Discussion
Firstly, how do you get to Cape Verde from the UK? Is it just a case of flights only being available from London airports? Secondly would anyone recommend it for a late Jan holiday with young children? I may be going skiing late Jan but my wife and children want a holiday too. They've done Tenerife the last two years but it seems late Jan is the only period in the year when Tenerife is just too chilly to be enjoyable. They need somewhere else, hence looking at Cape Verde.
If Cape Verde isn't suitable does anyone else have any recommendations? Thanks in advance.
If Cape Verde isn't suitable does anyone else have any recommendations? Thanks in advance.
I went to Cape Verde in mid December about 8 years ago, flew from Gatwick I think. Temps were fine but the pools a little cold to the point I can't actually remember actually going in it.
Would I go again? No.... there is little to do if anything other than a 'sand safari' unless you just want to sit and do nothing.
In January, IMO, if you can't make the Caribbean then your best option closer to home is Canaries
Would I go again? No.... there is little to do if anything other than a 'sand safari' unless you just want to sit and do nothing.
In January, IMO, if you can't make the Caribbean then your best option closer to home is Canaries
We, me and MrsNethers went to Boavista, Cape Verde in early October this year, flew from Birmingham.
Only 3 hotels currently on the Island, Palace is the newest and most modern, good spec rooms, all inclusive basis, wide variety of choice to eat for each meal, 3 pools, kids, quiet & beach bar, close to the sea but swimming is difficult its very rough, 30+ degrees some windy days though lovely sandy beaches.
Not much to do on the island, we did quad biking tour for half a day and a night turtle spotting, other than that its pretty bleak. If you want a week round the pool then fine. Locals are friendly and accommodating.
We would go back before it gets really commercialised, apparently an 5000 room hotel has been approved by the Government for the south of Boavista !
Only 3 hotels currently on the Island, Palace is the newest and most modern, good spec rooms, all inclusive basis, wide variety of choice to eat for each meal, 3 pools, kids, quiet & beach bar, close to the sea but swimming is difficult its very rough, 30+ degrees some windy days though lovely sandy beaches.
Not much to do on the island, we did quad biking tour for half a day and a night turtle spotting, other than that its pretty bleak. If you want a week round the pool then fine. Locals are friendly and accommodating.
We would go back before it gets really commercialised, apparently an 5000 room hotel has been approved by the Government for the south of Boavista !
Not been but did a load of research (and still doing more) for a trip next March. Tui flights are from Bristol (now Tuesday instead of Weds), Gatwick, Brum and Manchester.
Sal has quite a bit to do now, well-rated bars and restaurants, Boavista not so much. It's bloody expensive, in my opinion, considering it's a relatively short flight and not particularly tourist-ready. Although that is the appeal for me so I think it's still a goer.
Weather in Janiary is mid 20s, a bit chilly at night.
The Rui hotels seem decent value as long as you don't stay in the Palace (anthother £500 each for 2 weeks).
Boavista seems to have a problem with a stomach bug atm, lots of it and some people unable to fly home because of it.
Join a couple of FB hotel groups, lots of info & opinions to help you make your minds up.
Sal has quite a bit to do now, well-rated bars and restaurants, Boavista not so much. It's bloody expensive, in my opinion, considering it's a relatively short flight and not particularly tourist-ready. Although that is the appeal for me so I think it's still a goer.
Weather in Janiary is mid 20s, a bit chilly at night.
The Rui hotels seem decent value as long as you don't stay in the Palace (anthother £500 each for 2 weeks).
Boavista seems to have a problem with a stomach bug atm, lots of it and some people unable to fly home because of it.
Join a couple of FB hotel groups, lots of info & opinions to help you make your minds up.
LuS1fer said:
Tenerife can be unpredictable due to the height of the mountain. The other islands are flatter and I have been going to Fuerteventura for 5 years in late January and early February and have only had one aberrant cold week.
It's still way better than the UK though.
Gran Canaria has a 2000m mountain on it too... It's still way better than the UK though.
Lanzarote is windy as hell.
Probably Fuertevenutura the best bet.
DaveGrohl said:
We're in the north of Eng but Manc doesn't bring anything up on Google, I assumed it was London or nowt. Tenerife is usually in the 20s early Jan but last two years experience of late Jan has yielded high teens, which isn't great for kids in outside swimming pools.
Tui/First Choice fly out of Manchester on Mondays although they seem to be messing round with their days alot atmI've been twice
Once in 2014 from Birmingham, once in September this year from Gatwick. Both times to Boa Vista
I'd recommend it if that's the sort of holiday you want but, after 2 visits, we're done with Boa Vista and would only go back if it was to Sal.
Once in 2014 from Birmingham, once in September this year from Gatwick. Both times to Boa Vista
- The runway at Boa Vista is very short, so your 5 hour flight is on a smaller jet - like the ones they use for London>Scotland flights. This means a cramped seat and no in-flight entertainment.
- The Riu hotels are lovely for what they are. Decent food, nice pools, spacious rooms. The Touareg is smack in the middle of nowhere, the others are near the airport, but considering the whole island is 'nowhere' that doesn't mean it's full of life!
- There's nothing on the island apart from sand and some hills. There's a couple of small towns, but there's nothing really in them. This means if you want to go exploring, etc Boa Vista is not for you.
- But for a sit-by-the-pool and read books/listen to music holiday, it's ideal - spot on.
I'd recommend it if that's the sort of holiday you want but, after 2 visits, we're done with Boa Vista and would only go back if it was to Sal.
Cape Verde has been discussed here in detail https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
My wife and I have been there three times over the last ten years. I would definitely recommend Santa Maria on Sal Island,nice lively little town. Check out all my posts,we have stayed at three different types of accommodation there,all good,and the weather was just perfect. https://www.capeverde.co.uk/guide/weather
My wife and I have been there three times over the last ten years. I would definitely recommend Santa Maria on Sal Island,nice lively little town. Check out all my posts,we have stayed at three different types of accommodation there,all good,and the weather was just perfect. https://www.capeverde.co.uk/guide/weather
Edited by Old Merc on Tuesday 22 October 16:13
okgo said:
LuS1fer said:
Tenerife can be unpredictable due to the height of the mountain. The other islands are flatter and I have been going to Fuerteventura for 5 years in late January and early February and have only had one aberrant cold week.
It's still way better than the UK though.
Gran Canaria has a 2000m mountain on it too... It's still way better than the UK though.
Lanzarote is windy as hell.
Probably Fuertevenutura the best bet.
Personally I'd not bother with the Canaries from late Nov to the end of Feb - too much of a risk weather wise although we have spent Christmas day on the beach near Corralejo in brilliant sunshine once but if you do go in the middle of winter then the safest choice is southern Lanzarote or northern Furteventura which means either Playa Blanca or Correlajeo. Both are sheltered from the NE Trade winds by the Papagayo mountain range just north of Playa Blanca and it's often a little sunnier and warmer there compared to the rest of the islands.
Puerto Mogon right down the south of Gran Canaria is sheltered too.
If the island is shrouded in low heavy cloud get as far up wind as you can as there's often a thin band of sunshine along the windward coast.
twing said:
Hi Ruskie 
which island/hotel were you at if you don't mind?
Here’s my trip advisor review... which island/hotel were you at if you don't mind?https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g357...
Ruskie said:
Thanks Ruskie, that hotel has had some really bad problems with sickness this yeartwing said:
Ruskie said:
Thanks Ruskie, that hotel has had some really bad problems with sickness this yearCape Verde does not suite everyone,how ever we have been to Santa Maria on Sal Island three times,staying in three different types of accommodation,5*, 3*, and SC, all without any issues.
Just to add don't think of Cape Verde as being just a couple of windswept sandpits. We stayed on Sal and forfeited a few nights of our cheap all-inclusive to hop on an internal flight to Mindelo, then the ferry to Santo Antao. That'll take you from flat and barren to lush and volcanic in just a few hours. On the other islands the scenery is truly stunning. Don't miss out, just do an image search on Santo Antao, you'll see what I mean.
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