Praia - Post Report Question and Answers

What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?

Most of the year it's fine, but winter can be bad because of the sandstorms that blow in from the Sahara. - Feb 2024


Air quality is quite good by global standards with low car pollution and no trash-burning. The Harmattan from West Africa reaches Cabo Verde weakened, and Praia is more protected than sites further east. - Aug 2023


Sometimes it gets dusty outside. - Jan 2023


The only time air quality is bad is when dust blows from the Sahara. It's a couple months during the year. Even having 2 with allergies and breathing issues, it hasn't been a huge deal. We do limit our time outdoors, but inside is fine. We have a couple air purifiers we use in bedrooms at night. Overall, air quality is great! - Sep 2018


From November to March, Cabo Verde gets nasty dust storms blown over from the Sahara (300+ miles away). Many people suffer from respiratory ailments during this time. Not a good place for someone with asthma. The dust storms can last more than a week and will ground domestic flights, but it's not constant and usually the sun peeks through each day. For most of the year, it's very sunny, dry and breezy. - Dec 2017


Air quality here is very good though it does tend to get quite dusty here especially in the winter and spring months. People with allergies should bring the necessary medication with them if they have issues with dust. - Oct 2016


Great. There is no manufacturing and few cars. The air is clean. It does get quite dusty in the late winter months and that can make cleaning difficult but no problems breathing. - May 2014


In the city there are many old cars and buses with terrible exhaust. Outside of Praia the air is cleaner. - Feb 2011


Good to moderate. The brumaseca (sand storms) in the winter can aggravate allergies. Most cars spew black smoke but it's a small city so there isn't too much air pollution from cars. - Sep 2012


Pretty good except for the dusty season. People with allergies can suffer. - May 2012


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More