7th December 2025
Sal, Cape Verde
Sal is an island in the archipelago of Cape Verde which is a group of island located 385 miles off the west coast of Africa.
The island of Sal is for it's fabulous white sand beaches and turquoise sea, and also a great location for water sports and snorkelling.
The busiest town on the island of Sal is Santa Maria, which is also home to most of the islands hotels that line the 5 mile long beach. The colourful town has colourful markets, artisan craft stores, lively cafes, restaurants and bars.
The hotels dotted along the beaches of Santa Maria are around 30 minutes from the international airport with TUI and Easy Jet providing holiday packages from the UK.
TUI flies to Sal from Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London Gatwick, Manchester and Newcastle. Flights are available from East Midlands until April '25.
The new Easy Jet route will see flights departing from London Gatwick from 31st March 2025.
10 reasons to book a holiday to Cape Verde
- Beautiful white sand beaches
- The island is lined with white sand beaches with turquoise sea. Praia de Santa Maria is one of the best beaches on the island and is close to where most of the main hotel resorts are located. The beach is well maintained throughout the year and there are numerous bars and restaurants along the beach front.
- Ponta Preta beach is known as the best surfing beach on Cape Verde and is located on the west coast of the island 4km away from Santa Maria, with the Riu hotels to the south and the Melia hotels to the north.
- Great location for water sports activities such as windsurfing, kayaking and snorkelling.
- Watersports are the most popular activities on the island of Sal and most of the hotels offer watersport activities either for free or at an additional cost.
- Kite surfing is particularly popular during the months of November to March with the winds hitting the island.
- Guaranteed sunshine making it a great destination for a winter escape from the UK.
- The temperatures on Sal remain fairly constant all year round with average temperatures ranging between 22c in January and 27.5c in September making it an ideal travel destination any time of the year, and in particular during the winter time in the UK.
- Fabulous resorts and hotels
- There are many 4 and 5 star all inclusive hotels on the island of Sal offering first facilities for both adults and children.
- The local cuisine, especially if you are a seafood lover.
- Cachupa is the national dish has corn as it's main ingredient along with pinto beans, pumpkin, sweet potato, tomatoes with port, cured meats or fish, as well as a vegetarian version. Caldo de peixe (gift from the sea) is a seafood based broth and Feijoada is a stew based on pinto beans with different meats and vegetables.
- Santa Maria Festival/Municipalicity Day
- Visit Sal in September for the Santa Maria Festival. The annual even includes dancing, food and drinks and takes place on the 11th & 12th September.
- Local culture of Cape Verde
- The islands have a combination of Portuguese, African and Brazilian influences with distinct blends of music, arts and crafts.
- Sailing and boat tours.
- Take a catamaran tour from Santa Maria to view the beautiful coastal scenery of the island as well as the local wildlife where you may be lucky enough to see turtles, dolphins and whales.
- Visit the Pedra de Lume Salt Crater.
- Located near the town of Esparagos, the volcanic crater is filled with salt water in which you are able to float.
- Visit the natural wonder of Buracuna.
- A rock pool of water known as the "Blue Eye". When the sun hits the pool at the right time, an optical illusion occurs making it appear like a blue eye surrounded by dark rocks.
Hotels located in Sant Maria, Sal
Most of the hotels on the island of Sal are located near to the town of Santa Maria and stretch along the 5 mile coastline. The Melia hotels are located just north of Santa Maria. Melia Tortuga Beach Resort, Melia Llana & The Level (Melia exclusive resort) are beachfront facing, while the Melia Dunas Beach Resort is set behind The Level. The Melia Dunas Beach Resort is great for families with a waterpark and three age level kids clubs, whereas Melia Llana is the adults only resort situated on the complex. Easy Jet Holidays offer a VIP option for the Melia resorts that allows access to five neighbouring hotels with access to the 24 restaurants and 26 bars and many other facilities along with access to the Bikini Beach Club.
The Riu hotels located 2km to the west of the town of Santa Maria are another great choice of hotels. The Hotel Riu Palace Santa Maria is a fabulous resort for families with a great choice of activities for all ages. There are adult only swim up bars, the Splash World Waterpark for kids along with RiuLand kids club that caters for age groups of 4 to 7 and 8 to 12. The Riu Cabo Verde is an adults only hotel with hotel entertainment taking place and the neighbouring Riu Funana which has a night club and hosts Riu Party which is a once a week themed party night.
Robinson Cabo Verde is a lively adults only hotel which specialises in water sports activities during the day with nightly entertainment include live DJ's, beach parties and dance shows.
For a quieter adults only holiday, then the TUI Blue Cabo Verde resort may be a better choice to relax wth more low key entertainment.
Hotel Moabezza is a family friendly hotel located minutes from the beach and a 10 minute walk to the town of Santa Maria. The hotel has a kids club as well as various sports activities in the day. This hotel is also a good choice for those not requiring a fully inclusive hotel and who want to dine at the local restaurants in Santa Maria and sample the local cuisine.
Melia Llana
Melia Llana is a 5 star adult only hotel located on the beachfront north of the town of Santa Maria. Either side of Melia Llana are the Melia Dunas Beach Resort ad Melia Torguga Beach Resort with the town of Santa Maria being 5 minutes away by taxi.
- Adults only, all inclusive
- Beachfront Location
- Swim up rooms
- 4 restaurants
- 4 bars
- 2 pools
- Exclusive pool for level guests
Melia Dunas Beach Resort
Melia Dunas Beach Resort is a great hotel for families and is located to the north of Santa Maria and reachable in 5 minutes by taxi. It has 3 pools for children as well as an onsite waterpark. The beach conveniently located 500m away from the hotel.
- Family friendly, all inclusive
- 4 pools
- 6 restaurants
- 8 bars
- Onsite waterpark
- Baby, kids and teens club
- Amphitheatre hosting evening entertainment
Melia Tortuga Beach Resort
Melia Tortuga Beach Resort is a family friendly hotel located overlooking Algodoeiro Beach. The resort is part of the Melia complex and has spacious rooms for families and a vast array of daytime activities both free and chargeable.
- Beachfront Location
- 4 restaurants
- 4 bars
- 2 pools
- Evening entertainment
- Mini disco for children
- Splash park at Melia Dunas Beach Resort *additional cost
TUI Blue Cabo Verde
This adults only hotel is located on the beachfront next to the Melia Llana and Melia Tortuga. Live music and local dance groups provide the entertainment and this hotel is perfect for those seeking a relaxing, quiet and childfree holiday.
- Adults only, all inclusive
- Beachfront Location
- 4 restaurants
- 3 bars
- 2 pools
- Sunbeds on an exclusively reserved area on the beach.
Hotel Rui Palace Santa Maria
This hotel is great for both adults and children and is located 2km from the town of Santa Maria on the beachfront on Ponta do Sino. Two of the pools come with an adults only swim up bar and there is Splash Water World waterpark for kids.
- Family friendly, all inclusive
- Beachfront Location
- 5 restaurants & 5 bars
- 6 pools & Splash Water World
- Live music and dancing in the evenings.
- RiuLand kids club
- Riu Party at Riu Funana
Riu Cabo Verde
This adults only hotel is located on the beachfront and is a great choice for those keen of water sports as well as relaxing. Evening entertainment takes place at the neighbouring Riu Funana's Pacha nightclub or relaxing in two of the quieter bars.
- Adults only, all inclusive
- Beachfront Location
- 4 restaurants
- 6 bars
- 2 pools
- Live shows and themed parties at Riu Funana
- Watersports activities such as kayaking and snorkelling
Robinson Cabo Verde
This adults only hotel is located on the beachfront of Praia de Santa Maria. The hotel hosts beach parties, live dance shows and DJ's. The hotel specialises in watersports activities although these do come at an additional cost.
- Adults only, all inclusive
- Beachfront Location
- 3 restaurants
- 3 bars
- 2 pools
- Gala evening once a week
- 1 mile walk from Santa Maria
Hotel Moabezza
This family friendly hotel is located around a 10 minute walk from Santa Maria and is on the beachfront. There are three pools with one adults only pool along with a private beach area, Live music twice a week.
- Family friendly
- Beachfront Location
- 3 restaurants
- 3 bars
- 3 pools
- Kids club
- 10 minute walk from Santa Maria
Please follow the link below to enquire on Cape Verde holidays
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