Travel Answers

Cape Verde

I am thinking of travelling in August this year to this hotel, Santa Maria.... Anyone been, any tips.... adults and a 12yr old.
Whats Santa maria like?
Whats the beach like?
And will it be too windy to sit on beach in day?

What is the best way of seeing the island in April for a 70 year old couple who will be based at the Riu Touareg ? Would the off road vehicles be too uncomfortable ?

We had thought about going to Boa Vista one of the Cape Verde Islands for a holiday in the Spring. However we have read on a couple of web sites there have been incidents of Knife Crime and and an big increase in theft including some from hotel rooms. This would appear to be due to a large number of unemployed who came to the island to help in the building of two new hotels and now have no work and nowhere to go. Has any one got any knowledge of Boa Vista and are the at least the hotel safe and not subject to a high theft crime from the hotel rooms. Any information or feedback would be most as we are sitting on the fence about booking a holiday here.

I wonder if i can buy cans of Red Bull in Santa Maria. If someone can give me an advise, thank you ! Best Regards

We have booked to go to the Rui Touareg Hotel in Boa Vista at end of January beginning of February. Is it extremely windy at that time of the year. The beach we understand is on the South coast of the island and we understand the wind direction is usually from the north. So is the beach at al protected from the Northerly winds.

hi planning to to to the above timeshare resort in end of june 2012. how is that resort, how far from shops and restaurants. is there public transport. how much would be an average meal (say with 1 beer) in restaurants ?. is there much to sight see. thanks sam

I am considering a trip to Sal (or Boavista) this Easter. I found this incredible cheap flight tickets, but unfortunately no family member or friend can come. So I am considering a trip on my own. I love going to the beach, and I have done quite a lot of travelling so I do not think there will be a problem being on my own. I really need some sun as well. My question is about finding a hotel. Since this will be a spontaneous trip (and I already have been on another trip to the sun this January) I will need to find a nice, small hotel which not is a big resort. Partly to keep the cost down, partly because I am not that found of resorts. Can anyone recommend a nice hotel on Sal/Santa Maria? It should be close to beaches as well as restaurants. I would prefer to book a hotel in advance. Or is it possible/better to find a hotel after arriving? And is Sal/Santa Maria the best option for a single traveler; restaurants etc? I am 40 years old, and my opinion of a budget hotel is *** with private bathroom, and I can accept the hotel not having a pool. It must be nice and clean, and local design of the interior will only make it more charming. Thank you.

Hi, we have 2 kids under the age of 3 and looking for a hotel that has some character, a sort of small interesting hotel with a pool and it has to be next to the beach. We have never been to CV but if you can recommend a town and a great hotel that would be great. We like to shop too so we dont want to be totally secluded. thanks.

We are thinking about travelling to Cape Verde in September 2012. We have not been before so would like to know which part would suit us best. Ideally we do not want to be too remote as we do like to visit places that we can walk around in the evening. Has anyone got any suggestions as to which area and which hotel you would recommend to us. We have seen mixed reviews online so would appreciate an honest opinion! Thanks very much for your help.

Hi I'm looking at coming to Cape Verde and realy want to go to Maio, but from the UK, flights only fly to Sal or Boa Vista Ive read its hard to get to Maio What are my options to get to Maio from Sal or Boa Vista by boat, plane...or any other way!!!??? Thanks Dave

I'm off to the Riu Touareg, Boa Vista, Cape Verde in December. I love to paddle/soak/cool off in the sea but am aware that it will be windy...I'm concerned it will be so windy that it will prevent me from going in to the sea as there's likely to be a red flag up for safety reasons. Has anyone visited the island in a December that can advise me what the conditions are likely to be ? I'd also like some feedback on the new hotel if any one's been there recently, specifically on hotel/pool noise, pool over-crowding/space, good/bad points to be aware of etc. Many thanks, Valwyorks

Hello all, Late this year (maybe Sep-Oct) I am travelling with my girlfriend to CV. Our (provisory) plan is to fly from Amsterdam to Praia (Santigo) via Lisboa. From there take another plane to Mindelo (São Vicente) and from there visit both São Vicente and Santo Antão. We will then be flying back to Praia (Santiago) and taking the ferry to Fogo. In the end we will be travelling back to Amsterdam. While in CV we want to take some sun, hike (Santo Antão and Fogo), snorkel/dive and try to do some surf. We will be sleeping wherever we find accommodation and I don’t think that we will book anything in advance. I am Portuguese (my GF also speaks Portuguese) so there will be no "communication breakdown" (I hope). We have two weeks to do all this. From the lonely planet guide it seems to be possible but I would like to hear from you. My main question is: how safe is to do this? I have read (news in Italian and Portuguese - I have the links if you want) that (especially in 2010) some tourists were mugged, not only in big cities (like Praia) but also in desert beaches in Boavista, for example. What's your feeling about the safety in CV, then? Looking forward to hearing from you, André

Hi, wonder if anyone can help, myself and my partner are planning to travel to cape verde, sal, in september, we are hoping to stay in the club hotel rui garopa and was wondering; 1) what's the weather like this time of the year ? ( heard it's very windy) 2) what's this resort like? 3) if anyone has stayed at this resort, hows the food? Look forward to your replies Many thanks Andy

I am going for a week in March (region Santa maria). I wonder if there is somewhere apportunity to rent a bicycle. Also if it is also practical, safe or 'not advised' for biking around

Hi, we, 3 person, will travelling to Praia (Isla Santiago), because it's near Fogo.We will stay 2 weeks, Our interest are nature, hike, history,cooking.Can anyone help me with information, how can I make a trip to isla Fogo ore other island ? Or we take the cheap fly with Tuifly to Boa Vista ore Sal.It's also easy to go to an other island (our stay is only 2 weeks)? How can I find a nice B & B, cooking-course / drum-course? We can speak only little english, is this problematic? It's better to go with a guide? Thanks for help.

Does someone have experience how to get visa in Sal`s airport, please? How much does it cost these days for adult? I am from Slovakia, travel agency wants 80Euros for visa and I do not want to pay so much. Thanks a lot. :-)

Hi, I am looking for a holiday in Sol for next January, can anyone help me with which hotels are best and which are best avoided. Thanks for any help.

Hi I am travelling to Sal on August 17th 2010. I have been looking closely at the weather and am finding that it is cloudy quite often. I am a sun lover. Can anyone tell me whether I will be disappointed with the weather in Cape Verde? Thanks to anyone who can respond.

Hi I am considering going to boa vista or one of the other islands at the end of September however my husband and I really like to snorkel and after reading some reviews it appears this is not possible in Cape Verde as the tides are quite strong is this true?? thanks sue

Hi, I am from Ethiopia and i have a plan to go to Cape Verde by end of this month to meet my Fiancee who was born there but now lives in USA and we want to get married there in Cape Verde but here in Ethiopia there is NO DIPLOMATIC REPRESENTATION IS ESTABLISHED for Cape Verde,even there is no direct flight from here so what i have to do to get a Visa or what i have to have to go to Cape Verde ??? please replay me as soon as possible. Thank you all in Advance

Hi, since I'm trying to arrange our trip to Sal through internet (not trough Tourist agency), I would like to be sure if I can get tourist visa at arrival in Sal airport? I'm citizen of EU (Slovenia). Do I have to prepare anything in advance (e.g. send copy of passport to some office, etc.). I read that the price is 25€ - is it true? Does my doughter also need vise (she's 5)? Thanks.

I am looking to send some mail to Praia but do not have a zipcode for this place. Is there one?

hey! just wondering about how to get to the different islands of cape verde? how far are they apart? also we are thinking of flying to boa vista, are there many places to stay in boa vista itself or is it cheaper/better to stay on another island? many thanks

hey im goin to Cape Verde in Oct and was wondering if anyone could help me out with prices of things as ive not gone all inclusive? Beer? wines? spirits? Food? starters? mains? Plane rides to other islands? boat rides to other islands? Cheers.

Hi, me & my friends are a group of well travelled women in our mid 20's & we are considering Cape Verde as our next destination. The main ingredients needed for our holidays are: -hot weather -beautiful beaches -nice accommodation -places to see & explore -active nightlife (bars, clubs, disco's) we don't expect 'Ibiza' but we are not have a drink at the hotel bar and be in bed by midnight people! I like what I have seen so far from different website but would like advise from locals or people who have travelled to the island themselves to confirm if the above criteria's will be met. Thanks!

I am a dedicated runner. Is it save to go out running on my own early in the morning?

I will be visiting Praia for a couple of days and will be staying with friends who don't have an internet connection at home. Unfortunately, I will need to check my emails at least twice a day and possibly do some work. I will have my laptop with me. My questions are: 1. Is there a place in Praia where I can access the Internet either free or paid using wifi? This would allow me to work from my computer. 2. If not, can anyone recommend an affordable cybercafé or other place where I can access the Internet? Finally, what types of electrical plugs are used in Cape Verde? Thanks.

Hi can anyone tell me if maestro debit cards can be used in the ATM's on the island of SAL? Thanks

Hi, Has anyone stayed in the Juniour suites with sea view at the Morabeza Hotel in Santa Maria My husband and I are going 31 Jan 2008, also can you get sports massages there. Also what is the Mistral windsurf centre like. Any comments most welcome Thanks!

We are considering having a chill out holiday in Cape Verde Islands, possibly in either February or March next year. Can anyone please help with the following information? 1). Any hotel recommendations would be welcomed? 2). Is it best to stay on a B&B or AI basis? 3). What is the average cost of a meal when eating out? 4). What is the average cost of drinks? 5). Any restaurants and/or bars recommendations? 5). What will the weather be like at this time of year? 6). Any other information would also be most welcomed. Many thanks