Amílcar Cabral International Airport: where to stay, areas and…

The airport is about 2 km from Espargos, the administrative capital of the island of Sal, but Espargos has no reliable tourist facilities: almost all visitors sleep in Santa Maria, the beach town 17-20 km further south, reached in 20-25 minutes by taxi, private shuttle or rental car along the road that crosses the island. There are no trains or direct tourist buses from the terminal.

Santa Maria

Nearby town · 17-20 km from the airport, 20-25 minutes by car or taxi; no direct train or tourist bus.

Best for: Those who want the beach, windsurfing and kitesurfing, and the island's tourist restaurants.

Pros

Santa Maria beach, among the most famous in Cape Verde for kitesurfing and windsurfing, just steps from the hotels
The pier and the pedestrian centre of town offer the widest choice of restaurants on the island

Cons

No direct train or tourist bus from the airport: the only way is by taxi, private shuttle or rental car
In high season (December-March) room prices rise noticeably

Recommended hotels in this area

Hilton Cabo Verde Sal Resort: By the sea 5 minutes by car from Santa Maria's main square; eforea spa, casino and four restaurants serving local and international cuisine, opened in 2022 as the country's first Hilton.
2Bed-Vila-Verde Sal Cape Verde-Balcony-Pool: Two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen in the Água Hotels Vila Verde complex, about 2 km from Santa Maria with a free shuttle to the beach and the centre several times a day.

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