The 11 Workshops & Classes in Cape Verde That Earn Their Price

1.Banana Plantation Tour and Cuscuz Workshop

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 75 reviews · 4 hours · from $88Our pick

From Praia, visit Santa Cruz’s large banana and coconut plantation, then cook cuscuz and fidjós with a local family in Orgãos. Guides such as Bamba, Carlos, Katia, and Ericson share island stories in English, French, Portuguese, or Spanish. The four-hour trip also includes Monte Txota scenery and hotel transport.

“This was so much fun! I was the only one attending the trip (as it’s off season) and I had 2 guides and 1 driver with me. Everyone was super nice and fun to talk to. Always ensuring that everything was fine, helping me walk through the plantation. Highly recommended, one of the best trips I have been on, mainly due to the guides.”

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2.Catxupa Cooking Class with a local family

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 72 reviews · 2 hours · from $41

Spend two hours with a Cape Verdean family on Sal, preparing Catxupa with a local cook such as Melissa or Alejandro. You’ll learn about the dish, share the meal, and may enjoy a short dance lesson and stories about Cape Verde. Hotel pickup and drop-off, ingredients, and a small group of up to 10 are included.

“Incroyablement surprise par cette belle expérience. Nous avons pu nous glissé dans la culture cap verdienne, on a même eu droit à un petit cours de danse, le partage de l’histoire et le plat typique qui était excellent. Je recommande cette activité et obrigada🤗”

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3.Surf Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · from $39Top rated

Meet Surf Hub Cabo Verde in Santa Maria for a one-hour lesson near Santa Maria Beach. Your instructor covers the basics on the sand, then helps you try the Atlantic waves. Beginners and intermediates are welcome, and the price includes a board, wetsuit, and surf shoes. Groups are limited to six people.

“J'ai beaucoup aimé mon premier cours de surf 😍Hâte d'en faire d'autres au plus vite! Le moniteur était top !”

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4.Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 48 reviews · from $40

Meet Surf Hub Cabo Verde in central Santa Maria, then walk with your instructor to Santa Maria Beach. You’ll practice on the sand before spending an hour in the water, learning to paddle, pop up, and stay balanced. Lessons suit beginners and intermediates, with private and group options and instructors speaking five languages.

“My son really enjoyed his private lessons, would highly recommend”

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5.Kizomba Group Class – Santa Maria, Cape Verde

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 28 reviews · 1 hour · from $25Best value

Meet the English, Portuguese, and French-speaking instructors at Chill Out bar in Santa Maria for a one-hour Kizomba class. The small group format suits beginners, with simple steps, partner changes, and a relaxed social setting. Classes run Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Drinks cost extra, and you should bring comfortable shoes and clothes.

“Foi gira, achei muita gente para o espaço. Ficou apertado. O casal de professores foram muito atenciosos”

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6.Kite Surf Lessons on Sal Island

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 17 reviews

Meet Atlantic Star in Santa Maria, then head to Kite Beach, about 10 minutes away by the school’s transport. Your two-hour lesson is taught by an experienced instructor such as Jailson, Kenny, Gilson, or Jai. Lessons suit beginners and returning riders, with equipment, safety gear, and coaching adjusted to your level.

“Great spot, great team, great experience! I had an amazing 5 day course when I spent a week over the New Year! Strongly Recommend!”

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7.Santiago Island: Banana Plantation, Natural Park & Workshop with a local family

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $87

Travel from Praia to Pedra Badejo and São Lourenço dos Órgãos in a group of up to eight. Walk through Cape Verde’s largest banana and coconut plantation, then cook cuscuz and fidjós with a local family. Guides may include Ricardo, Katia, Ayrton, or Cleber, with Spanish support available on some departures.

“Las guias fueron encantadoras. Muy atentas y colaboradoras en casa de mama luisa. Nosotros hicimos el tour en español con Katia y fue maravilloso. Recomendable 100%”

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8.Kitesurf Lessons in Cape Verde

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 8 reviews · from $141

Meet Surf Hub Cabo Verde in Santa Maria, get fitted with equipment, then head to Kitebeach for a two-hour private lesson. You’ll start with a small training kite, progress to a full-size kite and safety systems, then practice body dragging in the water with an IKO-qualified instructor. Swimming ability is required.

“The kitesurfing instructors and assistants were very professional . They kept everything as safe as possible and made the instruction fun too . I had an absolute blast and was really pleased to be able to go upwind and do transitions at last .”

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9.Kitesurfing Lessons

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 7 reviews · 2 hours · from $141

In Santa Maria, an IKO-qualified instructor teaches you kite control, safety, body dragging, relaunches, and, with further lessons, board starts. The two-hour private session suits beginners and returning kiters who can swim. English, Portuguese, French, Italian, and Spanish instruction is available, with hotel pickup and equipment included.

“The instructor was friendly and kind, but the online description is somewhat misleading. I expected to be able to go on the water properly at the end of my lesson, but was told it would take 9-10 hours of lessons to reach that point.”

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10.Mindelo Cultural: city tour with live music and dance class

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 3h 30m · from $141

Meet your guide at Ouril Hotel Mindelo for a walking tour of the marina, old town, market hall, Praça Estrela, and Cesária Évora’s story. Guide Marion leads the sightseeing, while dance instructor Noelisa Santos and a live musician introduce you to six Cape Verdean rhythms. Expect 210 minutes on foot, in English, Portuguese, French, or German.

“Hele leuke informatieve tour met als afsluiting dansles met tekst en uitleg van de herkomst. Eerst een beetje onhandig maar met het geduld van onze dansinstructeur begon het daadwerkelijk nog ergens op te lijken. Heel ongedwongen en toch in de buitenlucht. Echt leuk om te doen.”

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11.Best of Santiago Island: Cidade Velha, Workshop & Tarrafal Beach Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 3 reviews · from $140

Spend about 10 hours seeing Santiago with a small private group of up to eight. Visit Cidade Velha, cook couscous and fidjós with a local family, cross the mountains, and swim at Tarrafal Beach. Guides including Admilson, Garcia, and Maria are praised for sharing Cape Verdean customs and adapting the day to your interests.

“I had an amazing day doing The Best of Santiago Island tour. Admilson is an excellent guide. His passion for his work and his love for his country make the tour very enjoyable. I also had the chance to meet Rita, who is part of the team of BU Country Tours. I visited several plRead more”

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