Island Characteristics

Sal has a population of around 20,000 inhabitants, the majority located in the island's commercial and administrative centre, Espargos. Sal is the perfect destination for beach holidays, with an average rainfall of just 8cm a year. As such it is developing at a rapid pace, with new buildings springing up all over the tourist resort of Santa Maria on the island's south coast. There are also a number of large resort developments planned for the west coast of the island from Santa Maria up to Murdeira town. 

 

The bay of Santa Maria is where most of the current tourist activity is conducted. It's the perfect place for diving, fishing, surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing, or just relax on the beach.

 

Sal is the most touristic of all the Cape Verde islands. It is quite a barren island and is the flattest of all the Cape Verde islands. Sal takes it's name from the now inactive salt mines. Sal is the only island to currently have an international airport.

Because of Sal's tourists, there is no lack of places to eat and drink. There are plenty of bars and restaurants - some hosting live local music.

 

 

Espargos is the capital and Palmeira is the main port.

Sal offers an extensive range of white-sanded beaches. The main resort is Santa Maria which has an 8 km beach.

Sal is perfectly suited for all water sports - surfing, windsurfing, kite-surfing, fishing and diving. There is no problem finding accomodation on Sal. A wide range of accomodation is available catering for all budgets. Sal is geared around beach activities and there are no great hiking opportunities. As with any tourist resort car / jeep hire is available - if you do not want to hire a car, Sal has plenty of taxis to run you around.

Places or interest - You should visit the volcano crater, salt lake at Pedra de Lume, the town of Espargos, the port of Palmeira and the natural pool at Buracona.

Bored of Sal? then you can take a day trip to Boa Vista by boat.