Before traveling to Cabo Verde or any other country, the U.S. Department of State encourages all Americans to check its web site for a helpful traveler’s checklist. For more specific information on Cabo Verde, visit the Department’s Country Information Sheet.
Travel Warnings, Public Announcements, and Messages to U.S. Citizens and Emergency Messages to U.S. Citizens
From time to time, the Department of State receives unconfirmed reports that prompt concern about the safety and security of U.S. Government personnel and private American citizens abroad. In addition, the possibility remains that terrorists and other groups or individuals may take actions against Americans and American interests. In the past, these groups and individuals have not distinguished between U.S. government and civilian targets. Security continues to be a prime concern at U.S. government facilities worldwide; likewise, U.S. citizens traveling or residing abroad are urged to review their own personal security practices, to be attentive to their surroundings, and to exercise caution.
Prior to traveling, Americans are encouraged to read the Department’s current Travel Alerts and Warnings. Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans consider carefully the risks of travel to a certain country. The State Department issues Travel Alerts to disseminate information quickly about relatively short-term conditions that pose a risk or may cause disruptions to Americans traveling abroad.
The U.S. Embassy Praia has instituted a Warden System. Wardens are volunteers who have agreed to disseminate information and provide assistance to other Americans living in their area. Periodically the Embassy will send out messages to U.S. Citizens and emergency messages to U.S. Citizens to our Wardens, who will then provide the information to Americans resident in their district. If you would like to know the name and contact information for the Warden covering your island or area of Cabo Verde, please contact the U.S. Embassy, Praia at PraiaConsular@state.gov. For the Warden system to work best, Americans living or traveling through Cabo Verde should register with the Embassy through the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
Registration
Travel registration is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. Registration allows you to record information about your upcoming trip abroad that the Department of State can use to assist you in case of an emergency. We strongly recommend that all U.S. Citizens in Cabo Verde register with the Embassy. Registration provides proof of citizenship in case of a lost or stolen passport and allows the Consular Section to contact you in emergencies. A U.S. passport is required for registration. The Privacy Act prevents the Consular Section from divulging registered information without the express consent of registrants. The Department of State has made registering even easier with the STEP program. The site is secure and all data collected via STEP falls under the Privacy Act.
