Although tourists heading to the Cape Verde Islands are more familiar with the holiday airports at Sal or Boa Vista, the capital, Praia, on the island of Santiago, also boasts its own airport. Nelson Mandela Airport only opened in 2005 and is one of the smaller airports. The terminal is modern and compact; the walk from the entrance to the departure hall to the boarding gate is no more than 50 metres. 

The airport is open 24 hours a day and it is possible to spend the night there.