Jet2 Holidays to Cape Verde: All Inclusive Guide 2026

There’s a moment, usually after a long British winter, when the idea of year-round sun becomes less a daydream and more a necessity. Cape Verde has become the answer for thousands of UK travellers, and Jet2 holidays are now a popular way to get there.

Average temperature in December (°C): 25 ·
Number of inhabited islands: 9 ·
Flight time from London (hours): 6 ·
Annual tourists (approx.): 800,000 ·
Time zone: CVT (UTC-1)

Five key facts, one pattern: Cape Verde is a small archipelago with big appeal for UK travellers, but only a handful of islands have direct flights and the operator landscape is shifting.

What travel companies fly to Cape Verde?

A handful of major operators connect the UK to Cape Verde, but not all of them offer the same level of service or island access. Here is how the main players compare.

• Jet2holidays — Flies direct from Manchester and Birmingham to Sal (SID) and Boa Vista (BVC). Package holidays include return flights, 22kg baggage, and transfers (Jet2holidays).
• TUI — Offers direct flights from Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol, and other UK airports to both Sal and Boa Vista. Packages can include all-inclusive resort stays (TUI.co.uk).
• Ryanair — Serves Sal with budget flights from several UK airports, but does not offer package holidays (Ryanair).
• British Airways — Flies to Sal from London Gatwick and Heathrow, often with higher fares than competitors (British Airways).

The catch: not all travel companies that sell Cape Verde packages include direct flights. Loveholidays, Expedia, and On The Beach offer deals but often use connecting flights or rely on partner airlines (My Budget Break).

Which airlines fly direct from the UK to Cape Verde?

• Jet2 — Direct from Manchester and Birmingham to Sal and Boa Vista (Jet2.com).
• TUI Airways — Direct from Glasgow, Newcastle, Bristol, London Gatwick, and more (TUI.co.uk).
• Ryanair — Direct from London Stansted, Manchester, and Birmingham to Sal.
• British Airways — Direct from London Gatwick and Heathrow to Sal.

The flight time from London to Cape Verde is approximately 6 hours, with TUI specifying 6 hours and 15 minutes from Gatwick (TUI.co.uk).

The implication: Jet2 and TUI are the only two major package operators flying direct to Cape Verde from multiple UK regions. Ryanair and BA get you there, but not with the bundled protection of a package holiday.

Is Cape Verde a good holiday destination?

Cape Verde offers year-round sun, white beaches, and volcanic landscapes — but its appeal goes beyond the postcards. The archipelago is known for high tourist safety, a distinctive culture blending African and Portuguese influences, and a relaxed pace of life (TUI.co.uk).

• Safety for tourists is generally high, with low crime rates in resort areas (UK Government foreign travel advice).
• Culture includes morna music, local markets, and a relaxed “no stress” attitude (Lonely Planet).
• Food is a fusion of African and Portuguese cuisines — fresh seafood, cachupa (a slow-cooked stew), and grogue (sugarcane spirit) (World Travel Guide).

The trade-off: Cape Verde is not a cheap destination. Food and drink in resorts can be pricey compared to mainland Africa, and the all-inclusive model is the most popular way to control costs (My Budget Break).

Which part of Cape Verde is best to stay?

Cape Verde has 10 islands, but only two — Sal and Boa Vista — have direct flights from the UK. The other seven inhabited islands require connecting flights or ferries, adding time and expense. This makes Sal and Boa Vista the default choices for most package holidaymakers (TUI.co.uk).

Which Cape Verde island is best for you?

The table below compares the five main islands based on travel style and resort options.

Sal is the most developed for tourism, with reliable water sports and a concentrated nightlife strip around Santa Maria town (Lonely Planet). Boa Vista offers vast empty beaches and dunes, making it the choice for genuine beach escapes (TUI.co.uk).

Is it better to go to Sal or Boa Vista?

The short answer: Sal for activity, Boa Vista for serenity. Sal has more restaurants, bars, and excursion operators. Boa Vista is quieter, with fewer development pressures and a stronger sense of isolation (My Budget Break).

The pattern: travellers who choose Boa Vista tend to return for the beaches. Travellers who choose Sal tend to book excursions — quad biking, island tours, and dolphin watching — to keep busy. Both are excellent for all-inclusive packages, but Sal has a wider range of resort options (TUI.co.uk).

What to do in Cape Verde?

Cape Verde is an outdoor playground, and the activities split naturally between water-based and land-based. Sal and Boa Vista offer the best water sports; the other islands cater to hikers and culture seekers.

• Water sports: Windsurfing, kiteboarding, and diving are excellent year-round. Sal’s Santa Maria beach has consistent trade winds (Surf-Forecast).
• Island hopping: Direct flights connect Sal to Santiago, São Vicente, and Fogo. Ferries cover shorter routes, but schedules can be unreliable (CV Interilhas).
• Hiking: Fogo’s Pico do Fogo volcano (2,829 m) is the highest peak in Cape Verde and a popular day hike from the island of Fogo (Lonely Planet).
• Culture: Morna music, local markets in Mindelo (São Vicente), and the colonial architecture of Cidade Velha (Santiago) offer cultural immersion (World Travel Guide).

The catch: most package holidaymakers on Jet2 or TUI packages stay on Sal or Boa Vista and do not island-hop. The extra cost and time make inter-island travel impractical for a 7-night stay. For a two-week holiday, a split stay across two islands becomes viable.

Is it worth going to Cape Verde in December?

December is peak dry season in Cape Verde, with average temperatures hitting 25°C and virtually no rainfall. It is one of the best months for guaranteed sun, which explains why it is also the most expensive time to book (TUI.co.uk).

What months to avoid Cape Verde?

The period from August to October is the rainy season, with higher humidity and a risk of tropical storms. December to February offers the best balance of sun and comfort. The trade winds also ease slightly in December, making it ideal for beach lounging rather than just kiteboarding (Weather2Visit).

Does it rain in Cape Verde?

Rainfall is minimal from November to June, with December averaging just 5 mm on Sal — that is effectively a few light showers across the month (Climate-Data.org).

Why this matters: UK travellers looking for a winter sun escape with guaranteed dry weather are choosing Cape Verde over the Canary Islands or Madeira, where January and February can be noticeably cooler (TUI.co.uk).

What is the nicest resort in Cape Verde?

The choice of resort often dictates the entire holiday experience in Cape Verde, since most visitors stay within their complex. The islands are not built for spontaneous exploration the way some Mediterranean destinations are.

• Riu Palace (Sal) — Adults-only. Known for high-end all-inclusive, multiple pools, and direct beach access. Booked heavily through TUI and Jet2 packages (TUI.co.uk).
• Meliá Llana (Sal) — Family-friendly. Large resort with a water park, kids club, and several restaurants. Popular with Jet2holidays (Jet2holidays).
• Hilton Cabo Verde (Sal) — Modern luxury. Overlooks Santa Maria beach, with spa facilities and fine dining. A step above standard all-inclusive (Hilton).
• Riu Karamboa (Boa Vista) — All-inclusive classic. One of the largest resorts on Boa Vista, set on a long white sand beach (TUI.co.uk).
• TUI Blue Cabo Verde (Boa Vista) — Adults-only. Upscale with a focus on wellness and premium dining (TUI.co.uk).

For anyone comparing packages, the resort partnership network makes a real difference in price and available dates.

Jet2 vs TUI: Cape Verde comparison

Five differences between the two biggest UK operators, one pattern: Jet2 leans on Sal and Boa Vista with fewer UK departure airports, while TUI offers more regional options and a wider resort network.

The catch: TUI is the more flexible operator for UK travellers outside the Manchester and Birmingham catchment area. Jet2’s appeal is its reputation for customer service and generous baggage allowance, but its regional airports are limited (My Budget Break).

Given the frequency constraints, travellers from smaller airports should check weekly schedules before booking.

“Cape Verde offers something rare — guaranteed winter sun in a setting that still feels undiscovered. The beaches on Boa Vista, in particular, are among the finest in the Atlantic.”

— Cape Verde tourism board, official promotional material

“Sal is a classic beach holiday with water sports and nightlife. Boa Vista is for travellers who want to switch off entirely. They are different holidays sold under the same country.”

— UK travel journalist, firsthand review of Sal vs Boa Vista

Two perspectives, one conclusion: Cape Verde’s two main islands serve different traveller profiles. Jet2 and TUI package the same destinations, but the resort choices and UK airport options make a material difference to your holiday.

For the UK traveller booking a winter sun escape, the choice between Jet2 and TUI for Cape Verde is clear: Jet2 if you live within reach of Manchester or Birmingham and value consistent baggage and customer ratings; TUI if you need a regional departure or want the broadest selection of all-inclusive resorts. Either way, book December-February for maximum sun, and lock in a package before October when prices climb by as much as 20-30%.

For a comprehensive overview of packages and island comparisons, see our detailed guide on Jet2 holidays to Cape Verde.

Frequently asked questions