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Original poster

Cape Verde

25 replies

IsaacCox · 05/05/2013 08:21

Hi all, I've found a decent price for a holiday here over New Year. I was wondering if it's a nice place? It looks gorgeous. It says online that the average temp in December is 26c so that'll be lovely. All we really want to do there is relax by the pool/on the beach/pig out on the all inclusive food and drinks.

I have a stupid question though Blush is is safe to walk outside of the resort? We'd be staying on Sal.

Thanks :)

OP posts:
Original poster
IsaacCox · 05/05/2013 10:46

Anyone? :)

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bump6 · 05/05/2013 10:55

Hi, I went to Cape Verde on honeymoon..was a few years ago and I know that lots of work was being done on the island.
our hotel was just amazing, no complaints at all. It had a private beach, which has security to stop the locals selling stuff and being annoying when you are sun bathing.
as its the Atlantic the sea was quite choppy! Big waves..
We didn't venture out of hotel. But chatted to others who said it was fine to walk about.
They have sun all year, everything imported as nothing can grow!!
hope this helps. I would go back tomorrow if I could.

Graceparkhill · 05/05/2013 10:55

I don't have direct experience but I know someone who went for a fortnight to have a complete break but by week 2 was getting a bit bored.
She was on all inclusive and said everything - toiletries/ books/ clothes was mega expensive.
The weather was lovely but I don't think there was a lot to do out with the hotel complex ( maybe excursions were too expensive?)
Don't remember her saying safety was an issue and she is a v cautious person.
Someone who actually has been will come along soon!

bump6 · 05/05/2013 10:56

Oh and hotel had 4 specialty restaurants
1 main restaurant, all out of this world!!

TheWave · 05/05/2013 11:03

Another thing that we vaguely looked into before not going in the end was malaria tabs, as there seemed to be some risk but I'm not up to date on that.

Original poster
IsaacCox · 05/05/2013 11:06

Thanks for replying :)

We do normally explore the places we go to, but as we're going after Christmas, we just want a week to totally chill out.

We're looking at the ClubHotel Riu Garopa hotel, has anyone been?

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bump6 · 05/05/2013 11:11

Yes, it is just lovely.. Staff can't do enough for you.
food is fab, pool is heaven plus swim up bar.
rooms are spotless and big, good decoration.
Evening entertainment not so good(but is it anywhere)
it was done in 3 languages! But was a few years ago.
If you just want to chill out by the pool, it's perfect! That's all we did.
Magazines are exspensive to buy at hotel shop, so be sure to pack enough books,if reading is your thing.

Original poster
IsaacCox · 05/05/2013 11:14

Ooh fab. It sounds lovely. Did you have to have any jabs? What kind of food is available? I'm a bit fussy... Blush

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bump6 · 05/05/2013 11:24

I can't remember having jabs..food was a plenty for all tastes, I am not a massive meat lover and had no probs.
In main restaurant, the variety was unbelievable, breakfast.. Fry up, boiled scrambled etc, fruit( the bring round fresh fruit by pool)
Cereals toast rolls. Lunch, salads, pasta, cold meats rolls and loads else!
There was a seafood restaurant..the restaurant near the sea was a hazard for being bitten!
Others were fine.
You have to book in advance for these.
Can't think what type of restaurants the others were, will ask my hubbie if he can remember.. But they may have changed any way.

Original poster
IsaacCox · 05/05/2013 11:25

Thank you :) it sounds wonderful. I'm excited and haven't even booked yet! Grin

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bump6 · 05/05/2013 12:02

It will be blissful.. Friends went recently too, they loved it as well. Flights not too long either.

bump6 · 05/05/2013 15:41

Restaurants were. African, Chinese, seafood and a grill bar.
Hope you have a fantastic time.
Post again when you've been,we would like to go back

wigglesrock · 05/05/2013 19:59

I am almost positive that's where my sister went on honeymoon Smile They loved it - were there about 10 days. They didn't get jabs.

Original poster
IsaacCox · 05/05/2013 22:30

Ok, been looking again tonight and have found Riu Touareg to be slightly cheaper than ClubHotel Riu Garopa. Which to go for?! Which has the most food options? I can't believe that's what I'm basing it on! Blush

Help me decide please! :)

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bump6 · 06/05/2013 09:15

how funny wigglerock, I unfortunately did not go for 10 days, jealous that your sister did.
Isaaccox, I don't know other hotel.. Riu had the most amount of food me & hubbie have ever seen, been on a couple of all inclusive since and haven't seen the choice or amount again.
So with one main restaurant and 4 specialitie restaurants, I would say that, that is a lot of food:-)
how many restaurants does other hotel have?

Original poster
IsaacCox · 06/05/2013 19:06

bump6, before we book, can I just confirm that you stayed at the ClubHotel Riu Garopa and it had a private beach? It doesn't say it does online but would prefer it if it was :) Thank you Thanks

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DawnOfTheDee · 06/05/2013 19:13

We went to the Riu hotel on Boa Vista. It was lovely....staff were amazing (especially the barman who took it upon himself to try and improve my 'guide book' portugese by refusing to serve me unless i'd said it correctly!), lovely food, beaches, etc.

Me and dh went outside the hotel a few times and had some amazing food. The locals were very friendly (met one who had been to newcastle to study so his english was very good with an interesting accent) but were quite upset that more people didn't come out of the hotels. I think it's a shame too....by all means chill by the pools and bars but i think you miss out a if you don't explore just a little bit.

The temperature in Cape Verde is pretty much 26-28 degrees all year round...very consistent.

Hope you have a fab time.

bump6 · 06/05/2013 20:54

We stayed at club hotel riu funana.. Am certain that it is next to the one you are talking about! sorry I had forgotten that there were 2 next to each other. we could use both hotels. Ours most definitely had a private beach.
there was no barrier to notice going from one hotel to the other. You could use everything. This was about 6 years ago.
Might be worth calling Travel agent to confirm.,
Be sure to let us know if you book.

DangerousMouse · 06/05/2013 21:18

I'm heading off to Sal next month, we are staying at the Melia Tortuga. We did need some jabs, getting them done next week. This hotel ha all inclusive villas, private pool as well as the public ones, it looks great - check it out

wigglesrock · 07/05/2013 17:33

IsaacCox just confirmed with my sister - they stayed at the Club Hotel Riu Garopa - there was a private beach and they did get jabs. Food/restaurants fab - just double check visas - their visas were included in the holiday price but they got them separately as they didn't realise.

Original poster
IsaacCox · 07/05/2013 21:59

Hi all, just to let you know we've just booked to stay at the Riu Touareg :) So excited Grin Thanks for all the info, much appreciated Thanks

OP posts:
bump6 · 08/05/2013 09:13

Enjoy your holiday. Fabulous way to see in the new year. Be sure to let us know how hotel is

Moanranger · 14/05/2013 23:02

Hi, went to CVI 2years ago - did not do the resort thing - went to 3 islands. THEDRIESTPLACEIN THE WORLD! Do get out of the resort & go listen to the music. Very well known for "mornas" which are related to Portuguese"fado". Music in every restaurant. Locals are very poor but very nice, bear that in mind & spread the wealth. Outside hotels beware charming but persistent Senegalese pressuring you to buy tat.
I would not go back do to DRYNESS - so little moisture even weeds cannot grow - & also the worst inter-island airlines on face of earth. Glad to have experienced the culture/ music once, tho.

Coconutty · 31/05/2013 11:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

mrsspongebob · 31/05/2013 18:24

I think it is a bit like sharm with the jabs. They are recommended and I would imagine if you don't have them and contract something your insurance won't pay out.

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