Cape Verde Islands, any one been?

[Old Merc]

A spur of the moment thing,my wife booked a holiday in November at Santa Maria,Sal, Cape Verde. What`s it like? info,advice,tips? appreciated.

[stevensdrs]

I went last year. Absolutely fine for a weeks chilling out. Nothing to see or do really, just eat drink and soak up the sun.

[Puggit]

A friend just came backs - she absolutely loved it. Strange, she's a Majorca kind of girl...

[Malx]

I was just about to start a thread on Cape Verde as a holiday destination as i'm considering going. It looks really cheap for the quality of hotel but there does seem to be a lack of activities

[Blib]

We went to Sal last year. As mentioned above, there's absolutely nothing to do. The salt extraction ponds were fun to float in, a la the Dead Sea. Other than that, Nada.

However, we hired a Suzuki 4x4 for a day and just set off around the island. One of the strangest things about the roads there is that they sort of peter out. Sometimes just a few yards outside the towns. One minute you're on a tarmacked road and suddenly it just peters out into a track. This enables you to blat around the desolate wastes to your heart's content.

Another thing we noticed was the lack of biting insects - one of Mrs Blib's pet hates. The strong breeze keeps them away.

It was Ok. But, we certainly wouldn't return in a hurry. In fact, we wouldn't return slowly either.



ETA: Oh and you MUST get a visa before you arrive if you don't want to be kept waiting for a while at the airport. If you buy a Thompson's package, it's included in the bill. We didn't. SO, we had to wait.

Edited by Blib on Monday 9th July 22:50

[bluelightbabe]

I went to Boa Vista three years ago when there was only a couple of hotels. Not much to do there at the time, but that was the purpose of the holiday. Came back chilled and loved the two weeks I had there.

[Rib]

Been once a few years ago, won't go back......

[AndyD360]

Awesome place. Not masses to do but is half the reason I go on hols.....

Weather is good all year round, sea temp most noticeable as it never seems cold. Breeze from the ocean takes the edge of the heat but be careful... got burnt in no time at all - enjoyed it so much bought a place out there

Been to both Sal and Santiago - Sal is a bit bland but more touristy, Santiago more varied and interesting. North end of the island very green and hilly - good to get a hire car for couple of days to have a look round.

[Dick Dastardly]

Was there a few months ago but won't be going back. Far, far too windy to enjoy relaxing and nothing else to do other than relax meant for the first time, I wanted to come home halfway through the holiday. Probably not the review you were looking for but better you know what it's like. Take lots of books.

[Rib]

oh god yes the wind! forgot about that, we were also confined to out hotel as if you went on the beach it was like sand storm! we also had a stupid amount of fly's everywhere aswell!

[jesusbuiltmycar]

Rib said:

oh god yes the wind! forgot about that, we were also confined to out hotel as if you went on the beach it was like sand storm! we also had a stupid amount of fly's everywhere aswell!

Went about 5 years ago in March (windy season), needless to say an excellent place for kitesurfing / windsurfing so I had a great time while the wife got very bored. Sal is like a desolate version of Fuerteventura.

[Rib]

yes very much like the canary islands, only with nothing else to do, LOADS of building going on and in a few years time may well be much more to do and withthe wind may become a good attraction for the kite surfers instead of rainy old cornwall

[sone]

We stayed on Sal a couple of years ago, biggest disappointment for us was the complete lack of wildlife. That and nothing to do outside of the hotel. Still very restful.
Wouldn't return but it was ok.