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Cape Verde Information

The Portuguese discovered Cape Verde in 1456 and founded the first European town in the tropics - Ribeira Grande. Therefore, Cape Verdean culture is a true mix of Portuguese / European and African. The Portuguese influence of over four hundred years can still be seen in the lifestyle, architecture and culture of the Islands, combined with elements of African culture in the music, literature and arts.

The island’s location originally made them a perfect stop-over for the ships carrying water, coal and livestock. Eventually as the aeroplane replaced shipping, Cape Verde opened its first international airport on Sal in 1948.

Cape Verde gained independence from Portugal in 1975 and today it enjoys a fast growing economy and a stable political structure. Whilst the government imposes strict guidelines on development to preserve the Islands unique character, they actively encourage tourists and progress and growth.

Like many Island cultures, seafood plays a big part in the Cape Verdean cuisine. Local specialities include: swordfish, tuna, cuttlefish, mussels, shrimp and moray eel.

The Islands have their own vineyards producing both red and white wine. Another local speciality is a sugar cane liquor.

Due to the endless tropical sunshine, white sand beaches and lack of hurricanes or even a true "low season" for holiday makers, the beautiful islands of Cape Verde are often described as the ‘Caribbean for Europe’. 

Sal Island

Sal belongs to the northern group of islands within Cape Verde, called Barlavento, which also includes Boa Vista and Maio. There are over 8km of white sandy beaches on Sal, which is impressive considering it is just 30km long by 12km wide. It has undergone a period of massive investment in resorts, marinas, commercial centres and other tourism attracting improvements, meaning a continuous increase in the number of visitors each year. It now accounts for 69% of the rental market on Cape Verde.

The main tourist resort is the town of Santa Maria in the south which has an excellent choice of shops, bars and restaurants around the charming town square. Dunas Beach Resort is just a couple of minutes from Santa Maria and is set amongst the wonderful white sands of Pronta Preta beach which has been reserved for only the highest quality developments.