Discussion
Morning all,
Looking to lock in some time off at the end of March and a friend has put Cape Verde on the radar.
Are there any recommendations / things to avoid?
Flights from Bristol work better but appear to go to Boa Vista, flights from Manchester would be more of a trek but go to Sal.
Any guidance on which one is better?
Any hotel recommendations etc please?
Thanks!
I have been to both, there’s more to do on Sal but still not a great deal, lots of water sports, a small town that’s not really worth bothering with and a few trips from tui which are good enough (don’t bother with the salt mine)
In Sal I stayed at the tui blue for 2 Cabo Verde and really enjoyed it, food was good every-night, it’s not a burgers and chips buffet so think lots of very nice fish and local meat dishes, hotel entertainment was good in the evenings and drinks where local spirits but they measured them so not minging, wines where good (I didn’t drink a great deal, just a couple in the evenings) a very geriatric hotel, I was 27 at the time and everyone else was 40+ in January
Stayed at the Rui toureg in Boa Vista, a much bigger hotel but I was in the adults only section, food was still good, more choice and a bit more catering to families as the main buffet was open to everyone, the al a cart resturants where all good too, this hotel has a night club and more entertainment. And it’s massive, a good 5 min walk from the adults only section to the restaurant.
The weather is best described as a perfect summers day, 25ish, with a constant breeze so you never sweat, but be warned, it can be cloudy for the whole week.
I really enjoyed it as a perfect get away and relax without having to go long haul, I plan to go again and stay in the robbinsons club tui hotel which focuses on wellbeing and sports.
Don’t expect it to be like Greece where you can be out of the hotel Evetynight, it’s very much all inclusive territory.
I went from Bristol to Sal and Gatwick to Boa Vista
In Sal I stayed at the tui blue for 2 Cabo Verde and really enjoyed it, food was good every-night, it’s not a burgers and chips buffet so think lots of very nice fish and local meat dishes, hotel entertainment was good in the evenings and drinks where local spirits but they measured them so not minging, wines where good (I didn’t drink a great deal, just a couple in the evenings) a very geriatric hotel, I was 27 at the time and everyone else was 40+ in January
Stayed at the Rui toureg in Boa Vista, a much bigger hotel but I was in the adults only section, food was still good, more choice and a bit more catering to families as the main buffet was open to everyone, the al a cart resturants where all good too, this hotel has a night club and more entertainment. And it’s massive, a good 5 min walk from the adults only section to the restaurant.
The weather is best described as a perfect summers day, 25ish, with a constant breeze so you never sweat, but be warned, it can be cloudy for the whole week.
I really enjoyed it as a perfect get away and relax without having to go long haul, I plan to go again and stay in the robbinsons club tui hotel which focuses on wellbeing and sports.
Don’t expect it to be like Greece where you can be out of the hotel Evetynight, it’s very much all inclusive territory.
I went from Bristol to Sal and Gatwick to Boa Vista
Stayed at Karamboa on Boa Vista and loved every minute. Local tours groups rather that TUi, much better value and far more personal.
Two lovely beach bars within a half hour walk to get away from the all inc once in awhile.
Just be mindful that it's due a refurb at some point this year but Tui still seem to be taking bookings all the way through anyway.
Two lovely beach bars within a half hour walk to get away from the all inc once in awhile.
Just be mindful that it's due a refurb at some point this year but Tui still seem to be taking bookings all the way through anyway.
I stayed in Sal and found it a barren wasteland with nothing really outside the hotel complexs.
The village of santa maria was half built and half looking like it has been awaiting completion for many years, and it could be looked around in 30 minutes.
Personally i really couldnt recommend it at all.
The village of santa maria was half built and half looking like it has been awaiting completion for many years, and it could be looked around in 30 minutes.
Personally i really couldnt recommend it at all.
twing said:
Google Giggling Ghekkos for an amazing tour guide, you’ll be bang in the middle of whale season and Jennie does an amazing boat trip. Pm me and I’ll introduce you
Another vote for this company.We went to Boa Vista in January a few years ago and loved it.
Used giggling ghekkos for beach bbq thing with fire eaters and music etc, and done of their quad bike tours which was great fun! Loads of dunes to race up and down on, would use again!
HughiusMaximus said:
Thanks for the advice.
Pulled the trigger on a week at the end of March.
Booked the Riu Palace in Boavista so hopefully its nice!
Everything you want to know about Cape Verde is here, with another link in the tread as well. https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...Pulled the trigger on a week at the end of March.
Booked the Riu Palace in Boavista so hopefully its nice!
Mind you this is all pre Covid, I bet those little islands suffered.
I`ve been to Cape Verde three times, staying in a 5*, 3* and self catering, enjoyed every visit. We found Santa Maria on Sal a nice place to stay, lively, quirky, good beaches and restaurants.
Been twice Sept 19 Boa Vista Riu Palace Hotel, Nov 21 Sal Riu Palace Hotel
Its an all inclusive holiday destination, as other have said little to do outside.
We did a turtle trip on Boa Vista and Quad bike tour both very good, just did a buggy tour round Sal last time again very good.
We will go again as its a banker do nothing round the pool with pretty much guaranteed sun, hotels are good, food good too.
Value for money non long haul winter sun, ideal.
Its an all inclusive holiday destination, as other have said little to do outside.
We did a turtle trip on Boa Vista and Quad bike tour both very good, just did a buggy tour round Sal last time again very good.
We will go again as its a banker do nothing round the pool with pretty much guaranteed sun, hotels are good, food good too.
Value for money non long haul winter sun, ideal.
HughiusMaximus said:
Thanks for the suggestions all.
I'll PM you for an intro Twing.
Have dropped her an email. Her name's Jen and and you can get her at info@gigglinggeckoadventures.comI'll PM you for an intro Twing.
If you tell her Steve introduced you she'll know. She also does an airport pick-up which is well worth it to beat the
check-in queues, The money goes to the locals too.
interstellar said:
Thinking of going here in Jan for a chilled week doing nothing.
Any more hotel recommendations?
We have stayed here https://hotelmorabeza.com/ would recommend it, good food and service. Any more hotel recommendations?
They also do outside BBQ with live music and a dance show. Its in Santa Maria, a lively town in Sal Island. Right on the beach, short walk to the town centre. Plenty of water sports, sailing, fishing or just chilling on the beach. There is a pier where locals land and sell fish, fun and fascinating.
The weather is always nice in January.
Plenty of deals with these guys https://www.capeverde.co.uk/?gad=1&gclid=CjwKC...
Also with BA Holidays and TUI.
Edited by Old Merc on Tuesday 24th October 10:22
Nickbrapp said:
Stayed at the Rui toureg in Boa Vista, a much bigger hotel but I was in the adults only section, food was still good, more choice and a bit more catering to families as the main buffet was open to everyone, the al a cart resturants where all good too, this hotel has a night club and more entertainment. And it’s massive, a good 5 min walk from the adults only section to the restaurant.
MrsRace is currently shortlisting this place for a holiday this time next year... 
raceboy said:
Nickbrapp said:
Stayed at the Rui toureg in Boa Vista, a much bigger hotel but I was in the adults only section, food was still good, more choice and a bit more catering to families as the main buffet was open to everyone, the al a cart resturants where all good too, this hotel has a night club and more entertainment. And it’s massive, a good 5 min walk from the adults only section to the restaurant.
MrsRace is currently shortlisting this place for a holiday this time next year... First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
Muzzer79 said:
I've been there twice.
First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
I'd heard the Touareg is now very tired!!First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
interstellar said:
Muzzer79 said:
I've been there twice.
First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
I'd heard the Touareg is now very tired!!First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
The other problem with Rui Touareg, there is nothing at all outside the hotel. Boa Vista is like the moon, the hotel has been described as 5* prison camp.
That’s why we loved Santa Maria on Sal, lots to see and do. Plenty of bars, restaurants and shops, along with some good hotels and holiday let’s. ( providing Covid did not hurt them as well?)
Old Merc said:
interstellar said:
Muzzer79 said:
I've been there twice.
First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
I'd heard the Touareg is now very tired!!First was in 2014. The hotel was lovely, weather good. The perfect place to do (literally) nothing for 2 weeks.
Second was in 2019, 10 days this time on a cheap deal. The clientele had.....deteriorated. We both got mild food poisoning. Some people got it very bad. The fact it's in the middle of nowhere was more of an issue for us - it felt more like a luxury prison than the first time.
My advice? It's fine if it's a cheap holiday you want but don't eat the ice cream and don't drink any of the milk.
The other problem with Rui Touareg, there is nothing at all outside the hotel. Boa Vista is like the moon, the hotel has been described as 5* prison camp.
That’s why we loved Santa Maria on Sal, lots to see and do. Plenty of bars, restaurants and shops, along with some good hotels and holiday let’s. ( providing Covid did not hurt them as well?)
Too big, in the middle of nowhere and more of a holiday town than a resort.
Threw my toys out of the pram on day 2 and would’ve left if we hadn’t been able to move to the AA section.
Giggling Gecko were my saviour - spent as much time out of the resort with them as possible.
I wouldn’t go back.
This thread is really selling Cape Verde to me..... 
MrsRace is trying to counter with recent TripAdvisor reviews but I'm not keen.
I'm more than happy staying in the hotel for a week of excessive eating and drinking, so where I am doesn't really concern me, last 2 Holidays of this style have been to the same hotel in Turkey and couldn't fault that, but this time we're going with other people that have 'different' requirements.
MrsRace is trying to counter with recent TripAdvisor reviews but I'm not keen.
I'm more than happy staying in the hotel for a week of excessive eating and drinking, so where I am doesn't really concern me, last 2 Holidays of this style have been to the same hotel in Turkey and couldn't fault that, but this time we're going with other people that have 'different' requirements.
raceboy said:
This thread is really selling Cape Verde to me.....
MrsRace is trying to counter with recent TripAdvisor reviews but I'm not keen.
I'm more than happy staying in the hotel for a week of excessive eating and drinking, so where I am doesn't really concern me, last 2 Holidays of this style have been to the same hotel in Turkey and couldn't fault that, but this time we're going with other people that have 'different' requirements.
When you say different?MrsRace is trying to counter with recent TripAdvisor reviews but I'm not keen.
I'm more than happy staying in the hotel for a week of excessive eating and drinking, so where I am doesn't really concern me, last 2 Holidays of this style have been to the same hotel in Turkey and couldn't fault that, but this time we're going with other people that have 'different' requirements.
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