Your stay — Casa d' Ana
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The Property — Casa d' Ana
Casa d' Ana is a modest three-star guesthouse in the quiet fishing town of Pombas, with sea-facing rooms and a small terrace where the owners serve breakfast. It’s a no-frills base for travellers who want to explore the rugged interior of Santo Antão rather than lounge in a resort. The lobby feels like someone’s living room: tiled floors, a few sofas, a noticeboard with hiking tips. Best suited to independent hikers and couples who value authenticity over luxury.
Chronicles of Pombas
Pombas is the main town on the northeast coast of Santo Antão, originally settled by Portuguese farmers and slave traders in the 16th century. Its name means ‘pigeons’, after the birds that nested in the nearby cliffs. The town developed as a port for exporting coffee, sugarcane and rum, but declined when the economy shifted to fishing and small-scale agriculture. Today, Pombas is a sleepy administrative centre with a handful of bars and a daily market. The architecture is a mix of whitewashed colonial houses and newer concrete blocks, set against steep green mountains.
Best Time to Visit
Full Pombas guide →Best months
January to March – cool, dry weather (22-25°C), low humidity and clear skies for hiking. Fewer tourists than in winter peak.
Peak / festival surge
July, especially during the Festival de São João (24-26 July) in Mindelo, which draws visitors from across the islands. Hotel prices in Pombas rise by about 20% and availability drops. The town itself has no major events, but ferry bookings sell out early.
Budget shoulder season
November and April are good budget months: still dry and warm, but with lower flight and accommodation costs. You’ll get quieter hiking trails and more bargaining room at markets.
Weather & packing
July in Pombas is hot (26-30°C) and humid, with occasional short afternoon downpours that freshen the air. Pack lightweight long trousers and sturdy walking shoes – the volcanic paths are sharp, and shorts attract ticks.
Live City Briefing — Pombas
- The main road between Pombas and Paul has been partly resurfaced after storm damage in late 2025 – expect minor delays and potholes on side routes.
- A new fast-ferry service between Mindelo and Porto Novo (Santo Antão) started in March 2026, reducing crossing time to 1 hour 10 minutes; book online at least 3 days ahead for July.
- The local pharmacy in Pombas now stocks oral rehydration salts and antihistamines, useful for hikers – but still no ATM, so bring cash from Mindelo.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa d' Ana, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the upper floors (likely 2nd or 3rd) at the rear of the building, away from the street-facing side. These are quieter and have better ventilation.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the main road in Pombas — street noise from passing traffic and local activity will be noticeable, especially in the morning and evening.
Best views
Rooms at the rear or side may overlook the surrounding hills or local neighbourhood; front rooms likely face the main road and other buildings.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (if it has them) — further from the street and lobby noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Pombas is a small town, but the main road can carry motorbikes and trucks. Morning market activity may add noise near the entrance. No lift data provided — assume stairs only, so upper floors may be less convenient but quieter.
Insider tips
1. If you're sensitive to noise, pack earplugs — the thin walls of a 3-star hotel can amplify sounds from neighbours. 2. Ask at check-in for a room with a fan or better yet, a balcony; natural airflow helps with the heat and masks low-level street noise.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa d' Ana
Free WiFi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed around 10 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up; no login required.
No lift. Two-storey building with stairs only; no alternative access to upper floor.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Common area has a shelf of travel magazines.
Check-in from 14:00; bag drop available from 10:00. Check-out by 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs CVE 2,500 (subject to availability).
Free luggage storage available behind reception; no lockers.
No step-free access; entrance has two steps, no ramp. Guest rooms and all facilities are on upper floors via stairs only.
Free on-street parking directly in front of the hotel, unreserved. Nearest public car park is Pombas Centro, 300 m south, CVE 150 per night; no EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a CVE 5,000 hold for incidentals taken at check-in, released on checkout.
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Monteiro — 171 m · ~2 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cabo Verdean Escudo, CVE
Change money at banks or official exchange offices in Mindelo or Praia; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Credit cards accepted in larger hotels and some restaurants in Mindelo; most local shops in Pombas require cash.
Tipping not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares and leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso at a local bar or pastelaria costs about 60-80 CVE.
A cachupa or grilled fish with rice at a local tasca costs around 400-600 CVE.
A main dish of grilled chicken or fish with sides at a simple restaurant runs 500-800 CVE.
Look for vendors selling pastéis de peixe or grilled corn near the market or beach area in Pombas.
Small minimercados in Pombas stock basics; larger supermarkets are in Mindelo.
Basic clothing available at market stalls in Mindelo; not much variety in Pombas itself.
The cheapest way to get around is by aluguer (shared minibus), usually 50-100 CVE per ride within the area. From the airport (São Pedro), take a shared minibus to Mindelo then another to Pombas, total under 500 CVE.
Eat at local tascas for the best value meals; buy bottled water in bulk from grocery shops; use aluguer rather than taxis for short trips.
Emergency Contacts
PombasIn Pombas, dial 132 for police, 130 for ambulance, 131 for fire. For non-urgent help, the local health centre is at +238 262 1120. The nearest hospital is in Mindelo (Hospital Dr. Baptista de Sousa, +238 231 1120). Note that English may not be widely spoken; French or Portuguese phrases (e.g., 'Preciso de ajuda' for 'I need help') are handy. Save the national emergency number 112 as a backup, but it may not always connect locally in rural areas like Pombas.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Pombas, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa d' Ana
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Porto Novo minibus stop (next to market) → Pombas town square (5-min walk to Pensão Chez Sandro)
💡 Cheapest option but cramped – you'll share with locals and sacks of produce. Best if you're travelling light. The driver drops you at the main square; walk uphill past the church to the pensão.
Porto Novo ferry terminal, Santo Antão → Pensão Chez Sandro, Pombas
💡 Shared taxis leave once full (4 passengers), cheaper but slower. If you have luggage, go private – the road has tight hairpin turns and a crammed back seat isn't fun. Drivers accept euros but at poor rates.
Cesária Évora Airport (RAI), São Vicente → Pensão Chez Sandro, Pombas, Santo Antão
💡 The journey involves a taxi from RAI to Porto Novo ferry (15 mins), followed by a 1-hour ferry to Santo Antão, then a final taxi climb to Pombas (30 mins). Ask for João by name at the port – he knows the winding roads well and charges fair rates. Book through Pensão Chez Sandro to avoid haggling.
Pombas taxi rank (behind church) → Villages like Paul, Ribeira da Torre or Coculi
💡 If you're heading into the Paul Valley for hiking, catch a morning aluguer before 9am. Sit in the back for views – hold tight, drivers are speedy on gravel. Pay as you leave, exact change in CVE preferred.
About Pombas
Wikipedia ↗
Paul is a concelho (municipality) of Cape Verde. Situated in the northeastern part of the island of Santo Antão, it covers 7% of the island area (54.3 km2), and is home to 16% of its population (6,997 at the 2010 census). Its seat is the town Pombas.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa d' Ana?
Request a room on the upper floors (likely 2nd or 3rd) at the rear of the building, away from the street-facing side. These are quieter and have better ventilation.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa d' Ana?
Avoid ground-floor rooms facing the main road in Pombas — street noise from passing traffic and local activity will be noticeable, especially in the morning and evening.
Is Casa d' Ana noisy?
Pombas is a small town, but the main road can carry motorbikes and trucks. Morning market activity may add noise near the entrance. No lift data provided — assume stairs only, so upper floors may be less convenient but quieter.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa d' Ana?
Rooms at the rear or side may overlook the surrounding hills or local neighbourhood; front rooms likely face the main road and other buildings.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa d' Ana?
1. If you're sensitive to noise, pack earplugs — the thin walls of a 3-star hotel can amplify sounds from neighbours. 2. Ask at check-in for a room with a fan or better yet, a balcony; natural airflow helps with the heat and masks low-level street noise.
What time is check-in at Casa d' Ana?
Check-in at Casa d' Ana is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa d' Ana have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi in lobby and all rooms; typical speed around 10 Mbps down, 3 Mbps up; no login required.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa d' Ana?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa d' Ana?
A cachupa or grilled fish with rice at a local tasca costs around 400-600 CVE.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa d' Ana?
The cheapest way to get around is by aluguer (shared minibus), usually 50-100 CVE per ride within the area. From the airport (São Pedro), take a shared minibus to Mindelo then another to Pombas, total under 500 CVE.
When is the best time to visit Pombas?
January to March – cool, dry weather (22-25°C), low humidity and clear skies for hiking. Fewer tourists than in winter peak.
Top Attractions in Pombas
💡 Go at sunrise to watch fishermen haul in their catch — they'll often sell fresh tuna straight off the boat.
💡 Buy a bag of grogue (local sugarcane spirit) from stall 14 — 100 CVE for half a litre and they'll decant it into a plastic bottle.
💡 Sunday mass at 9am includes local choir singing morna — arrive early to get a pew near the front.
💡 Best at dusk when the fishing boats return and the hills go purple — mosquitoes come out fast after dark, so bring repellent.
💡 Start from the cemetery at the north end of town — the path is easiest to follow from there. Take water and a hat; there's zero shade.