly. Cape Verde connects through CV Movel, which provides the most reliable data service for travelers in the Africa region.
Coverage varies between islands.
Light travelers (maps, messaging, email) use 500MB-1GB per day. Moderate users (social media, photo uploads, ride-hailing) need 1-2GB daily. Heavy users (video calls, streaming, remote work) consume 2-4GB per day.
For a 7-day trip to Cape Verde: light users need roughly 6GB, moderate users need 11GB. The 10GB plan at $106.77 on CV Movel covers the moderate scenario.
Cape Verde eSIM pricing on CV Movel: 1GB: $15.80 ($15.80/GB), 3GB: $37.29 ($12.43/GB), 5GB: $58.50 ($11.70/GB), 10GB: $106.77 ($10.68/GB), 20GB: $217.26 ($10.86/GB). Larger plans reduce the per-GB cost. All prices are one-time with no auto-renewal.
Unlimited option: $28.08/day with no data cap (2GB at full speed). Multi-day discounts available: the 14-day plan costs $24.99/day.
Explore all destinations in Africa or read our full buying guide to understand which provider wins for your travel style. See also: the rubric each provider is scored against.
Cape Verde verdict: per-gigabyte for short trips, unlimited for long ones
For budget travelers the pricing dimension is the one to read: HelloRoam publishes an entry rate of $3.50/GB and scores 4.8/5 there, ahead of Holafly at 4.7/5. Plans in Cape Verde attach to CVMOVEL on 4G, with CV Movel and UNITEL T+ also on the published carrier list. Airalo's Cape Verde catalogue sits above that: the ladder steps from $15.80 for 1GB to $217.26 for 20GB, and the 10GB rung is its cheapest gigabyte at $10.68. Holafly sells unlimited at $2.99/day, so a trip past 73 days costs more on the day rate than the 20GB rung costs outright at $217.26. Two ground details for Cape Verde: emergency calls go to 130/131/132, and wall outlets take Type C/F plugs.
HelloRoam earns the Cape Verde pick at 9.5/10, with the top mark on network tier, pricing and support. Its published entry rate is $3.50/GB, which no rung on this ladder beats, the closest being 10GB at $10.68/GB.
Airalo follows at 9.3/10, 0.2 points back, and the ladder this page quotes is Airalo's own Cape Verde catalogue, which bottoms out at $10.68/GB.
eSIM provider comparison for Cape Verde (June 2026)| Provider | Score | $/GB | Best For | Action |
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| HelloRoam | 9.5/10 | from $3.50/GB | Editors Choice | Get deal → |
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| Airalo | 9.3/10 | $4.50/GB | Widest Coverage | Get deal → |
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| Holafly | 8.9/10 | $2.99/day | Best Unlimited | Get deal → |
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| Saily | 8.4/10 | $3.99/GB | Best Privacy | Get deal → |
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| Nomad | 8/10 | $3.00/GB | Best Budget | Get deal → |
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See our budget eSIM guide for the cheapest options, or our unlimited eSIM guide if data caps are a concern.
Provider assessments for Cape Verde
HelloRoam
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on an entry rate of $3.50/GB, and the best rung on the Cape Verde ladder is 10GB at $10.68/GB, above that. Every provider here rides the same host networks in Cape Verde: CVMOVEL on 4G, plus CV Movel and UNITEL T+.
Airalo
Airalo scores 9.3/10 on an entry rate of $4.50/GB, and the ladder on this page is its own Cape Verde catalogue: $15.80 for 1GB up to $217.26 for 20GB, bottoming out at $10.68/GB.
Holafly
Holafly scores 8.9/10 and sells unlimited only, at $2.99/day, so the comparison is a break-even: under 73 days that costs less than the 20GB rung's $217.26, and past it costs more.
Saily
Saily scores 8.4/10 on an entry rate of $3.99/GB, and no rung on the Cape Verde ladder costs less per gigabyte than that.
Nomad
Nomad scores 8.0/10 on an entry rate of $3.00/GB, and Airalo's catalogue floor for Cape Verde is $10.68/GB, over that.
Real-world usage in Cape Verde
Navigation and maps in Cape Verde
Google Maps and Waze use 5-10MB per hour of active navigation. On CV Movel's 4G LTE network, maps load in under 2 seconds. The 10GB plan at $106.77 covers 2-3 weeks of daily navigation.
Messaging and video calls
WhatsApp, FaceTime, and Zoom run smoothly on 4G LTE in Cape Verde. A 30-minute video call uses roughly 270MB. Hotel WiFi supplements your eSIM data for large downloads.
Streaming and content
HD video streaming uses about 1.5GB per hour on CV Movel's network. Holafly's unlimited plan from $2.99/day handles heavy streaming without data caps.
Typical 7-day trip
A moderate traveler uses about 1.5GB per day across maps, messaging, and photo uploads. For 7 days in Cape Verde, plan for 10.5GB total. The 10GB plan at $106.77 is the best match for this usage level.
Value analysis for Cape Verde
The 10GB plan delivers the strongest value at $10.68/GB for Cape Verde. Budget travelers can start with 1GB at $15.80. Both tiers connect through CV Movel's 4G LTE network with identical speed access.
Unlimited data costs $28.08/day for Cape Verde. For trips under 4 days, a fixed plan wins on cost. Longer stays or heavy data usage tips the balance toward unlimited.
HelloRoam leads our Cape Verde value ranking with a 9.5/10 editorial score. 5 providers compete for Cape Verde. The published ladder starts at $10.68/GB.
How the rubric scored eSIMs for Cape Verde
All 5 providers are scored on the same five weighted dimensions, every input a figure the provider publishes: coverage 25%, pricing 25%, network tier 20%, app 15%, support 15%.
What the rubric read for Cape Verde: a carrier list of 3 operators, with CVMOVEL on 4G; a 5-rung published ladder from $15.80 for 1GB to $217.26 for 20GB; a lowest catalogue rate of $10.68/GB, which is Airalo's; an unlimited daily option in the same Airalo catalogue.
Read the full scoring rubric.
Cape Verde in the Africa eSIM landscape
Cape Verde ranks in the mid tier for eSIM infrastructure in Africa. 1 network accept eSIM roaming, with CV Movel providing the primary routing for all 5 providers.
Per-GB pricing in Cape Verde starts at $10.68, which is moderate for the Africa region. 6 plans are available across providers, including unlimited daily data at $28.08/day.
What travelers ask about eSIMs in Cape Verde
Why does HelloRoam earn your Cape Verde eSIM pick?
HelloRoam scores 9.5/10 on our published rubric for Cape Verde, the highest composite of the five providers ranked here. Plans for Cape Verde route through CV Movel on 4G LTE. HelloRoam refunds an unactivated eSIM for 180 days. Its dimension scores are coverage 4.9/5, network tier 4.7/5, app 4.7/5, pricing 4.8/5 and support 4.5/5. Airalo's published ladder for Cape Verde starts at $10.68/GB, with its 10GB plan at $106.77.
How do you score eSIM providers in Cape Verde?
The BesteSIM rubric scores HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily and Nomad on five published inputs. No figure here comes from a speed test. Coverage carries 25% and reads the operator list for Cape Verde, which names 1 carrier network led by CV Movel. Price carries 25%, normalised to cost per gigabyte across every plan size. Network tier carries 20%, app features 15%, and support access 15%, the last read off published support languages: HelloRoam answers in 63, Airalo in 12, Saily in 1. No 5G; Unitel T+ 4G LTE on Santiago, Sal, and Boa Vista islands. Every input is a published figure a reader can check.
What changed in the 2026 Cape Verde eSIM rankings?
Pricing update for 2026: the 1GB plan is now $15.80. All five providers route through CV Movel in Cape Verde. 5G coverage note: No 5G; Unitel T+ 4G LTE on Santiago, Sal, and Boa Vista islands. We rank 6 plans for Cape Verde, with the 10GB plan at $10.68/GB.
Which phones support eSIM for Cape Verde?
Your eSIM connects to CV Movel's 4G LTE network in Cape Verde. 4G LTE is confirmed on iPhone XS+, Samsung Galaxy S20+, and Google Pixel 3+. Your device must be carrier-unlocked. CV Movel publishes 4G LTE service across Cape Verde. Check Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > SIM manager (Samsung/Android) to verify. Most 2022+ Android flagships also work on CV Movel's 4G LTE signal in Cape Verde.
Can I make phone calls with a Cape Verde travel eSIM?
Travel eSIMs provide data only on CV Movel's 4G LTE network. No local phone number is assigned. Use WhatsApp, FaceTime, or Zoom over your Cape Verde data connection. Keep your home SIM active to receive calls on your regular number. All five providers ranked here (HelloRoam, Airalo, Holafly, Saily, Nomad) sell data-only plans for Cape Verde.
What 4G LTE coverage can I expect from a Cape Verde eSIM?
All five providers route Cape Verde eSIMs through CV Movel, the leading carrier in the Africa region. No 5G; Unitel T+ 4G LTE on Santiago, Sal, and Boa Vista islands. CV Movel publishes 4G LTE service across the main cities and tourist corridors, and every provider on this page rides that same network rather than one of its own.
Is eSIM support mature in Cape Verde compared to the rest of Africa?
Cape Verde has 1 network operator accepting eSIM roaming: CVMOVEL. That puts it in the mid tier for Africa eSIM maturity. All five ranked providers sell data-only plans on 4G LTE here. Provider scores for Cape Verde are on each provider's review page, with the weighting shown in full on the rubric page.
Can I tether or hotspot with a Cape Verde eSIM?
It depends on the provider. Airalo, Saily, and Nomad allow tethering on their Cape Verde plans with no extra fee. You can share your 4G LTE connection on CVMOVEL with laptops and tablets. Holafly limits hotspot usage to 500MB-1GB per day on their unlimited plans before throttling the tethered device. Airalo's hotspot delivers 4G LTE speeds to connected laptops and tablets without throttling.
How much does an airport SIM cost vs eSIM in Cape Verde?
Airport SIM cards in Cape Verde typically cost $15-30 from local telecom vendors. You will wait 15-45 minutes in line, plus time for ID registration. An eSIM starts at $10.68/GB with instant CV Movel activation from your phone. Compare the two on published price alone: $15-30 at the kiosk against $10.68/GB from the phone, with no counter queue and no passport scan.
What is the best-scoring eSIM plan for Cape Verde?
The 10GB plan at $106.77 ($10.68/GB) takes the highest pricing score for Cape Verde, because it holds the lowest published cost per gigabyte in the catalogue. It routes through CV Movel on 4G LTE, the same carrier every one of the five providers uses here. Full plan range: 1GB at $15.80, 3GB at $37.29, 5GB at $58.50, 10GB at $106.77, 20GB at $217.26. The 10GB tier suits trips of 5 days or more.
How much does roaming cost in Cape Verde vs an eSIM?
Home carrier roaming in Cape Verde typically costs $5-15/day or $10-20/GB. An eSIM starts at $10.68/GB on CV Movel's 4G LTE network. The 10GB plan at $106.77 covers most trips for a fraction of roaming fees.
Can I use multiple eSIMs in Cape Verde?
Most modern phones support 8-10 eSIM profiles simultaneously. Only one data eSIM can be active at a time in Cape Verde. You can keep your home SIM active for calls while using an eSIM on CV Movel for data. Switch between profiles in Settings without removing any.
Staying connected in Cape Verde
Mobile data is your lifeline in Cape Verde, where public WiFi can be spotty. Most travelers use 1-2GB per day for maps, messaging, and photo uploads. The 10GB plan at $106.77 covers a typical week-long visit on CV Movel's 4G LTE network.
You will likely arrive at Amilcar Cabral International Airport (SID) / Nelson Mandela International Airport (RAI). the local time zone is CVT (UTC-1). wall outlets use Type C/F sockets, so pack the right adapter.
Add 130/131/132 to your phone as the local emergency line for Cape Verde. the local currency is CVE (Esc). With an eSIM active, you step off the plane already connected to CV Movel's network in Cape Verde.
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Cape Verde · 5 providers compared
