Hotels
The best hotels in Cape Verde: seven places to stay on Sal and Boa Vista
On the pier at Santa Maria on Sal, the fishermen come in early in the afternoon, and the catch of tuna and wahoo is cleaned on planks right there while children leap into the water from the edge. Drifting from a beach bar is morna, the slow, melancholy music the islands are known for. Cape Verde is winter sun with an African rhythm and an unhurried pace all of its own.
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Cape Verde is an archipelago of ten islands in the Atlantic, about 500 kilometres west of Senegal, and was a Portuguese colony until 1975. The islands are very different: Sal and Boa Vista are flat, with long sandy beaches and desert landscapes, while Santo Antão and Fogo have mountains, valleys and an active volcano. Most holidaymakers stay on Sal or Boa Vista, around six hours' flight from the UK.
There is sunshine almost all year, and temperatures vary little between summer and winter, but it is often windy, especially in winter. That makes the islands popular for kitesurfing and surfing, though the sea can be rough. Many hotels are all-inclusive, because there is little else around them. We have chosen five hotels on Sal and two on Boa Vista, and explain who each one suits. Links go to Hotels.com, and we always choose the hotel before the link.
In short: where to stay in Cape Verde
For a small town with restaurants, bars and life right outside your hotel, stay in or near Santa Maria on Sal. For big all-inclusive resorts, long empty beaches and more peace, Boa Vista is best. Both islands have direct flights from the UK in winter.
Our first choice: Hilton Cabo Verde Sal. Check availability and prices
Best for romance: Robinson Cabo Verde
Best for families: VOI Praia de Chaves
Best for a first visit: Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
Best for value: Hotel Morabeza
How to choose a hotel in Cape Verde
Sal or Boa Vista: Sal has the town of Santa Maria with restaurants and life, Boa Vista has more calm and bigger resorts far from everything.
Wind and waves: it is often breezy and the sea can have strong currents. Follow the beach flags, and choose a hotel with a good pool area.
All-inclusive makes sense: many hotels stand alone on the coast. In Santa Maria, half board and eating out works well.
Turtle season: from July to October sea turtles nest on the beaches, especially on Boa Vista. Join an organised tour to see them, and keep lights off on the beach at night.
Check entry rules: pre-registration and an airport fee are required. Check the current rules before you travel.
A short list on purpose: the resorts on Sal and Boa Vista vary a lot, so we have kept the list short and picked the places we would choose ourselves.
The beach
The beach at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal.
Sal: Santa Maria and the beach
Sal is the most visited island, with its airport in the middle and the town of Santa Maria at the southern tip, curving around a long sandy beach. Most hotels, restaurants and bars are here, and it is easy to get around on foot.
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal: right by Santa Maria
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort stands on the beach close to Santa Maria, with large pools, a spa and modern rooms, many with sea views.
It makes an easy first choice, with the beach outside and the town on foot, so you can choose between the hotel and Santa Maria's restaurants. It is a good fit for couples and families. It is not all-inclusive, which makes it easier to eat out at the town's fish restaurants. The beach is often windy, but the pool area is sheltered.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
The pool
The pool at Morabeza.
Morabeza: a classic in the middle of town
Hotel Morabeza stands right on the beach in the middle of Santa Maria, with gardens, a pool and a long history as one of the island's first hotels. Rooms are simple and bright.
This is our value pick, placing you in town and on the beach with good service at a sensible price. It works best for couples who want life and restaurants outside the door and like a hotel with soul. The style is classic rather than modern. The pier, the fishermen and the bars of Santa Maria are minutes away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Hotel Morabeza
From the air
Robinson Cabo Verde from the air.
Robinson Cabo Verde: adults only near Santa Maria
Robinson Cabo Verde stands close to the beach at Santa Maria and is adults-only. The club hotel has a spa, three restaurants, a beach bar and a big activity programme with sailing, windsurfing, Pilates and fitness, all included.
It is our romantic pick, because you get peace without a children's pool, a beach within walking distance and enough to do that no two days feel the same. It suits couples and friends who want to be active by day and calm in the evening. The atmosphere is sociable, as Robinson clubs are known for, so it is not for anyone who wants to keep entirely to themselves.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Robinson Cabo Verde
The pool
The pool at Riu Funana.
Riu Funana: big and complete on the beach
Hotel Riu Funana stands on the beach west of Santa Maria, with two outdoor pools, a children's pool, a pool bar, a spa and four restaurants, all included. It shares its grounds with its sister hotel, Riu Garopa.
It suits families and friends who want a big resort with plenty of choice and the beach right outside. It is a safe pick for a first trip to Cape Verde. It is large and can feel busy in school holidays, and the centre of Santa Maria is a taxi ride or a long beach walk away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Riu Funana
The lobby
The lobby at Riu Palace Santa Maria.
Riu Palace Santa Maria: all-inclusive on the beach
Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria stands on the beach west of town, with large pools, all-inclusive dining and modern rooms.
It is right for travellers who want all-inclusive with plenty of space and Santa Maria close by. It works for couples and families. It is a big hotel with many guests, so not for anyone after a small, personal place, but the beach path reaches Santa Maria in half an hour.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Riu Palace Santa Maria
From the air
VOI Praia de Chaves from the air.
Boa Vista: dunes and long beaches
Boa Vista is bigger and emptier than Sal, with sand dunes, the Viana desert and some of the longest and finest beaches in the Atlantic. Most hotels stand alone along the coast.
VOI Praia de Chaves: a family resort on the long beach
VOI Praia de Chaves Resort stands on Praia de Chaves, one of the longest and finest beaches on Boa Vista, with dunes behind and the Atlantic in front. It has a pool with a bar, a beach bar, a spa, three restaurants with children's menus and evening entertainment, all included.
It is our family pick on Boa Vista, because children get beach, pool and activities while adults get peace in an area with little traffic. It also suits couples who love long beach walks. The wind can be strong, and the sea has waves and currents, so check the flags before swimming.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at VOI Praia de Chaves
The pool
The pool at Riu Palace Boavista.
Riu Palace Boavista: a palace on the Atlantic
Hotel Riu Palace Boavista stands alone on a long beach on Boa Vista, with several pools, two swim-up bars, a spa and four restaurants, all included. In the evenings there are concerts and shows.
It suits couples and families who want a big, comfortable hotel with high standards and are happy to stay on site. It is a good choice for windsurfing, surfing and long beach walks. It is isolated, so trips to the Viana desert and the villages need to be booked. The beach is long and open, and the wind can be strong.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Riu Palace Boavista
When to book
Winter: November to April is high season for winter sun, with sunshine and steady warmth. Christmas and February half-term fill early.
Summer and autumn: July to October is warmer and more humid, with turtle nesting season on the beaches.
Wind: December to March is the windiest period, great for kitesurfing but cool on the beach.
Our first choice in Cape Verde
Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
We recommend the Hilton Cabo Verde Sal because the beach is right outside and Santa Maria is within walking distance. The resort has large pools, a spa and modern rooms, many with sea views. It is not all-inclusive, which makes it easy to eat out at the town's fish restaurants on some evenings.
Hotels in Cape Verde: frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to stay in Cape Verde?
Sal for the town of Santa Maria and life around your hotel, Boa Vista for big resorts and long, empty beaches. Both have direct flights from the UK in winter. Sal has more restaurants and a shorter transfer from the airport, Boa Vista more space and calm.
Is Cape Verde warm in winter?
Yes, with sunshine and steady warmth all winter, though the wind can make the beach feel cool. Pack a light jacket for evenings. Daytime temperatures are around 25 degrees, and the sea is warm enough to swim even in midwinter. The wind makes Sal popular with surfers.
Do you need a visa for Cape Verde?
UK visitors must pre-register online and pay an airport fee. Check the current rules before you travel. Registration is done online well before departure, and the fee is paid at the same time. Keep the receipt on your phone or on paper, and check your passport is valid long enough.
Which island is best for families?
Both work, but Boa Vista has the largest family resorts and Sal has more to do outside the hotel. Take care with the waves, which can be strong for small children. Choose a hotel with its own children’s pool and kids club, so you have a safe alternative to the sea.
Can you see sea turtles in Cape Verde?
Yes, from July to October sea turtles nest on the beaches, especially on Boa Vista and Sal. Hatching happens later in the autumn. Join a guided walk with local conservation groups so you do not disturb the nests, keep your distance and switch off torches on the beach at night.