Paradise In Africa – Cape Verde – Boa Vista
Welcome to Boa Vista, Cape Verde, where every moment feels like an adventure waiting to happen. This stunning island blends African and Portuguese influences beautifully, creating a destination full of soul, colour, and endless things to do.
Just a 6-hour flight from London, Cape Verde offers year-round sunshine and dreamy beaches made for pure relaxation. Picture yourself soaking up the sun on many golden sands, tasting fresh local dishes bursting with flavour, and experiencing the ‘No Stress’ vibes of the locals. Whether you’re drawn to its rich culture, vibrant nightlife, or wild natural beauty, Boa Vista promises a trip you’ll never forget.
Cape Verde is made up of 10 islands, nine of which are inhabited, but in this guide, I’ll focus on one of the most loved — Boa Vista. I’ll cover everything you need to know and share the best things to do on your visit to this magical island.
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Welcome to Boa Vista! The ‘No Stress’ Island.
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All You Need To Know About Boa Vista
Language: Portuguese is the official language, so you’ll hear it in schools, government offices, and the media. But the authentic charm lies in Creole (or Kriolu), the locals’ language. It’s a vibrant Creole mix of Portuguese and African influences, with each island’s unique twist. Learning a few phrases in Creole 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. 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.
Getting Around: Boa Vista is a small island, and the easiest way to explore is to hire a 4×4, take a taxi, or join organised tours. Roads outside the main town can be bumpy and sandy, so having a driver who knows the routes is a plus. You can also rent quad bikes for a fun, adventurous way to explore the dunes and coastlines.
Duration: Boa Vista enjoys sunshine almost all year round, seriously, it’s one of those places where bad weather barely exists. The best time to visit is between November and June, when temperatures are comfortably between 24°C and 30°C.. The ideal number of days depends on what you want out of this trip, but 7-10 days is best.
Customs & Rules: Cape Verdeans are laid-back and friendly, and their island lifestyle reflects that. Dress modestly when away from the beach or resorts, especially in small villages. Tipping is appreciated but not mandatory (around 5–10% is perfect). Avoid public displays of affection in rural areas, respect local traditions, and always ask before photographing people.
Where To Stay In Cape Verde
Santa Monica. The resorts surrounding Santa Monica are pure paradise with long stretches of soft white sand meeting turquoise waters. It’s peaceful, picture-perfect, and feels like your own private slice of heaven. It’s one of Boa Vista’s most breathtaking spots.
🩵 Recommends: Absolutely loved Hotel RIU Touareg, a beautiful resort and an absolute steal price-wise. This hotel, with its palace-like design, exceeded any expectations with its exceptional service, multiple bars, good spas, delicious restaurants and nighttime entertainment.
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.
🩵 Recommends: Oasis White Hotel is a modern 4-star hotel close to Bahia Beach. It is a gorgeous space, perfect for those who want to be away from the main resorts.
Praia de Chaves. This stunning stretch of beach is just a few kilometres from Sal Rei, known for its golden dunes and crystal-clear waters. The beach is long and relatively uncrowded, perfect for peaceful walks and relaxation.
🩵 Recommends: This area has several luxury resorts, making it a popular spot for those seeking a more tranquil getaway, such as Occidental Boa Vista Beach Resort.
Cape Verde entrance to the airport and resort
Best Things To Do In Boa Vista
Boa vista has some incredible things to do! Although the other popular island Sal has many more activities, Boa Vista has a great selection of activities that can keep you occupied for at least a few weeks.
Best Tours!
Santa Monica, Desert & Shipwreck Tour
Do the Santa Monica, Desert, & Shipwreck Tour for an epic tour around Boa Vista. We cruised through the Viana Desert in a 4×4 and had an absolute blast sand surfing down the golden dunes. I’ll be honest — I was a little nervous at first, but it turned out to be such a fun first-time experience! The vibes were amazing, and the staff were super friendly, which made it even better.
I couldn’t resist picking up some artwork from one of the local artists set up nearby, it’s such a great way to support the community and grab a one-of-a-kind souvenir. After soaking up the desert energy, we headed to the next stop on the tour: the Santa Maria Shipwreck.
Sand-surfing on sun dunes and the artwork I purchased in Cape Verde
Cabo Santa Maria Shipwreck
We arrived at this gorgeous landmark beach, where a rusting cargo ship has been standing proudly in the sea since 1968. This Spanish vessel ran aground on the coast while carrying luxury goods, including sports cars and gifts meant for Spanish dictator Francisco Franco. Thankfully, everyone on board survived, and the items were safely recovered and returned to their owners.
Over time, the shipwreck has become a striking symbol of Boa Vista’s beauty and a hotspot for photographers, painters, and anyone chasing that perfect Instagram shot. More than 50 years later, the shipwreck continues to slowly fade into the ocean, yet its story still fascinates visitors.
We spent some time wandering along the beach, snapping photos and taking in the shipwreck scenery. A few friendly locals sold colourful scarves and handmade souvenirs, adding to the charm of the spot. After around half an hour, it was time to head off to our next stop on the tour, Sal Rei.
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 me the most in Sal Rei; it visually stunned me how talented they are.
Although Sal Rei may be tiny compared to the UK, 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.
Travelling alone but feeling nervous? The How To Travel Solo Ebook has tips for planning safe, confident, and unforgettable adventures!
White Sand 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.
Pretty views from Bahia Beach
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!
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.
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.
Inside and outside of Nossa Senhora da Conceicao Church in Provoacao Velha
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.
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.
Enjoying the views of Praia Santa Monica Beach
Boa Vista Sunset Tour
Do the Sunset Tour for an amzing evening away from your resort! We were picked up from our resort to go to the beach bar restaurant Morabeza. Morabeza means open spirit, welcoming, hospitable, and relaxed; the name lived up to that! 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.
My mum and I 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 Sunset Tour should be a priority if you visit Boa Vista.
Best Tours!
That’s A Wrap!
Boa Vista was such a fun and unexpected adventure. From exploring the golden dunes and shipwrecks to chilling on postcard-perfect beaches, every stop had something exciting to offer. The energy was relaxed yet full of life , the kind of place that makes you forget about time completely.
If you’re planning a trip to Cape Verde, make sure Boa Vista is on your list. It’s got that perfect mix of culture, sunshine, and adventure that makes travel so special. Whether you’re going solo, with friends, or on a relaxing getaway on a mum-daughter trip, Boa Vista will make you fall in love with island life all over again. You ready to explore? GO!
