Travel Guide to Cape Verde. Travel Holiday Hotels

SAO VICENTE ISLAND

The island of Sao Vicente, which in Portuguese means 'Saint Vincent' is located between the islands of Santo Antao to the west and Sao Nicolau to the east. Sao Vicente is the second most populated island in the Archipelago, with a surface area of 227 Km2 and a population of around 60,000 inhabitants; many of them living in Mindelo, the capital. The island is about 16km long from North to South and 24km wide.

Like the other islands, Sao Vicente is volcanic in origin, but somehow it is quite flat in the middle, in the north and in the eastern part south of Calhau; there are few mountains in the west, in the south and in the east part of the island. Sao Vicente's highest point is Monte Verde, at 750m is located in the northeastern part of the island. The island is very dry.

VISIT SAO VICENTE FOR:

The Carnival in mid-February and other festivals.
Music and lively nightlife.
Windsurfing and surfing.

HISTORY

The island was discovered in January, 1462, but it remained practically uninhabited until the beginning of the 19th century when the British brought coal (which was the newly discovered fuel) and set up a refuelling station in Mindelo for ships crossing from Europe to South America or to southern Africa. The city became very busy, it grew larger and the population increased quickly.

Mindelo became an important cultural centre where music, literature and sports were encouraged and developed. But the trade did not create much economical benefit for the Cape Verdeans, the refulling was owned by foreign companies and locals' earnings were little; thus Mindelo was the fourth greatest coaling station in the world, the capital hosted prostitutes and beggars. Sao Vicente lacked natural resouces and when oil replaced coal, coupled with drought, famine ensued around the 1940s.

Since indipendence things have improved and some investments have been made.

AT THE AIRPORT & TRANSPORT INFORMATION

The airport is located on the southwestern part of the island, north of Sao Pedro. To contact the airport: + 238 232 3715.

Internal Flights

There are regular domestic flights with TACV Airlines between Sao Vicente and - Santiago (few every day), - Sal (few every day), - Sao Nicolau (few a week).

From The Airport

Taxis are available from the airport to Mindelo from around 800$. The nearest town is Sao Pedro at only 1km away.

By Ferry or Hydrofoil

The port is Porto Grande in Mindelo.

Regular ferry connection between Sao Vicente and Santo Antao

- There is a regular ferry, Mar d'Canal operated by Naviera Armas, travelling between Mindelo in Sao Vicente and Porto Novo in Santo Antao every day.
It leaves Mindelo at 8am and at 3pm (service may be reduced on weekends) and cost 600$ one way, cars can be transported for 2,500$.
- Another smaller ferry, Ribeira de Paul, ply the same route but the voyage might be a little bit rougher.

The crossing lasts one hour and you can obtain tickets at the port. See 'Getting Around' Main Page for routes and timetables between the Sao Vicente and the other islands.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ships coming from abroad (Dakar, Conakry and Bissau) and cruiseship are also likely to dock in Mindelo. It has a deep harbour and excellent anchorage facilities.

To leave Cape Verde for the mainland by boat try the ARCA VERDE company or cargo-ship agency in Mindelo.

Getting Around Sao Vicente

- ALUGUERS Aluguers travel within Mindelo and its outskirts for around 30/40$ and to and from Sao Pedro only.

- TAXIS A taxi ride within the town of Mindelo costs around 150/170$, to Monte Verde, Calhau and return to Baia das Gatas from 1,500$ upwards.

- CAR RENTAL For more freedom to see the island, rent a car. There are quite a few companies to choose from.

ACTIVITIES

Excursions

Examples of excursions offered by local tour operators include: half-day or full-day tour of the island, tour of the town of Mindelo, trips to Sal and Santigo and adventure trips like horseriding and desert exploration. Generally, organised tours require a minimum number of people and are often more expensive than if you arrange it yourself. Listed below are some tours operators.

TERRAVENTURA CABO VERDE, CABETUR and TROPICTUR all in Mindelo, FLY VIAGENS E TURISMO at the Hotel Porto Grande in Mindelo.

Windsurfing

Windsurfing mainly occurs in Sao Pedro in the southwestern part of the island, here a steady and strong wind made and still makes world windsurfing speed records possible.

The bay of Mindelo, with an average wind speed of 16 knots, sometimes reaching 30, is another windsufing spot.

Surfing

Surfers can also be seen on few Sao Vicente beaches: in 1997, Sandy Beach at Calhau, in the southeastern part of the island, was included in the European professional circuit, and reasonable waves can be ridden near Sao Pedro.

Swimming

The best places to swim are at the lagoon at Baia das Gatas, on the northeast coast, and at Baia de Salamansa, in the north and at Sao Pedro.

Praia da Laginha is Mindelo's closest beach, it can get very busy at weekends.

Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. LEFT: Sao Pedro, RIGHT: Salamansa beach.

PLACES TO STAY OR VISIT

MINDELO
Mindelo is located in the northern part of Sao Vicente, it serves as port and capital of the island. It is the second largest city in Cape Verde after Praia, on Santiago. Its wide well laid out streets, cobbled squares and English architecture are all reminders of its colonial history.
Mindelo is characterized by a vibrant and lively night life.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
USEFUL NUMBERS & INFORMATION
Hospital:  On the southeast corner of town, 232 7355.
Pharmacy:  Many throughout the city.       Police:  231 4631
Banks: Caixa Economica, Banco Comercial do Atlantico.

                                     Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Mindelo bay.

                                Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Around Mindelo streets.

                     Photos sourced from www.caboverde.com. Carnival around the streets of Mindelo.

DO NOT MISS:
-   Mindelo's colourful and animated Carnival in mid-February.
-   The fort, Fortim d'El Rei, on the headland east of town, used to accomodate the local militia and rebels. From here there is a pretty view over Mindelo harbour, across to the Ilheu dos Passaros (Birds Island), an islet at the entry of the Porto Grande, and of the island of Santo Antao.
-   On the opposite side of the harbour there is Monte Cara, also called Face Mountain, for the rock 's resemblance to a human profile.
Other places of interest include:
-   The Torre de Belem, on the coastal road, where the Portuguese governor used to live from the 1920s and replica of the monument of the same name in Lisbon.
-   The pink Presidential Palace, in the middle of the city and the Pracinha de Igreia, near the Presidential Palace, the oldest part of town.
-   The Centro Nacional de Artesanato, where is possible to watch Cape Verdean craftsmen in action and buy souvenirs.
-   The Praca Amilcar Cabral, an immense square where locals meet in the evenings and on which lies the Hotel Porto Grande.
SAO PEDRO
Sao Pedro is located in the southwestern part of the island, 1km south of the airport.
It is a small fishing town with a beautiful beach.
Windsurfing and surfing are very popular here. It is also possible to see sea turtles.
    Photo sourced from www.caboverde.com. Sao Pedro.
For 'Where to Stay' see Accomodation section or our Book Your Holiday page.
BAIA DAS GATAS
Baia das Gatas is located in the northeastern part of the island. This stunning bay is only 12km east of Mindelo, it has a beautiful natural lagoon where swimming is safe and enjoyable, and is a great place to do some fishing. Very quiet during the week, it comes to life during the weekend with lots of parties.
It is famous for its August Full Moon Festival, where groups from all over Cape Verde and abroad come to play. There is singing, dancing, eating, horseracing and watersports.
CALHAU
Calhau is located in the southeastern part of the island.
It is only 18km south-east of Mindelo and the road to get there passes between two extinct volcanos and a well preserved crater, clearly visible about 3km away.
Calhau, like Baia das Gatas is very quiet during the week and buzzing during the weekend.
THE ISLAND OF SANTA LUZIA
The island of Santa Luzia, which in Portuguese means 'Saint Lucy,' is the smallest uninhabited island of the archipelago, with a surface area of 35 km2. It is located between the island of Sao Vicente to the west and Sao Nicolau to the east. Santa Luzia's highest point is Topona, at 395m. The island was inhabited from the 18th century until the 1960s. Its north coast is jagged while beaches dominate the south coast.
To see the island go to Calhau and try to get a passage with some fishermen or charter one.