Discussion
interstellar said:
on that note does anyone know if its ok to do B&B in Santa Maria (hilton) and is there plenty of nice restaurants in the town to eat out every night, not overly keen on all inclusive.
We did B&B at the Cabo Hilton last October, as like you, we like to get out and about for the evening. The hotel itself was brilliant, stylish, really well maintained with a beautiful garden and pool area. Great staff. Breakfast was OK, the evening buffet we tried once was passable but the food in the little evening bar was awful. However really good lunch / afternoon snacks at the pool bar, and their beach club restaurant was a better option for evening meals in the hotel. After about day 5 we said ‘this hotel is great, let’s come back next year’, but that feeling starts to wane for a few reasons, not down to the hotel -
Despite what appears to be a large number of restaurants in Santa Maria, they all serve the same menu - pizza, pasta, a steak option, a tuna steak. We were expecting lots of different seafood and ‘catch of the day’ type places, but there isn’t. Who knows what they do with the fish you see on the pier in the morning, as they don’t seem to get to the restaurants.
So every single thing you eat has to be imported, and so they all have the same thing, and it all costs the same.
Which in that subject isn’t that cheap. All basic mains are in the 15-18 euro range.
The other thing is the strays situation. If you have problems dealing with seeing them around, then you may struggle.
The little Brazilian beach bar by the pier however was great, with good cocktails and nice staff.
GH911 said:
We did B&B at the Cabo Hilton last October, as like you, we like to get out and about for the evening. The hotel itself was brilliant, stylish, really well maintained with a beautiful garden and pool area. Great staff. Breakfast was OK, the evening buffet we tried once was passable but the food in the little evening bar was awful. However really good lunch / afternoon snacks at the pool bar, and their beach club restaurant was a better option for evening meals in the hotel.
After about day 5 we said ‘this hotel is great, let’s come back next year’, but that feeling starts to wane for a few reasons, not down to the hotel -
Despite what appears to be a large number of restaurants in Santa Maria, they all serve the same menu - pizza, pasta, a steak option, a tuna steak. We were expecting lots of different seafood and ‘catch of the day’ type places, but there isn’t. Who knows what they do with the fish you see on the pier in the morning, as they don’t seem to get to the restaurants.
So every single thing you eat has to be imported, and so they all have the same thing, and it all costs the same.
Which in that subject isn’t that cheap. All basic mains are in the 15-18 euro range.
The other thing is the strays situation. If you have problems dealing with seeing them around, then you may struggle.
The little Brazilian beach bar by the pier however was great, with good cocktails and nice staff.
Strays situation? After about day 5 we said ‘this hotel is great, let’s come back next year’, but that feeling starts to wane for a few reasons, not down to the hotel -
Despite what appears to be a large number of restaurants in Santa Maria, they all serve the same menu - pizza, pasta, a steak option, a tuna steak. We were expecting lots of different seafood and ‘catch of the day’ type places, but there isn’t. Who knows what they do with the fish you see on the pier in the morning, as they don’t seem to get to the restaurants.
So every single thing you eat has to be imported, and so they all have the same thing, and it all costs the same.
Which in that subject isn’t that cheap. All basic mains are in the 15-18 euro range.
The other thing is the strays situation. If you have problems dealing with seeing them around, then you may struggle.
The little Brazilian beach bar by the pier however was great, with good cocktails and nice staff.
twing said:
interstellar said:
Strays situation?
Lots of dogs kicking around, some people love them, some not so keenSome cats also.
Billy_Rosewood said:
Cape verde is a bit of a hidden gem that everyone seems to know about.
But I wouldn't go again.
We went last year and stayed at Melia Dunas.. It has lots of potential, but hygiene was a serious issue.
Good points-
-pretty much on the beach*
-Rooms are a good size*
-large resort
Bad points-
-They are a sister hotel with Sol Dunas (which is a long walk to the beach) but due to demand and capacity Melia Dunas have commandeered some rooms from Sol Dunas and painted them in the same colours. They originally put us in the Sol Dunas insisting it was the same (it wasn't at all - the rooms are smaller, not finished as well and centre around a party pool blaring pop music all day long).. After hours (literally) of arguing at the front desk we were finally given rooms right by the beach in the correct resort.
-rooms are a good size as long as they put you in the correct resort!
-Flies! f
k me.. All the food is covered in flies.. Simple coverings would have prevented this. We would time our lunch and dinner times for exactly when the restaurants opened so we could run to the buffets before the flies had sat on everything. The Europeans didn't seem to bat an eyelid at this?!
-food poisoning! Many many guests told us how they had been at the resort for a couple weeks and had fallen sick with food poisoning. Lots of stories of outbreaks on the island but staff would not acknowledge any of it, neither did the TUI reps. Probably a result of the flies tbh.
-towels and toiletries weren't replaced regularly.
The island itself has a lot going for it, being able to get in the water with yellow tip sharks, watching turtles lay eggs at night etc.. Amazing experiences, but marred by the resorts imo.
The consensus from other resort goers (and family that recommended it) was that things had really gone down hill post covid (as someone else has also mentioned).
We stayed at sol dunas and first time it was one big hotel. I met the owner and had a drink with him, he is a very odd chap. Second time it had all been split up, the owner was very sketchy as to what was going on and there was lots of politics. We asked a food and beverage manager about it and he said he couldn’t wait to leave….it was all very odd.But I wouldn't go again.
We went last year and stayed at Melia Dunas.. It has lots of potential, but hygiene was a serious issue.
Good points-
-pretty much on the beach*
-Rooms are a good size*
-large resort
Bad points-
-They are a sister hotel with Sol Dunas (which is a long walk to the beach) but due to demand and capacity Melia Dunas have commandeered some rooms from Sol Dunas and painted them in the same colours. They originally put us in the Sol Dunas insisting it was the same (it wasn't at all - the rooms are smaller, not finished as well and centre around a party pool blaring pop music all day long).. After hours (literally) of arguing at the front desk we were finally given rooms right by the beach in the correct resort.
-rooms are a good size as long as they put you in the correct resort!
-Flies! f
k me.. All the food is covered in flies.. Simple coverings would have prevented this. We would time our lunch and dinner times for exactly when the restaurants opened so we could run to the buffets before the flies had sat on everything. The Europeans didn't seem to bat an eyelid at this?! -food poisoning! Many many guests told us how they had been at the resort for a couple weeks and had fallen sick with food poisoning. Lots of stories of outbreaks on the island but staff would not acknowledge any of it, neither did the TUI reps. Probably a result of the flies tbh.
-towels and toiletries weren't replaced regularly.
The island itself has a lot going for it, being able to get in the water with yellow tip sharks, watching turtles lay eggs at night etc.. Amazing experiences, but marred by the resorts imo.
The consensus from other resort goers (and family that recommended it) was that things had really gone down hill post covid (as someone else has also mentioned).
interstellar said:
on that note does anyone know if its ok to do B&B in Santa Maria (hilton) and is there plenty of nice restaurants in the town to eat out every night, not overly keen on all inclusive.
On our third visit to Santa Maria. We hired a self catering apartment . It was in Porto Antigo 2, a development right on the sea front with a pool, bar and so on. Surrounded by restaurants and shops near by. 
Go to the pier and buy some fresh fish, cook it yourself, then have a good meal on the balcony looking out to sea.
Never been before, but we are off to Cape Verde for Christmas.
Flying into Cesária Évora airport on Sao Vincente and spending a couple of nights in Mindelo before travelling across to Santo Antao - which is definitely not a desert - where we are staying on the west coast at Questel Bronq. There are some fantastic walks to do on the island. Not expecting 5* cuisine, and will be quite happy with basic local fare.
Flying Air Portugal, stopping off in Lisbon for a night on the way there.
Flying into Cesária Évora airport on Sao Vincente and spending a couple of nights in Mindelo before travelling across to Santo Antao - which is definitely not a desert - where we are staying on the west coast at Questel Bronq. There are some fantastic walks to do on the island. Not expecting 5* cuisine, and will be quite happy with basic local fare.
Flying Air Portugal, stopping off in Lisbon for a night on the way there.
nvubu said:
Never been before, but we are off to Cape Verde for Christmas.
Flying into Cesária Évora airport on Sao Vincente and spending a couple of nights in Mindelo before travelling across to Santo Antao - which is definitely not a desert - where we are staying on the west coast at Questel Bronq. There are some fantastic walks to do on the island. Not expecting 5* cuisine, and will be quite happy with basic local fare.
Flying Air Portugal, stopping off in Lisbon for a night on the way there.
Now that is a completely different part of Cape Verde. I would be very interested in how you got on.Flying into Cesária Évora airport on Sao Vincente and spending a couple of nights in Mindelo before travelling across to Santo Antao - which is definitely not a desert - where we are staying on the west coast at Questel Bronq. There are some fantastic walks to do on the island. Not expecting 5* cuisine, and will be quite happy with basic local fare.
Flying Air Portugal, stopping off in Lisbon for a night on the way there.
Please report back, with some images, when return.
nvubu said:
Never been before, but we are off to Cape Verde for Christmas.
Flying into Cesária Évora airport on Sao Vincente and spending a couple of nights in Mindelo before travelling across to Santo Antao - which is definitely not a desert - where we are staying on the west coast at Questel Bronq. There are some fantastic walks to do on the island. Not expecting 5* cuisine, and will be quite happy with basic local fare.
Flying Air Portugal, stopping off in Lisbon for a night on the way there.
It's been 10 years (gulp) since I've been there and it has changed a lot since I'm given to understand at Mindelo. Very new and fancy marina there now with loads of (very well equipped) sport fishing boats but the blue marlin season is in late spring rather than winter. The channel between sao Vicente and Santa antao was also seriously bloody windy.Flying into Cesária Évora airport on Sao Vincente and spending a couple of nights in Mindelo before travelling across to Santo Antao - which is definitely not a desert - where we are staying on the west coast at Questel Bronq. There are some fantastic walks to do on the island. Not expecting 5* cuisine, and will be quite happy with basic local fare.
Flying Air Portugal, stopping off in Lisbon for a night on the way there.
Santa antao was somewhat exciting to get to doing a beach landing at the time - accomodation was somewhat basic tbh so hopefully has improved since. The food though generally was excellent in both islands with superb seafood. If you like fish, the grilled groupers or wahoo/dorado (pelagics so slightly different type of fish) is brilliant and you have got to try the spiny lobsters (especially at Santa antao, much cheaper there just ask your place to get a couple earlier in the day for dinner).
I’ve been to Cape Verde twice in recent years.
Both Boa Vista.
2019 was about whale-watching; went out to see them twice, awesome experience.
Also did the quad bikes and e-bikes. Beach pristine. No crowds.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This year we stayed at the very recently completely refurbished Rui Karamboa and for 10 days just wanting beach and pool it was very good.
Long walks along the beautiful beach, warm weather, swimming in the ocean, relaxing by the pool where there were always plenty of loungers available…great!
I really like Cape Verde. It’s not Ibiza. It’s not Mallorca. It’s not Turkey…it’s raw. A true desolate island experience and I like that.
The hotel facilities were good. Staff excellent. Rooms very nice. The buffet’s were ok, large choice. The 3 reservation restaurants were actually good. We went to each of them once.
We had fun and would go again in the future.
Both Boa Vista.
2019 was about whale-watching; went out to see them twice, awesome experience.
Also did the quad bikes and e-bikes. Beach pristine. No crowds.
Thoroughly enjoyed it.
This year we stayed at the very recently completely refurbished Rui Karamboa and for 10 days just wanting beach and pool it was very good.
Long walks along the beautiful beach, warm weather, swimming in the ocean, relaxing by the pool where there were always plenty of loungers available…great!
I really like Cape Verde. It’s not Ibiza. It’s not Mallorca. It’s not Turkey…it’s raw. A true desolate island experience and I like that.
The hotel facilities were good. Staff excellent. Rooms very nice. The buffet’s were ok, large choice. The 3 reservation restaurants were actually good. We went to each of them once.
We had fun and would go again in the future.
bennno said:
Colleague went there and got Dengue - was advised it’s pretty common?
Never heard or read any reports of such. Then again, I tend to not worry about stuff like that - bottled water anywhere I go.
I grew up in South Africa where swimming in rivers could lead to bilhazia and a host of nasties and so treat any foreign destination as a potential health hazard when on vacation.
YorkshireStu said:
Never heard or read any reports of such.
Then again, I tend to not worry about stuff like that - bottled water anywhere I go.
I grew up in South Africa where swimming in rivers could lead to bilhazia and a host of nasties and so treat any foreign destination as a potential health hazard when on vacation.
Dengue is from mosquitoes, not drinking water.Then again, I tend to not worry about stuff like that - bottled water anywhere I go.
I grew up in South Africa where swimming in rivers could lead to bilhazia and a host of nasties and so treat any foreign destination as a potential health hazard when on vacation.
bennno said:
Colleague went there and got Dengue - was advised it’s pretty common?
I don't think it's would be 'common' tbh. It's more than before though from what I've been told now compared to long ago but usually more a thing in the summer months. Depends on what you define pretty common as I guess - in south-east asia for example, dengue definitely is around but one wouldn't really say it was common either. We went to CV about this time last year for a winter break - booked with TUI, stayed at the RIU Palace on Boavista.
It was 'OK' - the hotel was nice, the food was good, plenty of selection for the meals for a weeks all inclusive. There wasn't a lot to do other than sit by the pool though - other than a few guided excursions there weren't really many options. Due to the constant wind, all of the watersports / diving / snorkelling trips were off, and the red flags were out on the beaches most day, so no swimming in the sea, which I understand is fairly common.
After a week of people watching by the pool I was ready to come home, but I'm not really the type who can sit and do nothing all day. Speaking of people - there was a slightly weird mix of what appeared to be wealthy retirement age folks who can afford to chase the winter sun (cuprinol perma-tans and lots of bling), young wannabe influencers there for a long weekend who spent all day posting on insta / tiktok faking what a great life they are leading (asking the all inclusive bar for the empty prosecco bottles so they could stage photos on the beach), and 'larger' families who only appeared to be there because it was all inclusive who started in the pool bar at 9am and were still there at close, with short breaks for multiple plates of food in between.
I wouldn't rush to go back there.
It was 'OK' - the hotel was nice, the food was good, plenty of selection for the meals for a weeks all inclusive. There wasn't a lot to do other than sit by the pool though - other than a few guided excursions there weren't really many options. Due to the constant wind, all of the watersports / diving / snorkelling trips were off, and the red flags were out on the beaches most day, so no swimming in the sea, which I understand is fairly common.
After a week of people watching by the pool I was ready to come home, but I'm not really the type who can sit and do nothing all day. Speaking of people - there was a slightly weird mix of what appeared to be wealthy retirement age folks who can afford to chase the winter sun (cuprinol perma-tans and lots of bling), young wannabe influencers there for a long weekend who spent all day posting on insta / tiktok faking what a great life they are leading (asking the all inclusive bar for the empty prosecco bottles so they could stage photos on the beach), and 'larger' families who only appeared to be there because it was all inclusive who started in the pool bar at 9am and were still there at close, with short breaks for multiple plates of food in between.
I wouldn't rush to go back there.
Just had to add my daughter to our trip to Santo Antao as she has (finally) decided to cancel her Christmas trip to Egypt. Flight booked (more expensive), but hotels are all OK as I had booked 2 twins for all the accommodation, so have just contacted the hotels to let them know that there will be an extra person and that I will sort out the difference on arrival.
One thing I would like confirmed.
Cards - Visa/Mastercard/Amex? How widely used?
Cash - I've read that Euros are accepted most places
Local currency - any point in getting any?
One thing I would like confirmed.
Cards - Visa/Mastercard/Amex? How widely used?
Cash - I've read that Euros are accepted most places
Local currency - any point in getting any?
nvubu said:
Just had to add my daughter to our trip to Santo Antao as she has (finally) decided to cancel her Christmas trip to Egypt. Flight booked (more expensive), but hotels are all OK as I had booked 2 twins for all the accommodation, so have just contacted the hotels to let them know that there will be an extra person and that I will sort out the difference on arrival.
One thing I would like confirmed.
Cards - Visa/Mastercard/Amex? How widely used?
Cash - I've read that Euros are accepted most places
Local currency - any point in getting any?
Last time I was there, ( pre Covid ) it was mainly cash in the bars and restaurants, but I’m sure you will find that cards are accepted more now. You can only buy and sell CV Escudos on the island. Don’t bother, best to take a load of Euros, they accept them everywhere. You pay a bill and get the change in Escudos though. Get rid of them as tips.One thing I would like confirmed.
Cards - Visa/Mastercard/Amex? How widely used?
Cash - I've read that Euros are accepted most places
Local currency - any point in getting any?
Edited by Old Merc on Sunday 5th November 21:00
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