Coolest month by Cape Verde standards with steady northeast trade winds and little rain. Good month for beach days and water sports on most islands.
NASA's Visible Earth CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons
Average daily low and high (°C) and monthly rainfall. The badge shows how it feels, allowing for humidity.
Average temperature across Cape Verde in January.
Santo Antão & São Nicolau
Trade winds and cooler mountain air dominate January; Santo Antão’s high valleys around Ribeira Grande and Paul feel fresh in the mornings, often 15-20°C, while afternoons warm to the low 20s. Trails can be crisp but muddy after any showers; clear spells give spectacular views to the ocean. Bring a light jacket for dawn treks and expect fewer tourists than the low islands.
urban & cultural coast
Northeast trade winds give January a bracing feel on Mindelo’s waterfront; daytime temperatures are mild, often 22-26°C, and evenings are cool enough for a light jacket. The port is lively despite low-season tourism and the sea is choppy but pleasant for short boat trips. Expect little rain and clean, crisp skies - a good month for exploring the colonial streets and local cafés.
beaches, dunes and resorts
January brings cool, constant northeast winds that make kite- and wind-surfing prime, while daytime air typically sits in the mid-20s Celsius. Santa Maria (Sal) is busy with European winter sun-seekers and evenings are breezy; pack a windbreaker for open beaches. Rain is very uncommon, so expect dry sand and steady surf conditions but occasionally briefer swell-driven choppiness.
Praia, Cidade Velha & interior hills
A blustery January brings cool mornings and steady trade winds to Praia; daytime temperatures are mild, midday often 24-27°C, while nights feel noticeably cooler. City streets are pleasant for walking and café culture thrives; do bring a light jacket for evenings. Rain is scarce, so urban dust can be more apparent, especially if Saharan haze drifts in.
volcanic heights and sheltered southern isles
January’s cooler mornings on Fogo can be quite crisp at elevation - Chã das Caldeiras and trails toward Pico do Fogo feel distinctly fresher, with lows sometimes near 10-12°C at higher camps. Brava, lower and more sheltered, stays warmer and often misty in the mornings. Both islands experience steady trade winds on the coast; pack warm layers if you’ll sleep in the caldera.
There are no major festivals or events in Cape Verde during January to be aware of.
See how January compares with the rest of the year, then read the full guide.