5 Workshops & Classes in Cape Verde to Build a Day Around

1.Banana Plantation Tour and Cuscuz Workshop

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

Travel from Praia to Santa Cruz and Orgãos with guides such as Bamba, Carlos, or Katia. Walk through a banana and coconut plantation, taste local produce when available, then make cuscuz and fidjós with Mama Luisa or another local host. This four-hour morning tour combines food, farming, and mountain scenery.

“Carlos war als Guide wirklich super: Egal ob Klopause / Getränk / Restaurantempfehlungen < alles wurde abgedeckt! Wir hatten das Glück die Tour zu zweit zu machen, sozusagen als "private Tour" & uns wurde viel über Land und Leute erklärt. Wir konnten Zuckerrohr probieren, Grogue und haben gehalten um Früchte zu kaufen (Soursup konnten wir vorher nicht mal). Mama Luisa hat uns in ihre Kochkünste eingeweiht, absolute Empfehlung diese Tour zu buchen!”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Catxupa Cooking Class with a local family

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

Join a Cape Verdean family on Sal for a two-hour Catxupa cooking class. With a local cook and guide such as Melissa or Alejandro, you’ll prepare the island’s famous corn-and-bean dish, learn about local traditions, enjoy a meal, and return to your hotel.

“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🤗”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Surf Lessons

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

Meet Surf Hub Cabo Verde in Santa Maria for a one-hour lesson with an instructor such as Rubén. You’ll learn board skills on the beach, then practice in the Atlantic. The group is capped at six, and your board, wetsuit, and surf shoes are included. You must be a good swimmer.

“Merece la pena, un rato muy divertido. Y aprendimos mas de lo que esperábamos, en una hora ya surfeamos alguna ola. Ruben es un gran profesional. Es un ambiente muy cercano y amigable.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Surf Lesson

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 48 reviews · from $40

Meet Surf Hub Cabo Verde near Santa Maria’s Main Square, collect your board, wetsuit, and surf shoes, then walk to the beach. Your instructor, including Ruben on some lessons, starts with dry-land practice before an hour in the water. Private and group lessons suit beginners and improving surfers, with timing set around high tide and safe conditions.

“We were welcomed and escorted to beach where our guide explained we would practice on dry land first and then proceed into the water once the technique had been explained. He explained to my son when his technique wasn't correct and why, and he quickly learnt the technique required. Once in the water my son was taken out to the required depth and the guide stayed with him. My son quickly got the hang of it and soon he was accompanying the locals, thanks to an expert guide.”

Check availability →Read our full review

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 is limited to 10 people, with simple step-by-step teaching, regular partner changes, and time to enjoy drinks afterward. Bring comfortable shoes, clothes, and cash for the bar.

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

Check availability →Read our full review