Travelers landing at Aristides Pereira International Airport hoping to grab a local SIM before their taxi arrives often find carrier presence at the terminal thinner than expected.
Quick answer: Don’t plan around buying a SIM at Boa Vista’s airport — head into Sal Rei town instead, where both CVMóvel and Unitel T+ maintain proper stores capable of registering a prepaid SIM.
Top Cape Verde eSIMs
Why the airport itself is unreliable for this
Unlike Praia’s more established kiosk setup, Boa Vista’s terminal doesn’t offer the same dependable carrier presence, making it a poor bet for travelers who need to be online immediately on landing.
Getting to Sal Rei’s carrier stores
Sal Rei is a short taxi ride from the airport, and both networks operate official shops in town capable of registering and activating a new SIM properly — the Sal Rei guide covers connectivity in this town more broadly.
What you’ll need once you’re there
Bring your passport for registration — this is a requirement for any prepaid SIM purchase in Cape Verde, and informal sellers often can’t process it correctly.
The gap between landing and getting a SIM
Given the transfer time into town plus any queue at the store, expect a real gap of an hour or more between landing and having working data through a physical SIM — a meaningful consideration if you need connectivity immediately for transport or accommodation confirmation.
Why most Boa Vista visitors use an eSIM instead
Given the airport’s limited carrier presence, an eSIM installed before departure is the more practical default here — the how to get internet guide compares this against the physical SIM route directly.
FAQ
Can I buy a SIM at Boa Vista Airport?
Not reliably — carrier presence at the terminal is limited.
Where should I go instead?
Sal Rei town, a short taxi ride away, has official stores from both carriers.
What do I need to buy a SIM in Sal Rei?
Your passport, required for registration on any prepaid SIM purchase.
How long until I have working data this way?
Often an hour or more, accounting for transfer time and any store queue.
Is this different from Praia’s airport?
Yes, Praia’s kiosk setup is more established than Boa Vista’s.
What do most travelers do instead?
Install an eSIM before departure to avoid this gap entirely.
Final Recommendation
Skip planning around the airport for a SIM — go to Sal Rei directly, or better, set up an eSIM in advance. See the install guide to do this before you fly.