Who flies to the island of Sal Cabo Verde. Salty island Sal for the sweet life. Location and general description
When preparing a trip to Cape Verde to the island of Sal, it was difficult to find any useful information. Therefore, upon my return, I decided to make life a little easier for those who want to go there in the future.
I’ll say right away that I was flying from Italy. Portuguese Airlines (TAP) with connection in Lisbon. They also fly from Moscow. from Lisbon to Sal about 3.5 hours. night flight. The time difference with Moscow is 4 hours.
I didn't have a visa. I called the Consulate in Moscow (or the Representative Office, as it is called there), explained the situation (that I was studying in Italy and had no idea where to go to apply for it here), the secretary assured me that there would be no problems, and that they would issue me a visa upon arrival (for 25 euros), and if problems arise when boarding the plane, if the airline workers start to find fault, then I can safely insist on my own :) “insisting on my own” confused me a little, but did not stop me! :) there were no problems at all. The presence of a visa was not checked either at the airport in Rome or at the airport in Lisbon.
There is nothing difficult about getting from the airport. Sal to Santa Maria (a resort village in the south of the island) at any time of the day or night. The taxi fare is fixed - 15 euros.
By the way, in Cape Verde you can pay in both the local currency escudo and euro. The official and constant exchange rate is 1 euro = 110 escudos. So, if you want, change the euro to local currency (you can do this at a bank or in a hotel, the rate in the hotel is the same as in the bank), or if you want, no. although there is still a small benefit in the exchange - if you pay in euros in a restaurant or store, then in this case you will be “served” at the rate of 1 = 100. keep in mind.
There are no problems with living there either. There are all-inclusive resorts, there are small inexpensive family hotels, and there are also guesthouses. You can also rent an apartment or villa.
for example, this one. with beautiful bushes in the yard :)
or right by the ocean
we stayed at the Da Luz Hotel. a double room with breakfast, but without air conditioning :) cost 41 euros per night. The hotel is quite nice, nothing special (what can you expect for that kind of money). They cleaned and changed towels every day. breakfast is edible. the staff is always ready to help. on the last day, our check-in (according to the hotel rules) was supposed to be at 12 noon, and our flight was only at 2 am. we asked to stay in the room for another half a day, in the end they didn’t even charge us any money for it. We handed over the keys to the room at 23 zero zero.
This red-haired magnatka :) lived in our hotel. loved sunbathing by the pool :)
if you want to find accommodation even cheaper, there is such an option - it’s called Cafe relax. There are rooms on the 2nd floor. 20 euros without breakfast. I haven’t seen what these rooms look like, so I can’t vouch for the quality. By the way, this cafe has very tasty pastries, and it’s not expensive at all.
To find housing, I can recommend the website caboverde dot com.
Santa Maria itself is very small, so there is absolutely no big difference in which part of it you live. There are grocery stores (but there’s nothing to buy in them :)). Don't count on cheap fruits. everything is imported and expensive. bananas and papaya are all the fruits.
school
Anglican Church (there are only two of them in Santa Maria, there is also a Catholic one)
restaurants and cafes are mainly run by Italians. There are no "fashionable" places. everything is simple. prices are normal, although they vary quite a lot depending on the location. From my own experience, I recommend the Papaya cafe-bar (located on the territory of one of the resorts). a great place to have a couple of glasses of something at sunset. wonderful view, great terrace. but the food is only salads, pizza, light snacks and desserts.
sunset from Papaya terrace
the second “appetizing” place is the Onda cristalina (Crystal Wave) restaurant, a 1-minute walk from the Da Luz hotel. outwardly it looks more like a canteen than a restaurant, but it’s tasty and cheap. Europeans who have bought real estate for themselves and live permanently or “come for the summer” to the island come there for lunch and dinner. incredibly tasty and cheapest (about 7 euros) grilled octopus (polipo) in Santa Maria here!
Also check out the Creol cafe, it’s right next to the school. The homemade food there is delicious, especially the Cape Verdian fish.
and finally, our favorite place is Angela`s. A small family restaurant, but so popular that a table for Friday-Saturday evenings must be booked in advance. at lunchtime from about 12 to 15 they operate a buffet system. 8 euros per kilogram (!!!) of food... :) Sunday is a day off. In general, on Sunday almost everywhere is a day off, everything is closed...
There are plenty of souvenir shops. the assortment is typically African, since they are kept mainly by Senegalese: wooden figurines, masks, musical instruments, ceramics, jewelry (some very ugly and expensive). There is also a souvenir shop at the airport, next to the duty free.
shops are often painted to attract the attention of potential buyers.
November 19 - 28, 2016 as D44TBC.
It will operate on the 20 and 30m bands.
QSL via EA2SS bureau, eQSL.
Sal - island of the Cape Verde archipelago
The most popular island of Cape Verde
Sal Island belongs to the archipelago, the so-called islands of the Cape Verde Republic. Sal is located in the Atlantic Ocean opposite the west coast of Africa. The area of the island is 216 sq. km, its width does not exceed 12 km. Sal is inhabited by approximately 25 thousand people - descendants of Portuguese colonialists and slaves from the salt fields. The official religion is Catholicism, inherited from the time of Portuguese expansion. Local residents speak a Creole dialect, but understand and can speak fluently Portuguese, English and French. The largest cities on the island are Espargos, located next to the international airport, and Santa Maria, which is the local tourist center. The basis of the economy is the actively developing tourism business. Half of the tourists coming to the archipelago stop on the island of Sal. The island has a developed infrastructure with numerous hotels, shops, restaurants and real estate agencies. A significant portion of the income comes from the international airport, from which flights depart to all major cities of European countries. The island's population is also engaged in fishing.
Portuguese colonies
Sal is the most ancient island in the archipelago. Its existence dates back about 50 million years, when a small piece of land rose above the water as a result of a volcanic eruption. Over millions of years, the rocky island turned into a plain.
In 1460, the island was discovered by Portuguese navigators Antonio de Noli and Diego Gomes, from whom the open land received its first name Llana or Plana, which means plain. However, its true discoverers were the African Moors, who long before the arrival of the Portuguese knew about the existence of the island and mined salt on it. The Portuguese made no attempt to settle the open lands due to lack of moisture. For several centuries, the territory of modern Sal was used for grazing livestock, mainly goats.
In 1833, a turning point occurred in the history of the island when a salt deposit was rediscovered in the crater of an extinct volcano near the village of Pedro de Lume. The island owes its second name, Sal or Salt Island, to this mineral. The development of the deposit contributed to the active settlement of the island. The mined salt was exported to Africa and Brazil. Since 1975, Sal has become part of the independent democratic republic of the archipelago under the joint patronage of Europe and Africa.
Sal Island, Cape Verde. Photo by Gianni Maestri.
Summer all year round
The island of Sal has a flat topography, its highest point, Mount Monte Grande, rises 406 m above sea level. The island's landscape is formed by white sand dunes and flat plains, with rocky ridges jutting out in places. Due to the unusual combination of plains and small rocky hills, the island's landscape resembles a lunar landscape. The remains of rocks indicate the volcanic origin of the island, and the white sand is brought here from Africa by strong oceanic winds.
The island is characterized by a warm, dry climate. The sunny summer here lasts all year round, the air temperature does not drop below + 22°C. Even if the sky is covered with clouds, rain is unlikely. The rainy season in the area lasts from August to mid-October, but even during this period rainfall is rare on Sal Island.
Sal Island, Cape Verde. Photo by Sebastian Fransson.
Island of beaches, bays and coral reefs
The island is popular among fans of both beach holidays and active pastime. The coastal waters of Sal offer exciting diving opportunities. Tourists diving here will be able to see the Blue Room cave with uneven walls, extensive coral reefs, and the remains of a sunken ship.
The island's bays are suitable for windsurfing for athletes of all levels, from beginners to advanced. Beginners hone their skills in the shallow bays near the town of Santa Maria, while experienced windsurfers train on Punta Pretta Beach, where international windsurfer competitions also take place.
Lovers of a serene beach holiday will appreciate the long sandy beaches, azure cloudless skies, and clean coastal waters with a comfortable temperature of 21-26 °C. The island is famous for the white sandy beaches that stretch along its shores. Guests of the island of Sal have a unique opportunity to swim in the natural pool of Burakona in the rock on the coast. The deposit of table salt, to which the island owes its name and settlement, is now used for medicinal purposes.
The Republic of Cape Verde is located in the Cape Verde archipelago, approximately 500 km west of Dakar. It consists of 18 islands. The highest point is the Fogo volcano, its height is 2829 meters. The length of the coastline is 965 kilometers. The total area of the state is 4033 square kilometers.
Capital
Praia is the capital of Cape Verde, the most populous city in the country, its economic and cultural center. On its territory there is a main port through which all exports to neighboring countries pass. However, Praia is also the largest resort with great recreational opportunities.
Population
The country is home to several ethnic groups. The majority are mulattoes, about 28% of the total population are Africans, 1% are Europeans.
Language
Portuguese is considered the official language; Creole and West African are also in great demand. In big cities and resorts, some hotel employees and employees of public places, in particular banks, speak English at an intermediate level.
Religion
About 90% of the population are Catholics, approximately 3% are Protestants, the rest of the population professes traditional ancient African beliefs.
Regions and resorts
Mostly people come here on vacation, for sea adventures. However, some cities and resorts offer interesting excursion opportunities.
Santiago is the largest island, famous for its natural landscapes and mild climate.
Sal is another popular island where all tourist routes begin. The main feature of the place is the international airport and windsurfing center located in the town of Santa Maria. Thanks to its equipment and professional approach, the center is one of the 5 best places in the world.
Sao Vicente - the largest city of Mindelo is located on this island. People come here for excursions to the preserved colonial buildings, and of course for the nightlife.
Santo Antan is the greenest corner of the entire archipelago. Here you can book numerous excursions to natural places. Hiking, beach holidays and hang gliding mainly thrive here.
Boavista is an island of beaches and dunes. Walking around the area, you can enjoy the true beauty of the desert, oases, and have a great time on the beaches.
Sao Nicolau is a small island, it is famous for the presence of the famous rock on which ancient writings have been preserved.
Santa Lucia - the length of the island is 13 kilometers, with a width of 5 kilometers, today it is the only uninhabited island in the entire archipelago. People come here for a secluded holiday, as well as for diving.
Difference in time
Kaliningrad: — 3 hours
Moscow: — 4 hours
Samara: — 5 hours
Ekaterinburg: — 6 hours
Omsk: — 7 hours
Krasnoyarsk: — 8 hours
Irkutsk: — 9 hours
Yakutsk: — 10 hours
Vladivostok: - 11 o'clock
Magadan: — 12 hours
Kamchatka: — 13 hours
Climate
The country has a tropical climate. The best time for a holiday is between June and October. At this time of year, the air temperature reaches an average of + 32 degrees, with water levels of + 26 degrees.
Visa and customs
To stay in the country of Cape Verbe, citizens of the Russian Federation require a visa. You can obtain it by contacting the country's consulate, which is located in Moscow. To do this, you will need to collect the necessary package of documents. It consists of a valid passport, a completed application form, and color photographs. In addition, you will be asked to present a hotel reservation or an invitation from relatives or friends, as well as round-trip tickets.
A tourist visa is issued for a period of six months. Documents are checked within 3 working days.
There is a second option, in which case you will receive a visa upon arrival at the airport. To do this, you need to collect the necessary package of documents, as for a regular visa, and obtain special permission from the consulate.
Customs
You can import and export currency in unlimited quantities without declaration. It is allowed to import 400 cigarettes and 2 liters of alcoholic beverages without paying duty. In addition, the import and export of food and general consumption goods for personal use is allowed. The list of prohibited items is standard; it is not allowed to transport narcotic drugs, weapons, psychotropic drugs, etc.
How to get there
There are no direct flights from Russia to Cape Verde. The best option is a flight from Moscow to Lisbon. From there you will need to change trains all the way to Sal. In addition, convenient connecting flights are offered by airlines that fly through Madrid, Paris, and Frankfurt. The approximate flight time excluding transfers is 9 hours.
Excursions
Praia Island
Sao Vicente Island
Espargos
Boavista Island
Sal Island
During the excursion you will be able to visit interesting architectural places, as well as a large number of natural sites.
Transport
A cheap and popular form of public transport is the minibus. It does not have a clear schedule; it departs only after it is completely filled with passengers.
Taxi
If desired, you can use a taxi service. The price should be agreed upon in advance. A taxi can be ordered for one trip or for the whole day.
Intercity transport
Local airlines fly between the two large islands of Sal and Santiago. You can get to other resorts by ferry or boat.
Car rental in Cape Verde
Tourists are allowed to rent a car; to do this, they need to have an international driver's license, a new Russian license, and a credit card. In this case, the driver must be over 21 years old and have at least 1 year of driving experience.
Connection
The main cellular operator is Cabo Verde Telecom. It operates on the basis of the GSM 900 standard. Russian subscribers of MTS and Megafon can use Thuraya satellite communications.
You can buy a SIM card at any office or at the airport.
Internet
Things are bad with the Internet; Russian operators do not have GPRS roaming. Network access only works in large hotels, hotels, and business centers.
Money
The official currency is the Cape Verdean escudo. Currency exchange offices operate at the airport and in hotels. However, banks offer more favorable exchange conditions. They are open Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00, some of them are open on Saturdays until 12:00. You should not change the entire amount, since a reverse exchange service is not provided here.
Only large hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards.
How much money to take with you
Each tourist decides how much money to take with him independently, based on his habits and preferences. We offer a price table for the most popular expense items, based on 2017 data.
How to avoid problems
Cape Verde is a relatively safe country; all tourist regions enjoy a calm environment. However, there are several rules that should be followed to avoid disturbing your peaceful rest.
Do not drink tap water; it is advisable to buy water in plastic bottles. In addition, do not use ice, as it may also contain pathogens.
Use dairy products with caution.
Rinse fruits and vegetables with boiled water.
Big cities
Praia is the capital of Cape Verde
Mindelo is the second largest city in the country.
Shopping
After an exciting holiday in Cape Verde, you can buy interesting souvenirs for family and friends. Various products of local craftsmen are very popular. These include clay figurines, straw baskets, and ceramic products.
Kitchen
The national cuisine of Cape Verde is simple, there are no frills or delicacies in it, but this is precisely the highlight. Here you can taste simple but delicious dishes. Seafood is very popular. In restaurants you can order lobster, tuna, sawfish, sea bass, or taste barnacles and octopus. The national food is “cachupa”; in addition, the inhabitants of each island prepare it in their own way.
Entertainment and attractions
Fogo is the most popular island of the archipelago
Sal is the sunniest island. Thanks to the amazing climate, you can relax here throughout the year.
Palmeira is one of the interesting ports of the island of Sal. On its territory there are many underwater caves and reefs, so this place is appreciated among diving enthusiasts.
Verde Santa Maria is a resort town located on the island of Sal.
Praia is the capital of the state, here you can visit interesting architectural complexes from the colonial period.
Sal Rei - invites tourists to plunge into the atmosphere of African exoticism.
Mindelo - best beaches and luxurious nightlife.
Holidays and Events
February - Ash Wednesday (first day of Lent for Catholics)
March-April – Good Friday
The Republic of Cape Verde was formerly known as Cape Verde.
general information
Sal is considered the most ancient island of the archipelago. According to scientists, it is of volcanic origin and formed approximately 50 million years ago. In the Middle Ages, the Moors came to the island for salt, and the Portuguese discovered Sal in 1460. For several centuries, Europeans were unable to populate the island territory due to the arid climate, so they only grazed cattle in its valleys. In the 30s of the 19th century, deposits of table salt were discovered in the crater of an extinct volcano. This contributed to the colonization of the island. Residents mined salt and sold it to Brazil and African countries.
Nowadays, the island of Sal has a well-developed tourism infrastructure. This is evidenced by the fact that more than half of all guests of the Republic of Cape Verde spend their holidays here. Excellent natural conditions have made Sal an attractive destination for divers, boat lovers, surfers, windsurfers and kite surfers.
Boat trips along the coast are popular on the island. While traveling on yachts and catamarans, you can see interesting places, swim in the open sea, enjoy snorkeling and sea fishing. For lovers of the underwater world, excursions on boats with a transparent bottom are organized. Fans of educational tourism go to the ruins of the Oásis de Algodoeiro fortress, which the Portuguese military erected during the development of the island of Sal. Many tourists visit the small town of Santa Maria.
Diving on the island of Sal
There are several large diving centers on Sal Island that teach beginners, rent out equipment, and organize night dives and underwater safaris for experienced divers. Suffice it to say that there are more than thirty interesting dive sites near Sal.
Most of the divers visit the Blue Room, the Palmiera site, the Buracona cave and the Ponta do Farol reef. In addition, there are three dive sites near the coast of the island, where sunken ships rest at depths accessible to beginners.
Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing
Fans of active holidays choose the island of Sal because there is a steady ocean breeze blowing here throughout the year. There are six large surfing centers on the island that train beginners and rent out modern equipment. Each center has a professional rescue service.
Most athletes visit Ponta Prete. When there is a swell from the west, high waves rise here. True, the coast near Ponta Prete is rocky, so only experienced athletes are advised to ride on this spot.
Windsurfers and kitesurfers have long mastered the coast near Santa Maria. The coast of the city has the shape of a large horseshoe; in its center the water is always calm, so beginners train here. Along the edges of the bay, which extend into the open ocean, conditions are more difficult, and these places are chosen by experienced surfers who can handle large waves.
Not far from Santa Maria there is a simple Albatross spot. It is characterized by a stable side wind, which creates low waves. But if you ride far from the coast, you can become a victim of large waves, wind breaks and strong ocean currents.
Many kitesurfers try to surf the Salinas spot. The wide beach, lack of strong currents, stable winds and coral reef make the sport a great place to learn for beginners. Those who are not yet too confident in their abilities also choose the Canoa spot, located in the south of the island of Sal. There are no strong winds in the cozy bay, and beginners can easily glide along small, safe waves. During the mating season, humpback whales gather here, so the bay has the status of a marine reserve.
Hotel deals
How to get there
Travelers from Russia get to Amilcar Cabral International Airport on the island of Sal only after making a transfer. Tourists fly from Moscow to Sal in approximately 9 hours with a transfer in Lisbon, Madrid, Paris or Frankfurt. The main air harbor is located 2 km from Espargos, the capital of the island.
Useful tips
- A visa is issued for Sal on arrival. Price: 25 euros.
- Vaccinations are optional. This is not continental Africa. Although... we diagnosed for hepatitis and yellow fever. To sleep better.
- The price of a taxi from the airport to Santa Maria is 1000 escudos per car. There is no bargaining.
- The rate at the bank: 1 euro = 108 escudos, but for convenience everywhere in stores it is equal to 1: 100. Euros are also accepted.
- During low season (April-October) do not book accommodation in advance. There is a lot of it - and for any wallet thickness. From sophisticated two-level apartments with a private pool to modest but clean ones. For example, we rented a two-room apartment with a kitchen for four for 7 euros per day per person (including utilities). Negotiate payment for electricity and water “on shore” - as a rule, an invoice for them is issued upon eviction. Save water - it is expensive (13 euros 1 cubic meter).
- Car rental - 40-50 euros per day. For registration, ordinary Russian rights are sufficient. Deposit 200 euros. If you plan to travel everywhere, and not just on asphalt roads, take a jeep. Unlimited finances - ATV (70 euros per day).
- Internet. All the reports before our trip were full of information that the World Wide Web in Cape Verde was “thin and fragile.” I declare with authority that this is not so! If you take a laptop with you, then buy a 3G USB modem for 12 euros. It can be purchased at any major store or telephone company office. For example, CVTelecom (CVmovel). Conditional unlimited Internet with 3 GB traffic costs an additional 9 euros. By the way, this volume could not be pumped out even after 2 weeks of intensive use (mail, uploading/downloading photos, online reporting, 10-20 favorite sites). If you need Internet in your smartphone, then it is enough to purchase a SIM card from a local operator for a symbolic 2 euros, which will already be on your account, and for 9 euros 3G Internet with 3 GB will “settle” in your phone. It is better to set the settings at the telephone company office. True, after the “ritual dances with a tambourine,” the Internet appeared not in the promised 15 minutes, but only two days later. Although... this is Africa! No stress... According to a company employee, the coverage on the nine inhabited islands is 94% of the area. We drove across five of them. 3G is only available in big cities. Once you move away from them into the mountains, you will only have EDGE or even GPRS. But this is quite enough to find out the euro exchange rate, look at a new photo of a classmate and upload a fresh photo of a volcano.
- Restaurants. The average bill in Santa Maria is 18-20 euros for two. We recommend two. The first is a surfer bar on the beach (far left when facing the ocean). The owner is a world champion. Delicious pizza (600-800 escudos), pasta with shrimp (1000), tuna steak with side dish (1000), 0.5 liters of beer (300), glass of wine (200). The second one, the Pastis restaurant, is located on the main street of the city (Rua Amilcar Cabral, 5). Farewell dinner - only there! A little more expensive than its neighbors (for example, lobster with a side dish is 2700 escudos), but the atmosphere!!! The owner is Italian Herbert, he understands (but does not speak) Russian, and will surround you with care and attention. And according to Russian tradition, he will even pour it on the road.