Visiting Cape Verde

09/11/2026

🌞 Monday… a new week, a fresh start and new beginnings in the air. 🇨🇻

There’s something about Cape Verde that makes you feel anything is possible.

Perhaps it’s the endless horizon, the ocean breeze, the slower pace of life… or simply being somewhere that reminds you to take a breath, look around and enjoy where you are.

Every new week brings the chance to try something different, discover somewhere new, meet new people or perhaps just make a little more time for yourself.

And sometimes, a new beginning doesn’t need a grand plan. It can start with a change of scenery, a little sunshine and a willingness to see where the journey takes you. ❤️

So here’s to a new week, new opportunities and whatever adventures lie ahead.

Happy Monday from Cape Verde! 🌴☀️

What does this new week have in store for you?

02/11/2026

🌴 Hello November… and a little Cape Verdean tradition 🇨🇻

Did you know that 1 November is an important date in the Cape Verdean calendar?

Known as Dia de Todos os Santos (All Saints’ Day), it is a recognised public holiday and an important day in the Catholic calendar. It’s a time associated with faith, family and remembering those who came before us.

The following day, 2 November, is Dia dos Fiéis Defuntos (All Souls’ Day) — a day when families remember and honour loved ones who have passed away.

There are also traditions in Cape Verde that connect this time of year with the harvest. In some communities, the first produce of the season — particularly new maize — has a special significance, bringing families together to share the fruits of the harvest and give thanks.

It’s these little details that make Cape Verde so much more than its beautiful beaches and sunshine. Its traditions, its people, its food and its sense of community are all part of what makes these islands so special. ❤️

So, as we settle into November, here’s to another month of discovering more of this wonderful island.

Whether you’re here already, planning a visit or simply dreaming of a little sunshine… there’s always more to discover in Cape Verde. 🌞

What do you love most about Cape Verde beyond the beaches?

27/10/2026

🍽️🇨🇻 The little places are often the best places… ❤️

Today’s lunch took me away from the main tourist streets of Santa Maria and into a little, very local backstreet restaurant.

A friendly welcome from the staff, delicious, authentic Cape Verdean food and that lovely feeling of discovering somewhere that’s all about the food and the people rather than the fuss. 🥰

And the price? Well… let’s just say it’s a good reminder that you don’t need to spend a fortune to eat well in Sal! 😍

These are the little places I love sharing. The local businesses, the warm welcomes and the everyday experiences that give Cape Verde its character.

🌴 My tip? Wander a little further, be curious, try something local and support the people who make this island what it is.

Sometimes the best discoveries are just around the corner. 💛

🇨🇻 Have you found a little local gem in Santa Maria? Tell us about it below …

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CpV7JkuJi/?mibextid=wwXIfr

23/10/2026

🙌🏻 HAPPY FRIDAY YOU MADE IT !

🎨🌴 A little fresh colour in Santa Maria! 🇨🇻💙

Have you spotted the refreshed murals along Santa Maria’s main pedestrian street?

These colourful touches bring a little extra life to the town and are a lovely reminder that Santa Maria is about more than just its beautiful beaches. It’s the streets, the art, the local people and all those little details that give this place its character. ❤️

Next time you’re wandering through town, take a moment to have a look!

🇨🇻 What’s your favourite little detail about Santa Maria? Is it the street art, the colourful buildings, the music, or something else entirely?

Let’s show a little love for our island home away from home. ☀️🌴

16/10/2026

Streets of Santa Maria …..

🌴 A little slice of Santa Maria, Sal 🇨🇻☀️

Blue skies, palm trees, cobbled streets and that unmistakable island feeling… 💙

Santa Maria is so much more than its beautiful beach. Wander a little further, explore the side streets, discover local cafés and restaurants, browse the little shops and take the time to enjoy the everyday life of the island.

Some of my favourite moments here are the simplest ones — just walking around, taking it all in and seeing what you stumble across. ❤️

What do you love most about Santa Maria? And if you’re still planning your first visit, what would you most like to discover?

🌴

06/10/2026

🇨🇻 One of our favourite little places on Sal — Palmeira. But how well do you know it? 👀

🇨🇻 PALMEIRA — MORE THAN JUST A QUICK PHOTO STOP

If you’ve been to Sal, you may have visited Palmeira on an island tour.

⚓️Located on the west coast, Palmeira is home to Sal’s main commercial port, handling cargo, fuel, passengers, fishing and maritime tourism. The port is officially the island’s third-largest Cape Verdean port by freight traffic.

🐟 But alongside all that industry is a very traditional fishing community. The harbour is still used by small-scale fishing boats, and if you visit at the right time of day you can see the fishermen bringing in their catch.

🌊 And there’s something to love about Palmeira — it’s real. It’s not a resort built for tourists. It’s a working Cape Verdean village, with colourful boats, local cafés, fresh fish restaurants and people simply getting on with everyday life.

💧 There’s another fascinating piece of Sal’s infrastructure here too — the island’s desalination facilities are based around the port, which is particularly important on an island as dry as Sal.

If you’re staying in Santa Maria, Palmeira is roughly a 25–30 minute drive away, making it an easy addition to a day exploring the island.

And if you’re heading to Buracona and the Blue Eye, you’re already going in the right direction.

Our tip?

Have a wander.
Look at the boats.
Watch the harbour.
Have a coffee or some fresh fish.
Talk to the locals if you can.

And perhaps most importantly…

Spend a little money locally. ❤️

Because places like Palmeira are where you get to see the real Sal behind the resorts — and where your tourist money can go directly into the local community.

Have you visited Palmeira? What did you discover there?

06/10/2026

🇨🇻 PALMEIRA — MORE THAN JUST A QUICK PHOTO STOP

If you’ve been to Sal, you may have visited Palmeira on an island tour.

⚓️Located on the west coast, Palmeira is home to Sal’s main commercial port, handling cargo, fuel, passengers, fishing and maritime tourism. The port is officially the island’s third-largest Cape Verdean port by freight traffic.

🐟 But alongside all that industry is a very traditional fishing community. The harbour is still used by small-scale fishing boats, and if you visit at the right time of day you can see the fishermen bringing in their catch.

🌊 And there’s something to love about Palmeira — it’s real. It’s not a resort built for tourists. It’s a working Cape Verdean village, with colourful boats, local cafés, fresh fish restaurants and people simply getting on with everyday life.

💧 There’s another fascinating piece of Sal’s infrastructure here too — the island’s desalination facilities are based around the port, which is particularly important on an island as dry as Sal.

If you’re staying in Santa Maria, Palmeira is roughly a 25–30 minute drive away, making it an easy addition to a day exploring the island.

And if you’re heading to Buracona and the Blue Eye, you’re already going in the right direction.

Our tip?

Have a wander.
Look at the boats.
Watch the harbour.
Have a coffee or some fresh fish.
Talk to the locals if you can.

And perhaps most importantly…

Spend a little money locally. ❤️

Because places like Palmeira are where you get to see the real Sal behind the resorts — and where your tourist money can go directly into the local community.

Have you visited Palmeira? What did you discover there?

03/10/2026

EDIT / QUICK CLARIFICATION 🌧️🇨🇻

A quick note about the photograph I’ve used here — it is an older photograph of flooding in Santa Maria, not a photograph from the recent September 2026 flooding.

I’ve used it simply to illustrate what flooding in Santa Maria can look like, as the recent storms have produced very similar scenes in parts of the town.

The recent flooding itself is absolutely current and did occur in September 2026. The photograph is not being presented as a photograph taken during this year’s event.

Thank you to the eagle-eyed member who pointed out the date — you’re quite right, and I should have made the context of the photograph clearer in the original post. ❤️

The information in the post about the recent weather and flooding remains current. 🇨🇻

🌴 A VERY DIFFERENT SIDE OF SAL… 🌧️🇨🇻

Some of you may have seen the photographs and videos coming out of Santa Maria recently and wondered “What on earth is going on in Sal?” 😳

Yes… we’ve had some very unusual weather, including some pretty dramatic local flooding.

This photo is from Santa Maria after the recent storms — and I thought it was worth putting it into perspective for anyone planning a trip. ❤️

Sal is not normally a rainy destination. In fact, Santa Maria typically receives only around 70–95mm of rain in an entire year, depending on the climate dataset used. September is normally the wettest month, but even then we’re talking about only a few rainy days on average. 🌵☀️

So when a tropical system brings a lot of rain in a short period, the island can look very different very quickly — and the drainage simply isn’t designed for the sort of rainfall that can arrive during these exceptional events.

The good news for visitors is that these floods are generally very short-lived once the heavy rain has passed. The water can disappear surprisingly quickly and Santa Maria gets back to its usual dry, sunny self. 🌴☀️

The recent storm was certainly an unusual event, and there was some genuine local damage, so it shouldn’t be dismissed. But one dramatic photograph doesn’t mean Sal has suddenly become a rainy or flood-prone holiday destination.

If you’re visiting soon, keep an eye on the local weather while you’re here, follow any advice from the local authorities, and… perhaps don’t pack your wellies just yet! 😂

For those of us who love Sal, it’s just another reminder that even paradise occasionally has a bit of drama. ❤️🇨🇻

👇 Have you ever been caught in one of Sal’s rare rainy days? What was your experience?

15/06/2026

🌴✨ Cape Verde Through Our Eyes ✨🌴

A glimpse of Cape Verde in sketched form… where memory, culture, and beauty come together 🇨🇻

From the golden sands of the beaches 🏖️
To the rhythm and spirit of everyday island life 🌊
To the strength and legacy of icons like Cesária Évora 🎶
And the proud colours of a nation that lives in the ocean breeze ❤️💛💚

Each image tells a story… not just of a place, but of a feeling.

Cape Verde isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience, a rhythm, a soul 🌍

💬 Have you already been to Cape Verde? Or is it on your bucket list?

14/06/2026

🌴✨ Cape Verde Through Our Eyes ✨🌴

A glimpse of Cape Verde in sketched form… where memory, culture, and beauty come together 🇨🇻

From the golden sands of the beaches 🏖️
To the rhythm and spirit of everyday island life 🌊
To the strength and legacy of icons like Cesária Évora 🎶
And the proud colours of a nation that lives in the ocean breeze ❤️💛💚

Each image tells a story… not just of a place, but of a feeling.

Cape Verde isn’t just a destination—it’s an experience, a rhythm, a soul 🌍

💬 Have you already been to Cape Verde? Or is it on your bucket list … ?