Where Paradise Greets You
Welcome to Boa Vista, Cape Verde, where every moment is an adventure filled with plenty of things to do. This stunning island promises unforgettable experiences with a unique blend of African and Portuguese influences.
Easily accessible with a 6-hour flight from London, Cape Verde offers year-round sunshine and pristine, sandy shores for relaxation. Picture yourself basking in the sun’s warmth on sun-kissed beaches, indulging in mouthwatering cuisine bursting with flavours, and swaying to the infectious beats of local music.
Whether you’re interested in Cape Verde’s rich cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, or breathtaking nature, this island paradise ensures an unforgettable escape.
Ten archipelago islands exist, nine of which are inhabited. But in this guide, I’ll focus on one of the popular islands, Boa Visit. I’ll provide the important information you need and recommend the best things to do during your visit to Boa Vista.
Welcome to Boa Vista! The island of BEAUTY.
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Currency & Language In Cape Verde
Language: The official language is Portuguese, so you’ll hear it in schools, government offices, and the media. But the real charm lies in Crioulo (or Kriolu), the language of the locals. It’s a vibrant Creole mix of Portuguese and African influences, with each island’s unique twist. Learning a few phrases in Crioulo can be a fun way to connect with the friendly people of Cape Verde.
Currency: The Cape Verdean Escudo (CVE) is what you’ll use here. It’s pegged to the Euro, making it pretty stable. When you’re out and about, you’ll notice that most places prefer cash, but larger hotels and restaurants often accept credit cards. ATMs are in the main towns, so you can easily withdraw Escudos. Remember, tipping is appreciated and usually a small percentage of your bill.
Arriving In Boa Vista
When we arrived at Boa Vista airport, the vibes were giving! It felt like home, and we were welcomed with open arms and embraced as part of the community. Cape Verde welcomed us with open arms, leaving a lasting impression on us, so we’ll be visiting again. This destination has much potential to become a top favourite among many. The development of Cape Verde could be outstanding!
Cape Verde entrance to airport and resort
Where To Stay In Cape Verde
Sal Rei. Sal Rei is the island’s capital and main town. It’s the most developed area on Boa Vista, with many hotels, guesthouses, restaurants, bars, and shops. Sal Rei is also home to several beautiful beaches, including Praia de Cabral and Praia de Estoril, which are great for swimming and water sports like kite surfing.
Praia de Chaves. Praia de Chaves is a stunning stretch of beach just a few kilometres from Sal Rei, known for its golden dunes and crystal-clear waters. This area has several luxury stays, making it a popular spot for those seeking a more tranquil, all-inclusive beach holiday. The beach is long and relatively uncrowded, perfect for peaceful walks and relaxation.
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My Hotel Picks:
We stayed at Hotel RIU Touareg, a beautiful resort in Boa Vista, Cape Verde. We purchased an all-inclusive holiday package that worked out incredibly well below our budget.
This hotel resembled a palace in its design and exceeded our expectations with its exceptional service. From multiple bars and good spas to delicious restaurants and night-time entertainment, this would be a hotel I would definitely revisit. I should also remember to mention the never-ending private beach! It’s jaw-dropping.
Also, if you plan on getting a packaged tour, purchase from a trusted travel agent; I typically use TUI for all-inclusive packaged holidays or Love Holidays for amazing deals.
Day Tour In Boa Vista
We went on a day tour similar to Full-day Caves, Dunes, and Santa Monica Beach Tour.
On this tour, we drove to the Viana Desert in a 4×4 and thoroughly enjoyed a fabulous sand surfing experience on the dunes. I was a little nervous, but there was nothing to fear; it was a really good first-time experience. The vibes were good, and the staff was super friendly, adding to the atmosphere.
Sand-surfing on sun dunes and artwork we purchased in Cape Verde
In addition, we couldn’t resist purchasing artwork from one of the few artists stationed there. This proved a great way to support the locals and acquire a fabulous souvenir. After some time at this location, we went to the tour’s next destination, the Santa Maria Shipwreck.
Santa Maria Shipwreck
We arrived at this gorgeous landmark beach where a rusting cargo ship has been static in the sea since 1968. The Spanish ship was stranded on the coast. On board were various luxurious items, including sports cars and gifts from the Spanish dictator Franciso Franco. Fortunately, those on board survived, and the luxury items were recovered and transferred to their owners.
Consequently, this location has become popular for photographers, painters, and those who love an excellent Instagram-worthy picture following this shipwreck. Over the last 50 years, this ship in Cape Verde has been slowly deteriorating and continues to do so.
We strolled around the stunning beach, taking pictures and admiring the scenery. Some friendly locals sell long scarves and quirky souvenirs at the beach. We stayed at this beach for roughly 30 minutes before heading to our following location.
Cabo Santa Maria Shipwreck Beach, which is a popular Instagram spot
Sal Rei
Our next stop was Sal Rei. Half of the island’s 12,000 population live here, and it is the most developed location in Cape Verde. It was interesting to see how the locals hang out. We had time to explore Sal Rei Town and came across little stall markets where African traders sold colourful goods. The artwork made out of butterflies impressed us the most in Sal Rei; it visually stunned us.
Although Sal Rei may be tiny compared to London, it boasts a travel agent shop, a bank, a chemist, a post office, and some restaurants. After refreshments and a toilet break, it was time to leave Sal Rei and have lunch at Bahia Beach.
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White Sand Bahia Beach
Our pretty views from Bahia Beach
Lunch on the beach is always a great idea, so the scenic environment of Baiha Beach was perfect. Our tour price included our three-course meal: chicken pate on bread for starters, steak salad and chips for mains, and an unusual but yummy dessert. After an hour of relaxing with good vibes at Baiha Beach, we set off for our next destination, Provoacao Velha.
Provoacao Velha
We hopped off at Provoacao Velha to visit the Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Church at the foot of Rocha Estancia Mountain. The church is famous for being the oldest settlement on the island and was Cape Verde’s capital until 1810. In 2010, experts estimated that 309 inhabitants lived in Provoacao. With a tight-knit, friendly community, they are very open to tourists. So, say hi and wave at the people in Provoacao Velha!
The foot of Rocha Estancia Mountain in Provoacao Velha
Builders constructed Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Church (Portuguese for Our Lady of Conception) in 1828. However, the 2015 hurricane damaged 50 homes in Provoacao Velha, restoring this church and building a newer building.
Inside and outside of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Church in Provoacao Velha
After repenting of our sins, we walked through the town toward our 4×4. We waved to the locals and stopped for refreshments. Then we went to our last stop, Praia Santa Monica.
Praia Santa Monica Beach
We reached our final destination, Praia Santa Monica Beach, renowned as Boa Vista’s longest beach. Be sure to visit the stunning beach ASAP, as large resorts are set to be constructed here soon. I recently went to an event where they were showcasing some of the building plans. The massive complex will remove most access to Praia Santa Monica Beach.
Enjoying the views of Praia Santa Monica Beach
Upon arriving at Praia Santa Monica Beach, we were free to roam, relax, and enjoy refreshments at the bar at the beach entrance. We enjoyed this scenic beach and sunbathed; it was an excellent way to end the tour.
If you love beaches, this tour is best suited for you, as many of its stops are at beaches. Check if this tour is still stopping at Praia Santa Monica Beach or if it’s too late.
If you find yourself wanting a more adventure-type tour rather than the beach-based tours, I recommend the following:
Boa Vista Sunset Tour
We booked the TUI Sunset Tour, which we loved! In the evening, we were picked up from our hotel to go to the beach bar restaurant Morabeza. Morabeza means open spirit, welcoming, hospitable, and relaxed; the name lived up to that! If you’re looking for something awesome to do in the evening, this is best!
Upon our arrival, we received shots of something tasty and were free to roam around and enjoy the sunset while the food was being prepared.
At the Morabeza Beach Bar and Restaurant
The meal was delicious, and the sun was setting, but it wasn’t over yet. We were treated to an evening of fantastic entertainment from African Drummers and a bonfire. They put on a great interactive show. We danced around the bonfire as they sang to the infectious beating of their drums. If you enjoy it, bring some petty cash for a small tip at the end; they’ll appreciate it.
After burning some calories from dancing, the evening slowly ended. As we relaxed, live music entertained us until our pick-up arrived. The night concluded on a high note, leaving us with cherished memories; this TUI Sunset Tour should be a priority if you visit Boa Vista.
That’s A Wrap!
Overall, the Cape Verdian experience has been one of my favourites, with many things to do; it’s a destination I will return to. It’s infectious, with good vibes and great places to see and things to do, from visiting Sal Rei to sandboarding on the dune. Could Cape Verde be your next destination?
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