Page 2 | Tell me about Cape Verde?

NewMoonPhase · 2023-01-01T09:06:34+00:00

Where's the best place to stay with kids? Best airport to fly to? What did you love there? Which is the best beach? Where was the best place to eat that you found?

Wakk · 01/01/2023 13:43

Hated it. I'll never go back. There was a brothel outside the door of our 5* hotel and it had children about 12/13 working there.

The TUI rep said oh yes. You're best off walking quickly past that to the nicer area.

Wakk · 01/01/2023 13:47

The nicer area was a public beach full of people hassling you to go to their shops. The flies were another level too.

ChristmasyCrackery · 01/01/2023 13:48

I’ve been to a few of the different islands and love it! Been to see the turtles hatching, walking with sharks, whale watching. Swimming in the sea (not the shark part!), tours around the islands to see ship wrecks, quad biking. Also usually get ‘taxis’ into the towns to go for a mooch. Not too touristy, but have always loved it there. I’m shocked by all the previous negative responses!
and just to say, I do a lot of travelling, and never do the sit in the hotel by the pool type holidays

Newusernameaug · 01/01/2023 13:50

I’d never visit again and don’t say that about many places - it was a dump

MajorCarolDanvers · 01/01/2023 13:58

If you want a really quiet rest then go there.

I found it really boring and there's nothing to do but sunbathe and I like sunbathing

Original poster

NewMoonPhase · 01/01/2023 16:59

ChristmasyCrackery · 01/01/2023 13:48

I’ve been to a few of the different islands and love it! Been to see the turtles hatching, walking with sharks, whale watching. Swimming in the sea (not the shark part!), tours around the islands to see ship wrecks, quad biking. Also usually get ‘taxis’ into the towns to go for a mooch. Not too touristy, but have always loved it there. I’m shocked by all the previous negative responses!
and just to say, I do a lot of travelling, and never do the sit in the hotel by the pool type holidays

Hmmm. These things sound really cool.
Surprised by all the negatives.
I mean, there are flys and mossies in lots of hot countries.

OP posts:

sneezums · 01/01/2023 17:22

We went to Sal and there were a couple of things to do - a quad bike tour round the island across all the sand dunes and down to some beautiful deserted beaches and then a trip to go sand surfing. But the hotel had lots going on so enough for our teenagers.

sneezums · 01/01/2023 17:23

Actually it was Boa Vista, not Sal 🤦🏽‍♀️

Hoppinggreen · 01/01/2023 17:25

NewMoonPhase · 01/01/2023 16:59

Hmmm. These things sound really cool.
Surprised by all the negatives.
I mean, there are flys and mossies in lots of hot countries.

Show quote history

We were bitten more in Spain than Cape Verde.
I did get a Centipede on my arm that was a bit scary but it didn’t bite me and we chucked it outside .
As I said, we had a great time but I have heard some negative things from other people

MajorCarolDanvers · 01/01/2023 19:24

I don't particularly remember flies and mossies. Just that it was rather dull and nothing to do outside of the hotel.

Wakk · 01/01/2023 21:57

I have been all over the world, (ex travel agent) and flies don't usually bother me. Here they were absolutely gross.

It's the only place I've ever been that I wouldnt go back to. Was honestly awful. If you do go, avoid TUI hotels.

RunningFromInsanity · 01/01/2023 22:05

I went to Boa Vista with Tui last year, beautiful but absolutely nothing to do outside the hotel.
Don't remember having a problem with flies or mosquitoes, was a bit windy but still hot.

Great for a nice relaxing holiday but probably not for children.

user58202018484482910ugog19293843910 · 01/01/2023 22:06

It's beautiful but over rated and v boring.

So glad I didn't go with the kids.

FleasNavidad · 01/01/2023 22:12

No flies or mosquitoes when we went but there's very little to do on Boa Vista. Giggling Geckos run tours there but it's pretty barren.

Enjoyed the holiday but didn't do much!

ImHavingAnOldFriendForDinner · 01/01/2023 22:14

Didn't like it at all! We went there in February 2019 and whilst the hotel was ok if a bit chavy (the guests) and the local people were friendly it was boring. The beach also had lots of flies and it was so windy you were blinded regularly by sand.

Wouldn't go back.

Coffeepot72 · 01/01/2023 22:16

We went to Boa Vista with TUI. Amazing hotel, no problems with food. We are quite happy with a fly/flop, but there was literally nothing to do unless you want a beach/pool holiday. We went at Easter, it was really hot in the day but really cold and windy at night. I have no plans to return, and I rarely say that.

TheFairyCaravan · 01/01/2023 22:17

We’ve been to Boa Vista and absolutely loved it.

We did go for a fly and flop holiday after DH came back from a 6 month tour abroad with the RAF so didn’t really want to be doing a lot. The hotel was lovely, the food was great and the beaches are stunning, although the sea is rough.

DH went out on a quad bike tour (I didn’t because I’ve got a disability). We went into the town in a taxi, yes people hassle you to buy things but they’re so poor I can’t really blame them tbh. I felt horrendously guilty that I was sleeping in such a beautiful hotel 10 minutes away while they didn’t have running water.

We didn’t have the problem of flies and mosquitoes. Maybe that’s due to the time of year that we went, which was end of March/beginning of April. I’d definitely go back, but unfortunately my back plays up so badly in an aeroplane seat and a 6hr flight is just too much for me atm.

HeatAndEat · 01/01/2023 22:17

Google Tui, Cape Verde, food poisoning

Lots of stories in the press around October time

RumNotRun · 01/01/2023 22:37

I went to Sal with my sister two years ago for November sun. It was great, we mooched around the town a few times to have a look at things for me (there was an old under cover market I think, and something else that I've forgotten). We then explored to find snorkeling/scuba sites for her, in one part they had a statue of Jesus that had been sunk so she went off to swim to that while I sat at a beach bar with a beer and my book.

We also took trips to go and paddle with lemon sharks (if you go, go with an accredited company as apparently lots of unscrupulous people set up tours and lure the sharks with food which makes them less likely to be able to catch their own food and more likely to bite) Another walk we did was to go and see turtles hatching/being rescued. Oh and a trip to float in the salt water lake.

I really enjoyed the holiday, it was the perfect mix of relaxation but with things to do as well. The trips were all chilled but that just added to the laid back feel. I usually prefer city breaks to just lounging on the beach, but I would go back to Cape Verde. Oh I didn't get bitten, or get food poisoning, or see packs of dogs. I did meet a lovely Rottweiler puppy though and spent ages cuddling her while my sister was diving 😁

NewJobNewHours · 20/04/2025 21:04

I was just thinking of holidays and came across this.

I've been to the Cape Verde islands several times and they are amazing. I think most people on have just been on a package holiday to Sal or Boa Vista islands.

Please if you go stay only a few days on these islands and move to other Cape Verde islands. Santiago has the capital Praia, fortresses, and beaches like Tarrafal. Lovely coastline and lovely local restaurants to have a beer and conch.

Mindelo (on another island) is the place to go for carnival, new year and has lovely little bars to stumble upon live music. Beautiful scenery across the island.

Fogo is a black volcanic island and probably my favourite. Beautiful painted houses, amazing black sparkly sand beaches. You can do fascinating hikes in the caldera and see houses filled with lava from recent eruptions and also try the wine made from grapes grown on the volcano.

On these less touristic islands the people are wonderful and welcoming.

Also regular jazz festivals. Also check out music of Ceseria Evora

Go, but be adventurous

This is for anyone who happens across this old thread.