Picolo recommends · Hotel in Santa Maria, Cape Verde
Morabeza
Garden paths lead from the street down to the sand, in one of the first hotels ever built on Sal and still in the centre of Santa Maria.
Morabeza is the Creole word Cape Verdeans use for their easy warmth towards visitors, and this hotel was among the first on Sal to put it into practice. It sits in the centre of Santa Maria, with gardens between the town and the beach, and a pool set among the plants.
The rooms are plain and full of light rather than designed to impress. What you pay for is the address: the pier where fishermen land their catch is a few minutes away, and the bars and restaurants of the town start at the gate.
Picolo’s verdict
Why we chose Morabeza
It is our value pick on Sal. You get the beach and the town at once, staff who know what they are doing, and a price that leaves room for dinners out. It also has more character than the newer resorts along the coast.
Anyone looking for modern design or large, sleek rooms will find it dated. The style is classic, and the evening life of the town is right outside, so this is not the place for complete seclusion.
What you get
- Beach in the middle of town
- Gardens between town and sea
- Pool among the plants
- Simple, bright rooms
- Experienced, attentive staff
A day at Morabeza
- Morning
- Breakfast in the garden while the town is still waking up.
- Midday
- The pier, where the fishing boats come in with the day's catch.
- Afternoon
- A swim in the sea straight from the hotel's stretch of beach.
- Evening
- A drink in one of the bars a few streets away.
Location
Santa Maria, Sal, Cape Verde
Open in MapsQuestions about Morabeza
Is Hotel Morabeza in the centre of Santa Maria?
Yes. It sits in the middle of town, with the beach on one side and streets of restaurants and bars on the other. The pier is a short walk away.
What are the rooms like at Hotel Morabeza?
Simple and bright, with a classic rather than modern style. The hotel puts its effort into location, gardens and service more than into interior design.
Is Hotel Morabeza a good choice for families?
It works best for couples who want town life at the door. Families can stay, but those after big pool areas and facilities for children will find more at the larger resorts west of town.
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Updated 6 Nov 2026All articles
How Picolo chooses
Our editors pick every hotel themselves, and most of them we have stayed at. No hotel can pay to be included or ranked higher. When you book through our links, Hotels.com pays Picolo a small commission. It never changes the price you pay, and it never decides what we write.
