Lying 300 miles off the coast of West Africa, the Cape Verde Islands is an archipelago of 10 islands and eight smaller islets that is being heralded as the nearest winter sunshine destination to the UK, and the 'new Caribbean'.
By Gordon Miller
Prices correct as of winter 2006.
Governed by Portugal until gaining independence in 1975, it's easy to see why the Portuguese were reluctant to release Cape Verde from their control. Beautiful white sand beaches ring most of the islands, while palm trees sway in the breeze that cools the year-round tropical temperature of 23°C (75F).
If the Portuguese brought European ways to the Islands' administration, its colourful culture owes everything to West Africa. Today, while the hotel complexes on Sal and its capital Santa Maria are very much international in appeal, elsewhere the language, cuisine, architecture and nightlife are exotically out of Africa.
The Island's government has only begun to appreciate the rich cultural melting pot in the last five years. Tourism and housing construction are largely new to the islands, and in particular its main two: Praia and Sal; the latter being the destination to which charter airline Astreus (www.astreaus.co.uk) has recently begun the first direct flight to the islands from the UK airports of Gatwick and Manchester.
The onset of direct flights is expected to have a large impact on the property market, as Roy Bristow, marketing manager for New Skys (www.newskys.co.uk) explains, 'With direct flights from the UK having commenced and with properties available for less than £70,000, Cape Verde gives buyers the opportunity to own a tropical island getaway, just over five hours' flying time away.'
New Skys has apartments priced from £67,000 for sale, which is considerably higher than a year ago when £35,000 would have secured an entry-level apartment. The sharp increase in prices can be attributed largely to the fact that 'the Cape Verde secret is out' and the onset of the direct flights from Britain.
'Cape Verde has moved on from the "flip phase" - where buyers can expect a quick profit - and is no longer the really cheap option for buying an island getaway,' says Bristow. 'It is, however, still more affordable than the Canary Islands and buying in the Islands is best suited to longer term investors; those who are able to wait for local infrastructure to be improved to the accommodating levels found in more mature tourism regions.'
Currently, away from the resorts, the Islands' infrastructure could best be described as basic: generally, the roads are poorly built and repaired; water is a finite resource, dependent at present on periodic rains; and healthcare and education are rudimentary for locals. The government is aware of its shortcomings and sees income from tourism and property developments as a way to improve its people's standard of living.
Its strategy appears to be working. Developers are building within guidelines laid down to ensure the Islands do not become a high rise hell, with many properties in construction being built in an environmentally aware, low density manner; foreign investors and second home buyers are purchasing property, paying over taxes and bringing money into the local economy that will, in time, oil the wheels of change and progress.
So, what does your money buy you in the Islands? New Skys is marketing Ponta Preta Condominium on Sal, where a two-bedroom townhouse is priced from €99,950 (£67,000). The development is front-line to the beach, within an exclusive headland in the south of the island, alongside the fabulous new RIU 5 Star Hotel. It surrounds a communal swimming pool and overlooks a future botanical park. A modern medical centre, commercial centre and water park are also nearby.
