The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) has issued updated travel guidance for British visitors to Cape Verde.
Holidaymakers have been told to check if their travel insurance covers medical care, repatriation costs and extreme sports, and consider this before booking recreational activities.
The warning comes as officials highlight that medical evacuation is likely following incidents such as quad bike accidents, due to the limited healthcare facilities on the islands.
The FCDO said: "Quad biking is considered an extreme sport. It is unlikely that it will be included in your travel insurance policy.
"Medical facilities are very basic in Cape Verde so it is highly likely that following a quad bike accident you will need to be medically evacuated.
"It's a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike. Your insurance policy may be invalidated if you have an accident and you're not wearing a helmet."
Healthcare services in Cape Verde are concentrated in two main hospitals, located in Praia on Santiago island and Mindelo on São Vicente.
Smaller medical facilities and clinics are distributed across the country, though their capabilities are limited.
The FCDO stated: "Medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable.
"Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult."
Britons should check the FCDO's website for information on medical providers in Cape Verde who speak English. Tourists on medication are advised to bring a sufficient amount due to the lack of medicines on the island.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
In other travel news, TUI has announced a new flight route from the UK to a Caribbean holiday destination.
New direct flights will journey from Belfast International Airport to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, launching in summer 2026.
The service, which will be Belfast's only direct route to the Caribbean nation, will begin operations on June 20, 2026.
Holidaymakers can book 14-night stays across multiple Dominican resorts, including La Romana, Bayahibe, San Pedro de Macoris, Punta Cana, Bavaro, Cap Cana, Miches and Uvero Alto.
Find Out More...
Holidaymakers have been told to check if their travel insurance covers medical care, repatriation costs and extreme sports, and consider this before booking recreational activities.
The warning comes as officials highlight that medical evacuation is likely following incidents such as quad bike accidents, due to the limited healthcare facilities on the islands.
The FCDO said: "Quad biking is considered an extreme sport. It is unlikely that it will be included in your travel insurance policy.
"Medical facilities are very basic in Cape Verde so it is highly likely that following a quad bike accident you will need to be medically evacuated.
"It's a legal requirement to wear a crash helmet when riding a scooter or quad bike. Your insurance policy may be invalidated if you have an accident and you're not wearing a helmet."
Healthcare services in Cape Verde are concentrated in two main hospitals, located in Praia on Santiago island and Mindelo on São Vicente.
Smaller medical facilities and clinics are distributed across the country, though their capabilities are limited.
The FCDO stated: "Medical facilities in Cape Verde are basic and limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable.
"Medical facilities are particularly limited on the island of Boa Vista. The islands of Brava and Santo Antão do not have working airports, so medical air evacuation is extremely difficult."
Britons should check the FCDO's website for information on medical providers in Cape Verde who speak English. Tourists on medication are advised to bring a sufficient amount due to the lack of medicines on the island.
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In other travel news, TUI has announced a new flight route from the UK to a Caribbean holiday destination.
New direct flights will journey from Belfast International Airport to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, launching in summer 2026.
The service, which will be Belfast's only direct route to the Caribbean nation, will begin operations on June 20, 2026.
Holidaymakers can book 14-night stays across multiple Dominican resorts, including La Romana, Bayahibe, San Pedro de Macoris, Punta Cana, Bavaro, Cap Cana, Miches and Uvero Alto.
Find Out More...