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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.

The pier and beach at Santa Maria on Sal in Cape Verde with turquoise water

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.

Picolo picks

The beach at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal.

Sal

1. 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.

Check availability and prices at Hilton Cabo Verde Sal
The pool at Morabeza.

Sal

2. 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.

Check availability and prices at Hotel Morabeza
Robinson Cabo Verde from the air.

Sal

3. 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.

Check availability and prices at Robinson Cabo Verde
The pool at Riu Funana.

Sal

4. 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.

Check availability and prices at Riu Funana
The lobby at Riu Palace Santa Maria.

Sal

5. 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.

Check availability and prices at Riu Palace Santa Maria
VOI Praia de Chaves from the air.

Boa Vista

6. 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.

Check availability and prices at VOI Praia de Chaves
The pool at Riu Palace Boavista.

Boa Vista

7. 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.

Check availability and prices at Riu Palace Boavista
How Picolo chooses

Our editors pick every hotel and experience themselves, and most of them we have tried. Nobody can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Picolo earns a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.

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.

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: many of the resorts on Sal and Boa Vista get middling guest reviews. We have only included hotels rated at least 8.8 out of 10 by at least 50 guests on Hotels.com, which is why this list is shorter than most of our guides.

The areas

  • Sal: 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.

  • Boa Vista: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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