Boa Vista (Cape Verde) - Boa Vista (Capo Verde)

Disambiguation - For toponyms of identical name, see Boa Vista (disambiguation).

Boa Vista is one of the islands of Cape Verde.

To know

Boa Vista is an island of the archipelago of Cape Verde, the closest to the coasts ofAfrica and also the most desertified.

Boa Vista (in Portuguese there good eyesight) is a desert island in the Windward archipelago. Its economy was originally based on agriculture, but desertification forced the inhabitants to abandon this practice to devote themselves to the production of salt.

The island is known for its sea turtles and traditional music, as well as for its marathons, sand dunes and long beaches. Its capital is Sal Rei, the main port of Boavista. At Rabil, in the north-west of the island, theBoa Vista airport. Of the latter it must be said that the extension of the entire structure is underway for a future and imminent transformation from an international airport active only during the day to 24 hours, doubling the size of the terminal. Even Boavista, until recently an uncontaminated paradise made up of small fishermen's houses and long and desolate sunny beaches, is experiencing overbuilding as the island of Ilha do Sal. The urban plan includes buildings that are not too tall and almost half of the island is destined for environmentally friendly constructions. Numerous hotel and residential structures are under construction and are planned, ready to go into operation in anticipation of the imminent completion of works for the expansion of the Rabil airport and the port of Sal Rei, which will be a port of cruise ships starting from 2016. Real estate investment, like Sal, is strongly recommended for those who have thought about it.

Geographical notes

It is the third largest island of the entire archipelago after Santo Antão is Santiago. Its position is the easternmost of the entire archipelago and the African coasts are about 438 km from here. Its main industries today are agriculture and tourism. Most of the surface of the island is flat but desert or barren, in fact the little vegetation scattered on the territory. The beaches of the island are fine sand with a predominantly light color. The Monte Estância which rises to 387 m is the highest point. Other reliefs include Santo Antônio (376 m) and the Monte Negro (369 m). The animals on the island are generally not dangerous for humans and there are no poisonous animals or plants.

Spoken languages

The official language is Portuguese. Kriol, the local dialect, is also spoken on each island. Italian is easily understood.

Territories and tourist destinations

Urban centers

Most of the population lives in Sal Rei, but there are numerous small villages of 10 to 50 people. The island is the least populous of the archipelago.

How to get

By plane

FromItaly, the only company to make direct flights is the NEOS, with departures every Wednesday, from Verona, Bologna, Milan (Malpensa), Rome (Fiumicino). On Sundays there is a flight that returns from the island of Sal Bergamo.

How to get around

What see

• Viana desert. Just one kilometer wide and about 5 km long, it is characterized by light sand mixed with grains of black earth. 
• Morro Negro Lighthouse. 
• Shipwreck of Cabo Santa Maria. 
• Santa Monica Beach. The largest beach on the island 

Events and parties

• New Year. January 1st. Celebrated all over the island, but noteworthy is the town of Sal Rei where dances and other events take place. 
• Festa de Re Magi (To João Galego, Funda das Figueiras and Cabeça dos Tarafes). January 6. It is celebrated with mass, dances and various hospitality events. Groups of musicians go from house to house playing their own music for this festival. 
• Shrove Tuesday. Party particularly felt in the whole island. 
• Feast of Santa Cruz. May 3. It commemorates the liberation of the slaves and involves all the inhabitants of the island. In addition to the mass and the procession, parades take place accompanied by the sound of drums and the whistles of the bystanders. 
• Feast of San Rocco in Povoação Velha. May 8. Celebrated with mass, procession and joyful dances. 
• Feast of Santo Antonio. June 13. A pilgrimage takes place to the chapel, located in the center of the island, located on a lonely site near the Rocha de Santo António. 
• St. John Baptist. June 24. Celebrated in the parish of the same name, with processions and offerings. 
• Santa Isabella (Patronal or Town Hall festival). 4th July. Main festival of the island of Boa Vista. For this holiday they come from all the islands. 
• Feast of the Madonna della Pietà (To João Galego). August 15. 
• Feast of San Rocco (To Rabil). August 16. 
• Music Festival of Praia de Santa Cruz. Third weekend of August. With national artists from other islands and also with the participation of some foreign artists. 
• Ultramarathon. 70/150 km marathon along the coasts and the interior of the island. Autumn event. 

What to do

• Fishing. An ideal destination for lovers of shore and deep sea fishing. Marlin jokes, yellow fin tuna, dorado, amberjack. Exciting recoveries from the ground with the techniques of surfcasting is rock fishing, or outings for bolentino fishing. Good rental equipment and the possibility of organizing groups. 
• Windsurfing. From December to March, the trade winds make the island ideal for windsurfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts. Excellent spots for both beginners and the more experienced. Two centers on Estoril beach offer the best equipment for hire and offer basic and advanced courses. 
• Diving. Do not miss the dives around Ilheu, the wall of Atlantis, Ponta do Sol, the wrecks below the coast with rare and unexpected encounters. Diving centers managed by professionals. Initiation courses and exits suitable for "seasoned" divers. 
• Trekking, mountain bike and horse. Immersed in the wildest nature, between palm groves and unexpected baobabs, along the white beaches, up and down the rolling dunes, on foot accompanied by expert guides, on horseback or by mountain bike are experiences not to be missed. Ultramaraton takes place every December. 
• Starwatching. Observation of the stars and the night sky with professional telescopes, the help of a specialized guide, hot drinks and champagne, to discover the thrill of looking at constellations and planets as you have never seen them before. The moon is photographable. 
• Quad. Quad excursions in total safety. Adventurous or relaxing paths, to explore the desert, swim in wonderful beaches and enjoy breathtaking views unreachable by car. 

Shopping

• Boas Compras. Multi-storey shopping mall in the center of Sal-Rei 
• Chinese shops. In Sal Rei there are numerous Chinese shops selling household items, groceries, beach items, stationery and cigarettes. 

How to have fun

Where to eat

Average prices

• Tortuga Beach Club. Grilled, carpaccio, marinades and Italian pasta, without forgetting shellfish and seafood. Noteworthy grilled chickens and ribs! 
• Chandinho. Italian restaurant in the city center 
• Ca 'Luisa. Italian-Cape Verdean restaurant 
• Cabo Cafe, ☎ 238 5992524. Mon-Wed / Fri-Sun 18.00 / 23.00. Italian-Cape Verdean restaurant, with entirely recycled furniture 
• Don Pincho's. Snack bar and restaurant on the square of Sal Rei. Skewers, Cape Verdean and Italian dishes. Pasta, fish, ready-to-go dishes. 
• Bahia Beach Club. Lounge bar / restaurant on the beach, aperitifs and cocktails 

• Alisios. Cape Verdean beach club and restaurant on the beach. 
• Esplanada. Outdoor venue in the center of the square of Sal Rei. Great pizza, evening music and good beer. The hub of city life. 

High prices

• Sarau. Very elegant Cape Verdean restaurant in the upper part of the city 

Where stay

Average prices

Hotel

• Estoril. City center hotel a Sal Rei. 
• Boavista. Cape Verdean hotel in the city center a Sal Rei. 
• Luca Kalema. City center hotel a Sal Rei. 

Apartments and B&B

• Ca Nicola. 
• Vista do Mar. 
• 16.17301-22.914861 Orchid. Beachfront guesthouse in Sal-Rei 
• Migrant. Beachfront guesthouse in Sal-Rei 
• 16.1742-22.912772 Estrela do Mar, Largo Santa Isabel, @[email protected]. Apartments with swimming pool 200 meters from the main square. SPA, sauna, bar and gym. Reception with laundry service and transfer from / to airport. 
• Villa Cabral. 
• Residence Delfini. 

High prices

All Inclusive Villages

• RIU Karamboa. 
• Iberostar. 
• RIU Touareg. 
• Royal Decameron. 
• Marine Club. 

Safety

The island is generally safe, there have been no heinous crimes for a long time. The control system of police patrols has recently been amplified, especially in places where parties and public events take place. Particular attention should be paid to cars and the road in general, as locals do not have a good reputation for driving. There are no traffic lights or pedestrian crossings and the few paved roads are poorly lit. Given the poor public lighting, it is advisable to have a flashlight or just your mobile phone with you.

When on an excursion, it is always good to inform the reception or the accommodation staff about where to go and what time to return, so as not to let too much time pass in case of a puncture of a tire or dead mobile phone battery.

Tourists are seen as the primary source of economic income, so don't show any particularly flashy gold, rings or jewelry.

Thefts are scarce and very rare, usually caused to the detriment of those who are drunk or those who do not keep their personal belongings. Even though the town is very quiet, girls are clearly not advised to go around alone at night: better to call a taxi or be accompanied by a friend. Cape Verdeans are very hospitable and curious, often just asking for company. Before accepting invitations to someone's home, it is better to check if the guest is well known by the managers of some restaurant or facility.

Health situation

To enter the island (as well as to Cape Verde) no vaccinations or prophylaxis are required. It is advisable to bring your personal medicines with you even if there are pharmacies and parapharmacies on the island.

The hospital of Sal Rei it is equipped only for emergencies or green code hospitalizations. The yellow or red codes are generally treated in Praia, as well as very specific exams.

The progressive increase of waste deriving from tourism is raising public awareness in order to create a door-to-door separate collection to keep the city clean. Waste management projects are currently being examined by parliamentary bodies.

How to keep in touch

Telephony

For international calls it is necessary to prefix: 111

The networks available for mobile telephony are: CVTelecom, T

For those who think not to buy a local SIM to install in their phone, it is advisable to keep in mind that calls cost € 2.7 / min (as of 2014).

GSM coverage reaches about 90% of the territory and there is also 3G coverage.

Internet

Free wifi is available at the airport and in the central square.

Around

Useful information

In an emergency, the following numbers can be used:

• Airport: 238 2511313
• Embassy in Italy: 39 06 4744678
• Italian Consulate in Boa Vista: 238 2619343
• Hospital: 130 or 238 2511167
• Police: 132
• Firefighters: 131

Other projects

• Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Boa Vista (Cape Verde)
• Commons contains images or other files on Boa Vista (Cape Verde)

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