Things to do in Boa Vista

Top Things to Do in Boa Vista - Boa Vista Must-See Attractions

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Things to Do in Boa Vista

Check out must-see sights and activities:
Santa Monica Beach, Praia de Chaves, Nature and Wildlife Tours, Beaches.
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Top Attractions in Boa Vista

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Historical museum with three floors of exhibits detailing the archipelago's past, culture, and artwork. Rooftop cafe and live music on Friday nights add to the ambiance.
This attraction description was created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for this description. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in this AI-generated description is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
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What travellers are saying

  • Mats Pahnke
    Eindhoven, The Netherlands570 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful white beach, which has a massive cosstline. The part of the beach we went to was totally untouched, no hotels or bars nearby. Definitely worth the visit now that the beach is still untouched.
    Written 11 August 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Jenny M
    Wendover, UK60 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Having read the reviews before we went we were a bit dubious as previously we had stayed at the Rui Touareg on the south of the Island which was very good but so much bigger and more like a factory!

    This hotel is much smaller and Italian run so most of the people were Portuguese, Italian or German. English is definitely not the second language.

    We could not fault it at all. In fact although I would not rate it as 5 star, it was clean, very friendly and the food and scenery were fantastic.

    We paid extra for a sea view which was well worth it and amazing to sit and watch the sunset on the balcony with a G&T .

    People complained about the distance to the restaurant but we were almost the furthest block and it was about a 3 minute walk. The Rui hotels on the Island are far bigger and our walk last year was at least 10 minutes. It is not really suitable if you can’t do stairs or slopes .

    The restaurant had themed evenings, canapés were served outside with live music each night outside the restaurant.
    There was always plenty of choice and also an Al a carte restaurant which you paid extra for but we never felt the need to use.

    There was always a sun bed on the beach or beside the pool available despite it being half term week.

    For €12 each you can use the spa for 2 hours where they have a swim up pool which goes outside, a jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. We spent a couple of hours there and were the only ones!

    The little boutique shops around the complex were good to look around too and cheaper than the stalls on the beach.

    About half a mile to the right along the beach beside the chimney was an amazing bar and restaurant which we used a few times. You can rent a sun bed there for €2.50 for the day. They do fantastic cocktails & food and generally when it was very windy on the hotel beach we would walk along and it was tucked.
    out of the wind.

    We will definitely recommend
    Written 25 February 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • James7787
    Derby, UK137 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Excellent beach white sand clear waters. The beach is vast, with a cafe at the far end of you need a drink. Local companies do tours to visit in quads or jeeps if you prefer
    Written 15 November 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Andy M
    Villach, Austria53 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    An adventurous drive/walk through a small but beautiful sand dune area. Not far from Rabil and only 30 min from Sal Rei the Viana desert is a wonderful way to spend a few hours wandering through sand dunes, a la Lawrence of Arabia. Driving independently allows you to experience 4X4 excitement as you approach a hilltop to park. Walking around the dunes, running down to soft sides and just 'zenning' by sitting alone at the top of the highest dune is an ethereal feeling. The desert is about 1km X 5km in size and depending on the time of the year can be hot and of course dry. Depending on your fitness and condition take at least a hat, a litre of water and sunscreen if you're light skinned. Be prepared to get sand in 'all the wrong places' but have fun doing so. I'd recommend avoiding the large groups surfboarding down the dunes hooting and hollering simply because the experience is best enjoyed by walking up and own and around the magnificent sand dunes. The tour groups rarely go to the other side so if you want the place to yourself arrive early or late (the best time) and take the 30 min or so to traverse the dunes to the inside where you can see beyond. It is also the highest point. There are no slithering critters so no worries. It's a photographers dream for dramatic (sunset) photos or slo-mo action sequences striding down the sand dune.

    Do not drive from the visitors centre to the dunes independently without the correct vehicle and experience in soft sand. I learned how to drive in soft sand with proper equipment and training while living in the Middle East but most people should take a tour to here. They use specialized vehicles with experienced driver/guides who can call someone if they get stuck (they rarely do). Highly recommended for a 2 hour stop before heading south to Santa Monica beach, the largest and most beautiful beach in Cabo Verde or north through the scrub brush on a narrow winding road eventually coming to the second most beautiful beach in Cabo Verde where the ship wreck is found; yet another great off-road drive that is perhaps best done in a group in 4X4s or quad bikes. Caution: independent drivers going north through the scrub brush outside of town may mean encountering swampy areas depending on the season. It is a low lying area oftern with ponds blocking the roads. Don't try to go through ugh as it is too soft; the tour guides know this. There are many road 'tributaries' and finding a way though to the east is possible.
    Written 22 October 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • dominic
    Salford, UK6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We were totally blown away by this small beautifully designed museum. It was thoughtfully, educationally and artistically designed. Wish we had more time to enjoy the cool bar on the roof top. They do jazz Friday. 5 mins walk from harbour. A real treat. Go!!! We spent 45 mins..could easily have enjoyed spending much longer.
    Written 18 January 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Titanic69
    Grantham, UK149 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Enjoyed the history of the area and how the wreck had changed over 50 years. Needs to be tidied and people to leave less rubbish.
    Written 14 July 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • janlilly
    London, United Kingdom92 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A prefect beach to stroll along, unspoilt and pretty empty except for a few kite surfers! the sand is very soft.
    Written 10 January 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David D
    Devon, UK27,137 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sunday 14th November and we visited the Southwestern side of the Island on our Quad Zone Tour.

    Travelling along the coast we visited a number of spectacular beaches and this one was no exception. It is located between Praia de Santa Monica and Praia Varadinho.

    We zipped across the amazing dunes ending up on the beach where we parked up. We clambered up and down the massive white sand dunes ending up at the sea with it's crystal clean water and crashing waves.

    We did stop briefly, again, at a viewpoint, from here we had a panoramic view along the beach, dunes, the ocean and mountainous background.

    There are no facilities on the beach, including sunloungers and umbrellas so it remains totally unspoilt, simply beautiful.
    Written 6 January 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Forklift
    UK40 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We took a full day and a half day private trip. Both excellent value with a very informative and careful driver guide. Booked at the office in the main square in Sal Rei. Good information given prior to booking. Very pleased with the route, lunch and all stops. Highly recoment
    Written 27 February 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MJH1
    Bedfordshire, UK6,801 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Took in this little chapel as part of an ATV trip
    Literally stuck on a rocky bluff above the sea in the middle of nowhere
    Recently rebuilt and pristine
    nice little stopover and makes you think about people’s faith and how these places are built and then maintained
    Written 18 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • David D
    Devon, UK27,137 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sunday 14th November and we were on a quad bike tour of the south west region of the Island.

    We had been to visit the amazing Santa Monica Beach, our first stop, we then sped across the dunes to our next port of call which was here.

    Having been here before we did not think that we could be impressed by here again, however, when we arrived we were amazed, once more, by what we saw.

    Astounding rock formations and caves, which had been sculpted by nature and the elements over the centuries, were along the beach.

    We clambered over the rocks and walked into the caves in total amazement at these wonderful structures.

    This is another beautiful beach with white sand and turquoise sparkling sea, however the rocks and caves are the main attraction here.

    As the current and waves were not as powerful here as at Santa Monica Beach, it was possible for us to have a swim here.
    Written 19 November 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • MJH1
    Bedfordshire, UK6,801 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We used this beach most days as we’re guests at the Riu Palace Boavista
    Nice beach
    Clean and well kept
    Never busy as isolated apart from the 2 hotels
    No facilities on the beach persay
    Contrary to the previous and only other review, I can’t see hotel security allowing you to use toilets or get a drink etc unless you’re a guest - they were pretty strict in checking wrist bands etc
    Word to the wise there’s quite a strong tow / under current so don’t get out of your depth!
    Written 17 July 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
The above attraction descriptions were created by AI, using information and phrases commonly found in reviews users submitted to Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor did not create and is not responsible for any of the above hotel descriptions. Please read full traveller reviews for more details and information. If you believe something in one of these AI-generated descriptions is inaccurate, please share your feedback.
Reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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