The Republic of Cape Verde is an island country, spanning an archipelago located in the macronesia eco-region of the Central Atlantic Ocean, off the western coast of Africa, opposite Mauritania and Senegal.
Sal (which means "salt" in Portuguese, thus named due to mines de the Pedra de Lume mines) is the name of an island in the Cape Verde Archipelago, as well as a town there. The island is part of the islands in the northern archipelago, the Iles of Barlavento. The island has an area of 216km2 and is relatively flat and sandy (its high point, Monte Vermelho, is only 406m high). Sal has a warm, dry climate, with temperatures varying between 20°C and 25°C during the whole year and enjoys 350 days of sunshine per annum. The winds often come from the north-west and sand storms from the Sahara can arrive in January and February.
This island is a paradise for surfers and windsurfers.
Hotel Punta Preta, apartment (without breakfast). About Sfr. 730.-/week with sea view (without flight and transfer)
Other hotels: Odjo d'Aqua (www.odjodagua.net), Hotel NHA Terra, Hotel Sab Sab
Visa formalities : Sfr. 30.- per person (to pay before departure, but you will receive it upon arrival in Sal)
Comment: Allow at least 2 hours between your flights. If you miss your connecting flight, you will have to stay in Lisbon for 24h!
Santa Maria : Morabeza hotel (www.morabeza.com) with swimming pool. Double room, ordinary but clean. 2 very good restaurants. Friendly bar (happy hours). Animation: music, movies, ... Activities: Ping-pong, mini golf, archery...
We didn't rent a car. We went to Punta Preta with a taxi. Comment: Agree on a price before getting in the taxi and pay
when you are back in Santa Maria (this way, the driver will come back to pick you up)
Comments: We rented at Fanatic / North Sails. You have to book your gear through a travel agency. We chose sun+fun / Happy Surf (www.surfreisen.com) and everything was very well organised (flight, accommodation and windsurfing equipment)
