Cabo Verde Sun & Mountains

Eight days that pair Cabo Verde's two personalities: dramatic hiking on green Santo Antão, live music in Mindelo, then easy beach days on Sal. Short flights and ferries link the islands, and we tailor the pace to you.

Every journey is customizable. Use our featured journeys as inspiration. We'll tailor the dates, hotels, activities, pace and budget around you.

Highlights

• Crater to valley on Santo Antão

  Hike from the rim of the Cova crater into the terraced, green Paul valley with a local guide.

• The coastal path to Fontainhas

  A spectacular cliff trail to a village perched high above the Atlantic.

• Live music in Mindelo

  Morna and coladeira in the harbor town that shaped Cabo Verde's musical identity.

• Beach days on Sal

  Long sandy beaches, clear water and steady trade winds that are popular with kitesurfers.

• Floating in a salt crater

  Drift in the salt pools inside the extinct crater at Pedra de Lume.

Suggested day-by-day

A starting point, not a fixed schedule — we adjust every day to suit you.

1. 1
   Day 1Arrive on SalSanta Maria, Sal+

   Land at Amílcar Cabral International Airport and transfer about 20 minutes to Santa Maria, a relaxed beach town at the island's southern tip. Stretch your legs on the long sandy beach and watch fishermen land the day's catch at the pier.

   • Private airport transfer
   • Walk along Santa Maria beach
   • Evening in town

   Upscale beach hotel or similar · Santa Maria, Sal
2. 2
   Day 2Fly to MindeloMindelo, São Vicente+

   Take a short domestic flight to São Vicente and settle into Mindelo, with its pastel colonial buildings around a sweeping bay. Walk the waterfront and fish market with a local guide, then spend the evening at a restaurant or bar with live music.

   • Domestic flight to São Vicente
   • Guided walk in Mindelo
   • Evening of live morna and coladeira

   Boutique hotel or similar · Mindelo, São VicenteBreakfast
3. 3
   Day 3Santo Antão: crater to valleySanto Antão+

   Catch the morning ferry, about an hour, to Porto Novo on Santo Antão. Drive up the old cobbled mountain road to the rim of the Cova crater, then hike down into the Paul valley past terraces of sugarcane, bananas and yams.

   • Ferry to Santo Antão
   • Drive over the mountains on the cobbled road
   • Guided hike from the Cova crater into the Paul valley
   • Visit to a small grogue distillery

   Comfortable boutique guesthouse or similar · Santo AntãoBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
4. 4
   Day 4The coastal path to FontainhasPonta do Sol and Fontainhas+

   Walk one of Cabo Verde's most beautiful trails, from the harbor town of Ponta do Sol along the cliffs to Fontainhas, and onward if you wish. The path is narrow in places, so your guide sets a comfortable pace.

   • Guided coastal hike from Ponta do Sol
   • Village of Fontainhas
   • Afternoon at leisure

   Comfortable boutique guesthouse or similar · Santo AntãoBreakfast, Lunch, Dinner
5. 5
   Day 5Valleys and the return to MindeloSanto Antão and Mindelo+

   Explore the Ribeira da Torre valley on foot or simply relax, then take the afternoon ferry back to São Vicente. Spend a final evening in Mindelo with dinner overlooking the bay.

   • Short valley walk or free morning
   • Ferry back to São Vicente
   • Dinner in Mindelo

   Boutique hotel or similar · Mindelo, São VicenteBreakfast, Dinner
6. 6
   Day 6Back to the beach on SalSanta Maria, Sal+

   Fly back to Sal and check in to your beach hotel for two unhurried nights. The afternoon is yours for swimming or a first kitesurfing lesson.

   • Domestic flight to Sal
   • Transfer to Santa Maria
   • Afternoon on the beach

   Upscale beach hotel or similar · Santa Maria, SalBreakfast, Dinner
7. 7
   Day 7Salt crater and sea viewsSal+

   Join a relaxed island tour to float in the salt pools inside the Pedra de Lume crater, see the natural rock pool at Buracona and wade at Shark Bay, where young lemon sharks swim in the shallows. The rest of the day is for the beach.

   • Pedra de Lume salt pools
   • Buracona natural pool
   • Shark Bay
   • Beach time

   Upscale beach hotel or similar · Santa Maria, SalBreakfast, Dinner
8. 8
   Day 8Depart from SalSal+

   Enjoy a final swim or a walk along the beach. Your private transfer then takes you to the airport for your onward flight.

   • Leisurely final morning
   • Private airport transfer

   Breakfast

Make it yours

A few of the ways travelers tailor this journey:

• Hike for longer

  Add one or two nights on Santo Antão for more valley and ridge walks with your guide.

• Climb a volcano on Fogo

  Add Fogo for a guided hike on the volcano and a night in the crater settlement of Chã das Caldeiras.

• Swap Sal for Boa Vista

  Choose wilder, emptier beaches; in the nesting season, join a licensed guide to watch turtles.

• Learn to kitesurf

  Book a few lessons with a certified school on Sal, which has steady winds for much of the year.

• Travel for a festival

  Time your visit with Mindelo's Carnival or a music festival; dates vary, so ask us early.

Best months

1. ✓ Jan
2. ✓ Feb
3. ✓ Mar
4. ✓ Apr
5. May
6. Jun
7. Jul
8. Aug
9. Sep
10. ✓ Oct
11. ✓ Nov
12. ✓ Dec