Boa Vista - the pearl of the Cape Verde islands
Boa Vista is the third largest island in Cape Verde with an area of 620 km². It is 31 km from north to south and 29 km from east to west. The island of Boa Vista impresses above all with its 55 km of sandy beaches, the turquoise blue sea and the magnificent dune landscapes – simply pure, unspoilt nature. A holiday on Boa Vista is pure relaxation. The island motto „No Stress“ is your constant companion. Immerse yourself in the Cape Verdean culture. Experience the warmth of the Cape Verdeans and let yourself be infected by their zest for life. Savour delicious food with a Cape Verdean „Strela“ or a tasty cocktail. You won’t find any architectural masterpieces or shopping malls on Boa Vista. Nevertheless, there is plenty to discover, because what could be more beautiful than our nature? Browse through our tour offers – you are sure to find the right experience for you.
The weather
The sun shines 350 days a year on Boa Vista. On average, you can always expect 25-30° C and there is always a breeze. In the months from December to April, the wind is usually stronger and can also be cooler. You will then need a thin jacket for the evenings. From May onwards, the evenings and nights become a little cooler. During the rainy season, it usually hardly cools down at night. The official rainy season is from August to October. However, it usually only rains very few days during this time. When it does rain, it is usually short, heavy showers. During these there is some cooling, but then it gets hotter. From July onwards, it can be a little cloudier – but it still remains very warm.
The sun
As already mentioned: the sun shines 350 days a year. Sometimes it’s a little cloudy in the morning, but don’t let that fool you. We are only 900 kilometres from the equator – so the UV radiation here is very strong. Even if it is cloudy, we recommend using sun cream. To start with, you should actually plan on using a cream with SPF 50. If you are planning a longer walk on the beach, make sure you pack sun cream with you. And don’t forget sun cream for your lips. The same also applies when you go on tour with us.
The sea
The Cape Verde islands are located in the middle of the North Atlantic – so you have to expect big waves and strong currents on many beaches. The calmest sea is on the outskirts of the city at „Praia do Estoril“. This beach is protected by the offshore island and is therefore ideal for swimming all year round. The hotels RIU Karamboa, RIU Palace, VOI Hotel, Royal Horizon and the TUI Magic Life, which is currently under construction, are located in the bay of Chaves. From July to September, the sea here is usually relatively calm, so that the green and yellow flags predominate. In the other months, it usually alternates between yellow and red flags. The RIU Touareg is located in a secluded spot on Praia de Lacaco in the south of the island – here the red flag is flying all but a few days a year. Nevertheless, you can still go swimming there, but you must always be prepared for high waves and strong currents. The water temperature is at its lowest in February/March at around 20°. It then gets warmer in the following months until the temperature can reach up to 28° in August, September and October.
The people
Cape Verdeans are known for their warmth and friendliness. A friendly „Bom Dia“ from them will never go unanswered. The native language of the Cape Verdeans is Creole – a mixture of Portuguese and African influences – just like the people themselves. The official language is Portuguese. However, especially in the hotels, many employees now speak English and sometimes you will even come across some German.
The catering trade
On Boa Vista you will find plenty of restaurants, beach clubs and small bars. You will find fresh fish on every menu. But „meat eaters“ will also get their money’s worth. Of course, vegetarian and vegan dishes are also on offer. There are the typical small Cape Verdean restaurants where you can find daily specials starting at 450 Esucodos. In the more touristy restaurants, the prices are somewhat higher, but still within the normal range. The Cape Verdean beer „Strela“ or „Strela Kriola“ is served in a fairly manageable size: 0.25 litres – ideal for always having a cold beer in your hand given the outside temperatures here. Be sure to try the Cape Verdean „medicine“: grogue – a sugar cane schnapps that is produced on various islands.
The currency
Our currency here is the Cape Verdean escudo. It is pegged to the euro and therefore always remains equal in value to 1 euro = 110.265 escudos. To make the maths easier, simply calculate 1:100, which is also the so-called „street rate“. Due to the stable value, you can pay with the euro throughout the island. Please note the following: all prices that are labelled in escudos and paid in euros are calculated at 1:100. So a beer for 150 escudos costs 1.50 euros. If prices are labelled in euros (at some souvenir dealers) but you want to pay in escudos, the price will be converted at 1:110. So a souvenir for 5 euros will cost 550 escudos. If you are staying in a flat in the city, then it is definitely worth exchanging money, as you will otherwise always pay an average of 10% more when you visit restaurants and go shopping.
Mosquitoes & Co
Mosquitoes are present practically all year round. In the months of July to October, an increased occurrence can be expected (due to rain and higher humidity). However, you can expect them all year round, especially in the heavily overgrown hotel complexes. Our TIP: No matter when you are here, take a small bottle of mosquito repellent with you – if you don’t need it, the locals will be happy if you leave it here. You don’t need to buy a special product, the products available in chemists work very well. Unfortunately, the climate here also favours the existence of cockroaches. If you encounter one, it has nothing to do with a lack of cleanliness or hygiene. So be a little lenient with your hotel – they will do everything they can to minimise the number of animals.
Water sports
The constant wind here naturally provides excellent conditions for various water sports: surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing. But divers also get their money’s worth, even if you often have to reckon with strong currents and poor visibility. The following options are available for water sports enthusiasts: You will find a Scuba Caribe base at each of the RIU hotels. They offer diving and snorkelling trips. There is a surf kite school at the VOI Hotel, which also offers snorkelling trips. At Praia do Estoril (on the outskirts of Sal Rei) there is the Cape Verdean surf kite school Kite Kriol. It is open all year round and English is spoken. There is also the surf kite school Planet all Sports. It is open from November to April and also offers lessons in German.