Group Solidarity Trip to Cape Verde

🏠 Your home in Tarrafal

During your experience you will be staying in Tarrafal, a coastal town on the island of Santiago known for its white sandy beaches and the relaxed pace of Cape Verdean life. The accommodation is a volunteer house managed by our local partner, located just a few minutes from the town centre and the medical centre. The atmosphere is friendly and welcoming: you will share spaces, meals, and everyday moments with other participants from around the world.

🛏️ Rooms & comforts

• Shared rooms (4–8 people), separated by gender
• Shared bathrooms with hot shower and Western-style facilities
• Bed linen provided (towels not included)
• Fan in the room, no air conditioning
• Lockable rooms for added privacy and security
• Wi-Fi available in common areas
• No mosquito nets or safe: it is recommended to bring your own padlock

🍽️ Meals & daily life

• 3 meals a day on weekdays and 2 at weekends
• Cape Verdean and international cuisine: rice, fresh fish, vegetables, and simple dishes
• Water, tea, and coffee always available
• Special diets accommodated on request when booking
• Meals are served at the accommodation centre and are a daily social occasion

🤝 Common areas & connection

• Living area and dining room for sharing meals and free time
• Small shared kitchen and fridge
• Wi-Fi available in common areas
• Nearby: ATM, mini-market, and local restaurants within walking distance

🧾 Included services

• Accommodation in shared rooms (4–8 pax, single-gender)
• 3 weekday meals / 2 weekend meals
• Drinking water and basic beverages
• Constant support from the local team
• Access to common areas and Wi-Fi
• Initial orientation and 24/7 assistance

💛 More than just a place to stay

The volunteer house in Tarrafal is a meeting place for cultures and people. Here you will share genuine moments with the local community and discover the everyday life of an island where every smile is a welcome.

🛡️ Safety and support

Life in Tarrafal moves at a peaceful pace and the community warmly welcomes those who come from afar 🌍 All programmes in Cape Verde are selected and supervised to ensure reliable environments managed by experienced local staff.

🔹 Participant screening

Before departure, every volunteer must provide a criminal record certificate. In , this can be requested online and free of charge for volunteering purposes. We will provide you with all the instructions to complete the process easily: a simple but essential requirement to ensure safety and mutual trust between participants, staff, and the local community.

🔹 High safety standards

• Accommodation and medical centre located in quiet, easily accessible areas
• Constant presence of the local coordinator
• Controlled access and daily monitoring of participants
• Activities organised in safe, supervised spaces

🔹 Ongoing support

From arrival to departure, you can count on the local team 24/7 for any need. Our our staff remain in constant contact via WhatsApp to provide an additional level of support throughout your stay.

🔹 Good practices for a worry-free experience

✔ Always carry the emergency numbers provided
✔ Avoid walking alone at night or in isolated areas
✔ Follow the staff's guidance and respect the centre's rules
✔ Always inform the team of any personal outings

💡 Our goal

To offer you a peaceful, safe, and authentic experience — so you can focus on the heart of the journey: discovering Cape Verdean life, learning, and sharing 🌴

🧭 Orientation Day

Your first Monday in Tarrafal is dedicated to orientation: a time to learn about Cape Verdean culture, discover the area, and feel right at home 🇨🇻

During the day you will take part in several activities guided by the local team:

• Welcome meeting and programme overview
• House rules and code of conduct
• Basic Kriolu language lesson and introduction to local traditions
• Tour of the medical centre and orientation to local health facilities
• Neighbourhood tour: supermarkets, ATM, shops, key landmarks
• Shared lunch break
• Guided visit to Mar de President beach and return for dinner

📌 After the orientation

From Tuesday you will begin your project activities with all the information you need to live your experience in Tarrafal fully and mindfully.

✈️ Arrival and departure recommendations – Tarrafal, Cape Verde

We recommend booking a flight arriving at Praia International Airport (RAI) on Sunday, between 00:05 and 02:00 on Monday. During these hours our team's meet-and-greet service is active, and they will accompany you to Tarrafal (approximately 1h30 travel time).

📍 Official meeting point

Tarrafal Square, in front of the main church. The local coordinator will be waiting for you with a sign. We recommend staying at the meeting point until our staff reaches you.

🚗 Transfers

• Average journey time: 1h15–1h30
• Free pick-up on Sunday (subject to confirmation of arrival time)
• Private pick-up available at other times or days, at an extra cost
• Return to the airport on Saturday: transfer not included, but assistance is guaranteed to arrange a taxi or shuttle

📱 Internet connection

We recommend purchasing a local SIM on arrival or activating an eSIM via Airalo before departure
👉 https://airalo.pxf.io/e15b2O
Alternatively, you can purchase a SIM during orientation with support from the local staff.

🛫 Departure

Check-out is by 12:00 on Saturday. We recommend planning your return flight for the afternoon or evening to allow enough time for the transfer to Praia. If you have an early departure or experience delays, always inform the local coordinator.

💡 After your booking is confirmed

You will receive an email with coordinator contacts, maps, emergency numbers, and all updated instructions. Following these guidelines will allow you to travel safely and without worry.