Aristides Pereira International Airport serves Cape Verde’s second-busiest resort island, and its terminal WiFi is generally the only free connectivity option before you reach your accommodation.
Quick answer: Terminal WiFi is available and workable for basic tasks, but carrier infrastructure at the airport itself is limited — for a SIM card, plan on heading into Sal Rei town rather than expecting to sort it out at the gate.
Top Cape Verde eSIMs
Using the terminal network on arrival
Joining the airport’s WiFi is simple enough for checking messages, confirming transfers, or looking up your accommodation’s address while you wait for luggage.
Why Boa Vista’s airport isn’t the place to sort out a SIM
Unlike some regional airports, carrier presence here is thin — the SIM card at Boa Vista Airport guide covers why heading straight to Sal Rei’s carrier shops is the more reliable route.
The transfer into Sal Rei
Once you leave the terminal, WiFi disappears until you reach your accommodation — the Sal Rei guide covers connectivity in the island’s main town once you arrive.
Heading straight to a remote beach resort instead
If your accommodation is further from Sal Rei, particularly toward the island’s quieter dune areas, coverage along the way may already be thinning — the Boa Vista beach guide covers what to expect once you’re past town.
Setting up before you land
Given the limited carrier presence at the airport itself, installing an eSIM before departure is the more dependable route here compared to islands with better-staffed arrival kiosks — the install guide covers doing this at home.
FAQ
Is there WiFi at Boa Vista Airport?
Yes, free terminal WiFi is available for arrivals and departures.
Can I buy a SIM card at the airport?
Carrier presence is limited — Sal Rei town is the more reliable option.
Does WiFi work during the transfer into town?
No, it’s limited to the terminal building itself.
Should I set up an eSIM before I fly instead?
Yes, given the limited carrier infrastructure at this specific airport.
Is coverage good heading toward remote beaches from the airport?
It can thin considerably the further you get from Sal Rei.
What’s the main town near the airport?
Sal Rei, Boa Vista’s primary hub for shops and services.
Final Recommendation
Use the terminal WiFi for immediate needs, but arrange your main connectivity before landing rather than at the gate. See the Sal Rei guide for connectivity once you’re in town.