Do you know that there is a Caribbean paradise just 5-hour flight from Europe? Cape Verde Islands have natural beauty and charm. And although it becomes more popular as a tourist destination, the islands remain still unspoilt.
Lisa is one of the women I met in the virtual space. She is from the UK and has been following me on Facebook for a while. After she shared several beautiful pictures from Cape Verde, I asked her if she would like to share her experience with the other women from our community. This post from the LADIES ON THE MOVE series is a result of her travel passion and willingness to be helpful to others. She said: “This is my first time writing, so please be gentle!” but I think she did a great job to inspire us to visit Cape Verde! Read her bio at the bottom of this post.
Why Are the Cape Verde Islands Interesting as a Destination?
Just imagine that you are in Sal and strolling down the Santa Maria’s, beautiful, magnolia coloured sands, lapped by clear azure waters.
Small brightly painted fishing boats are scattered on the shore, ready for the next morning’s fishing.
Walking down the pier, you see the bustle of everyday life, as this morning’s fresh haul is hand prepared by everyone from toddlers to the elderly!
There’s something about Sal….
You could mistake this beautiful Island for any Caribbean destination.
Except….. It’s closer! Nestled just off the coast of Senegal are the Cape Verde Islands. They consist of 10 beautiful Islands and a handful of Islets, each one of them unique!
The archipelago is created by volcanoes and Saharan drift and it is still a little-known destination and so, still relatively unspoilt. There is no better time to visit!
I have visited the Island of Sal for 10 years now, as our family invested in property there. I have watched the very slow, but sure progress of the Island, and can safely say it has remained mostly the same in its natural beauty and charm, but improved in variety and quality of restaurants in the town, amenities, and services.
The Islands all have their own local weather systems, and so vary greatly in humidity, landscape, greenery, rainfall, and development.
Sal is mostly flat and desert-like, with little rain, sand dunes, and long sweeping, beautiful beaches. One of its gems is the friendly coastal town of Santa Maria.
From stunning beaches, mountains, rainforests, and volcanoes to salt flats – amongst the ten Islands, there is something for everyone!
What Should Women Know Before Going to Sal?
Visas for Cape Verde and Sal Airport:
You can buy a visa in advance, and many holiday companies or airlines offer this service. But in my opinion, it is fairly pointless and often results in you queuing longer, and in some cases having to pay again and wait for reimbursement! To avoid any further delay have Euros ready; they will not accept anything else (25Euros per person, Feb 2017)
On entering the tiny airport on arrival, turn LEFT and queue along the window side lane, towards a counter for Visas. I have had airport staff try to usher me into the wrong lane that takes you forward to Passport control!
For instance, I watched a whole plane full of people get in the Passport Control lane as directed, and then after queuing for sometime were all told to join our Visa queue! They were warned on the plane by thcabin crew of this on-going confusion. They didn’t listen, and so people who were first off the plane were now at the back of the queue! (Trust me – go left, you will be on the beach in no time!
They use two currencies – Euros and Cape Verdean Escudos, which is a closed currency. Always check your currency against both, before travel. (GBP favoured Escudo over the Euro, Feb 2017.)
Health and vaccinations for visiting Cape Verde:
Safety:
What Should You Know about the Local Culture?
Great things about Cape Verde:
Short flight distances from European destinations, compared to the Caribbean. (from the UK to Sal is approx 5.5 hrs)
No Jet lag! Due to little difference in time zones.
Travel is very easy as the islands are very small and distances between destinations are quick and simple, meaning you can cram more into your day!
Weather and Climate
As The Cape Verde Islands are on the Equator, they get to enjoy beautiful all year round temperatures.
Sal has very little rainfall, compared to its neighbours, which you can tell by its desert like landscape.
The Islands are blessed by day with a breeze, helping you to tan whilst keeping you cool. The breeze is also creating amazing waves for great water sports conditions, blowing away a lot of the mosquitoes, and also being the result of tropical storms forming off the coast of the Islands and heading off to the Caribbean! (Yes you can feel smug that you are probably enjoying the better weather!). Due to the breeze, it can be a little cooler outside in the evening once the sun has gone down. So it’s wise to pack a couple of pairs of thin trousers, and a cardigan or a light jacket for walking about in the evenings, just in case.
Using a Taxi
Taxis around the town of Santa Maria, Sal should be around 2 Euros by day and 3 Euros at night. (2017)
If you don’t want to do a set trip to a location with a huge group, and restrictions on times and schedule etc, you can arrange and fix a price with a local taxi driver to take you privately. We paid 40 Euros for a taxi to take us to Baia da Parda and wait for us then take us back when we were ready.
About the Food
The cuisine is mostly based on the amazing fresh sea food sourced from around the waters of the Islands, and local Cape Verdean dishes. But now is branching out to a great variety of European dishes, and Italian restaurants.
What To Do and See In Sal?
Santa Maria Pier
Buracona lagoon
At the right time of year and time of day, when the sun lines up and hits it in the right spot, it lights up like a blue eye!
Salina, de Pedre Lume, Salt mine.
The Island is named after the Salt mine found at Pedre de Lume. In an inactive volcano, you can now float in a salt lake that is 25% Salt, similar to the Dead Sea!
Baia da Parda, Walking with Lemon sharks!
Wade in waist-high as the placid Lemon sharks come in to graze on the starfish, on the rocky seafloor! Ocean shoes are a must but can hire these from locals on the beach for 2 Euros, they will offer to wade out with you helping you navigate the rocks, and will show you where they are feeding. Expect a polite request of approx 2 Euros per person for their service, it’s worth it for the steady arm to cling to, as very rocky, due to old volcanic eruptions!
Scuba diving and snorkelling
If you enjoy these, there is a statue of Jesus at the bottom of the sea near Hotel O’djo d’Agua and Porto Antigo 1.
Neptunus
A glass-bottomed Yellow submarine, not recommended for those who suffer sea sickness though!
Project Biodiversity
Project Biodiversity is a charity where you can volunteer to help with Turtle conservation on the Island, by doing night campouts and patrols of the beaches, at nesting and hatching seasons, to deter poachers, and aid hatchlings into the sea safely!
More activities on Cape Verde:
Map source – Check the site for more practical information on visiting Cape Verde
My name is Lisa Boden. I am from the UK and a pre-school teacher and mother of two. I have a love of travel, and new experiences, and a passion for sharing these with others!
I used to enjoy backpacking alone, with friends and then with my husband. Now I have children and I am enjoying opening up their eyes to the beautiful world around them, and immersing them in other cultures! I travel alone with my children, at times when my husband is busy with work.
We are fortunate to have family properties in Cape Verde, Turkey and Corfu and so spend a lot of time making the most of these locations, but also love to see new places in between!
MORE ISLAND READS:
Maldives Islands and More – What You Should Know as a Woman
Dreaming of the Hypnotic Caribbean? Why Not Visit Guadeloupe!
An Exciting Melange: My Top Places to Visit in CUBA
4 comments
Cape Verde is NOT a Portuguese colony–it was but is now an autonomous country. Still, a very nice description of the wonderful Cape Verdean people–who are half African and half-Portuguese with an admixture of other races even Jewish (Marranos from Portugal).
Hi Jack, thank you for your comment. I appreciate it and did the correction immediately.
Hi Lisa, It’s great article. I have just one extra question, is the Porto Antigo beach free to access by public if you are not staying in surrounding it hotels?
The beach and pool are technically private as sunbeds are for guests… As there is a cafe/bar Papayas, next to the beach which is open to public, so you can walk down and around the area.
I would say as long as you are buying drinks/food no one would probably question you. It’s a beautiful spot for photos and a drink or 3!
And as with anywhere, respect the beach by keeping it tidy, and be mindful of the other guests.
There are rules on the wall…
You can access by Porto Antigo’s entrance from the road (walk past reception through the big arch, and carry on past the pool) Or you can walk along the beach till you get to hotel Odjo D’ Agua, you can walk up the steps and around the restaurant (there is a balcony that curves round the outside of the restaurant, beautiful views!) this will lead you to Porto Antigo…. Again you can eat at Odjo’s and use their snack bar, they are welcome for the extra custom. Hope that helps!?