Cape Verde Islands: Experience a Beautiful View in Boa Vista

A recent article offered an introduction to the Cape Verde Islands, or Cabo Verde in the local Portuguese language. Boa Vista is one of the islands, situated at the easternmost point. Meanwhile, the name Boa Vista translates to beautiful view, an apt name for the island, the third-largest in the Cape Verde archipelago. Moreover, it used to be one of the sleepiest islands until it started gaining popularity with visitors in recent years.

Boa Vista is a beautiful view in Cape Verde

As previously reported, the Cape Verde Islands form an archipelago in the shape of a pearl necklace off the coast of West Africa. One of its Barlavento, or windward islands is Boa Vista, which is characterized by some low mountain ranges, but mainly low lands consisting of deserts and beaches of sand. Meanwhile, little rain falls on the island, making it a comfortable location all year round.

Initially, Boa Vista was mostly untouched by the tourism of the other Cape Verde Islands. However, once an international airport was opened there in 2007, this drew foreign investors who built major hotels and resorts on the island. Each offered travelers an all-inclusive stay, which increased tourism to the island.

Visit Sal Rei, Boa Vista

Boa Vista’s main city is Sal Rei, which is home to more than 50 percent of the island’s 4,000 inhabitants. While the town is relatively sleepy, it is very colorful. Its main square, Praça de Santa Isabel, offers a market selling flowers and other goods. The stalls are also stocked with fruit and vegetables, colorful batiks and wooden ornaments, the perfect souvenirs for visitors.

Next to the town square is the attractive Igreja da Santa Isabel, a church constructed in the typical Portuguese colonial style, with its pretty blue baroque façade.

Visitors can head to the beach on the Avenida dos Pescadores, which also takes them to the old harbor and boatyard. Meanwhile, walking the other way, the street is lined with shady trees and quaint, brightly colored homes.

Back in the day, the Cape Verde Islands were known for salt mining and the mines are located just outside of the city. The island is famous for its original top-quality Sal Rei (or royal salt), from which the town got its name.

Beaches of Boa Vista

The island’s beaches are perfect for swimming, especially Praia de Carlota, Praia do Estoril and Praia da Chave located in the south. Moreover, another is Praia de Cabral, which is located in the north of Boa Vista. From the beaches, visitors can enjoy beautiful views of the island, as well as other Cape Verde Islands close by.

Praia de Santa Monica is another beach worth visiting in the south of Boa Vista. Moreover, it is considered to be the best in the Cape Verde Islands. On the beach is a viewpoint where the neighboring islands of São Nicolau and Maio can be seen.

If heading to the island at the right time, it is possible to see the sea turtles laying their eggs in the sand, especially on the beaches of Boa Vista, Sal and Maio. As many turtle species are endangered these days, the Turtle Foundation actively protects the turtles. Moreover, they launched a public awareness campaign to stop the theft of their eggs.

Another town to visit on the island

For those seeing a quaint, traditional feel, Povoação Velha is a worthy visit. The town was built around five centuries ago and is attractive, especially around its small town square, Praceta de Santo António. Moreover, the square is the ideal place to rest in the center of town before exploring further.

In closing, Boa Vista in the Cape Verde Islands is ideal for a sun, sand and sea vacation. The island not only offers a beautiful view, it also offers great hospitality from the friendly locals.

Readers can get a feel for the island in the Portuguese language video included here, Beautiful scenes are backed by the traditional Morna music of the islands:

Find out more about Boa Vista and the Cape Verde Islands on the official tourism website here.