Cape Verde

Any

Hi everyone,

I am currently looking at my winter sun holiday options and came across Cape Verde Islands. They sound really cool on the paper.

However, I have one worry - as it is girly holiday, I am worried that we might get hassled a lot??
When we went to Gambia we were hassled all the time (I think just because of being just girls) and as these Islands have mainly African population I am worried it might be the same? To be fair in Gambia I believe it was mainly because so many women go there just to have a bit of fun that they all take us as the same, but we didn't know that before about Gambia and I wouldn't go back without my husband due to this experience.

Anyone been to any of the Cape Verde islands and have any experience with this destination please?

Thank you

Incapuppy

There is a Cape Verde forum on Trip Advisor with lots of useful info.

Lorian

Where are you thinking of going, Sal or Boa Vista?

Keep in mind it can be REALLY windy in the winter.

I went last year.

Any

Lorian wrote: »

Where are you thinking of going, Sal or Boa Vista?

Keep in mind it can be REALLY windy in the winter.

I went last year.

Absolutely no idea yet. Which one would you recommend?

I had no idea it can be really windy in winter.. I thought it's one of the ideal winter sun destinations..

What was your experience of this destination? Did you like it? The people? The food? The culture?

Thank you

Lorian

We went to Boa Vista, which only had its first proper hotel open last year, and only one road. I'm not sure how things have progressed, but for a "girls week away" unless you want to sunbathe, in the wind, it was quite a barren island, with not much to do. I loved it becuase I did lots of wlaking, but after leaving the hotel in most directions you could walk for an hour and hardly see a soul (or buildings!). Forget shopping, the 2 or 3 shops have very high prices.

I didn't get accosted by hawkers, but a few guests did, walking a long the beach to the small town. There weren't many locals about unless you walked into town. I'm a big bloke so didn't feel intimidated, but other's might. The locals seem genuinely friendly, but a lot of labour seems to come from the main african continent.

Sal has been a tiourist destination for a lot longer, with more hotels, and I expect the exprience is very different, probably worse for being pestered. I've not been there, so not sure.

Overall I enjoyed the holiday, but it's not at all like the canaries, that'll take a few more years....(good or bad). This is the hotel I went to, and it was good in itself, all inclusive:







If you go, check with your GP for jab requirements, and take LOTS of suntan cream, and mosquito repelant, you'll need both and they cost and arm and leg when you get there. Pack your beach windbreak too, because the winter trade wind was a constant 10-15mph virtually all the time we were there, you can't see it from the pics.

socawarrior

Not sure about the other islands but Sal was absolutely lovely. We have been to places like Bali before where you are constantly getting hassled on the street and every time you walk in to a shop but Sal is nothing like that. Its quite a bit quieter and most the locals really friendly. Wouldn't say its the best place for clubbing though if that's what you are after there are only a few clubs and bars but perfect for a beach holiday. The beach has white sand and waters are calm and clear.

I went last year with my partner and some friends, 3 of which were girls and had no trouble. We stayed at a place called Villa Du Santa Maria which was in Santa Maria and about 5 min's walk from everything. I had loads of questions as i couldn't find too many reviews of the place but a lady there was really good have a look www . gotosal .com (am a newbie so cant post links yet) Price wasn't too bad either.

I would agree with Lorain about the sun tan lotion is boiling hot on Sal and not much wind! PM me if you have any questions or want some photos.. We have loads of the local area and accomodations

Any

Thank you both of you,

No, we are not looking for clubing, but few bars would be nice. We usually just down lots of coctails and spend lot of time on beach and read loads of books while on holiday.

Warrior thank you for that web page, I will have a look.

blue_haddock

If you are considering going to Sal for a girly holiday then i would advise against it - there are a handful of bars in Santa maria itself and htese wind down very early (10pm ish) You will find that in the santa maria you will get hassled a bit but not massively as there is very little there.

With regards to sunabthing on the beaqch well it is VERY windy there although it does provide a welcom,e breezer to cool you off however then you dont realise you are burning! The sea is very choppy and not really suited to swimming or snorkelling.

The main sites on Sal can be seen in half a day really and then you are out of options. I think maybe ten years ago it would have been totally different but now its like a building site and probably will be for quite some time.

I would say that for a girlie holiday its probably best avoided

Any

Thank you Blue Haddock,

Anyone has any recommendations where to go then?

We've been to Africa (Gambia) and India (Goa) already.

Kenya is coming up very expensive because once there we would do the Safari (no point of going to Kenya without the Safari).

Thank you

Voyager2002

Any wrote: »

Thank you Blue Haddock,

Anyone has any recommendations where to go then?

We've been to Africa (Gambia) and India (Goa) already.

Kenya is coming up very expensive because once there we would do the Safari (no point of going to Kenya without the Safari).

Thank you

Once in Kenya, you can organise a budget safari for much less than the ones offered to you in the UK. The animals are the same, although the accomodation is less luxurious.

Any

Thank you Voyager... I will keep that in mind... But I am more worried that the price for basic holiday is so high that we wouldn't have much spending money full stop... We booked local trips with local companies in India as well.

Another suggestion that was made to me was Cuba. But that person only "heard good things" about Cuba holidays, she's never been.

Anyone has been there?