Your stay — Boa Vista
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The Property — Boa Vista
The Boa Vista is a no-frills two-star hotel right on the main square of Sal Rei, opposite the port. It feels like a functional base for travellers who value location over luxury: the lobby is small, tiled, and doubles as the reception and a seating area, with a TV often tuned to local news. Its USP is proximity to the ferry terminal and beach – you can hear the waves from the front door. Best suited to independent backpackers or budget-conscious couples who want to be in the thick of things, not lounging by a pool.
Chronicles of Sal Rei
Sal Rei was founded in the 18th century as a port for salt exports from the nearby Salinas, giving the island its name. Its historic core features low, pastel-coloured colonial buildings with red-tiled roofs, many rebuilt after a devastating hurricane in 1960. The town's centrepiece, the Praça de Santa Isabel, retains a cobbled square and a small church from 1882. Today, Sal Rei is a relaxed administrative and tourist hub, blending creole culture with a growing wind- and kitesurfing scene. The population remains small—around 2,500—and the pace of life is dictated by the wind and the fish market.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sal Rei guide →Best months
December to April: peak dry season with daytime temps of 25-27°C, steady trade winds, and the least rain. Crowds from European tourists are manageable outside Christmas and February's Carnival.
Peak / festival surge
February and March are busiest, driven by Carnival (February) and the annual Atlantic Kiteboarding Pro (March). Hotel prices at Boa Vista can double or triple, with advance booking essential.
Budget shoulder season
May and June offer milder weather (28°C), lower humidity, and far fewer visitors. Prices drop from April onwards, making it the best value for a short stay in good conditions.
Weather & packing
Cabo Verde is dry year-round but July sits in the 'lean' season—still mostly sunny but with occasional short, heavy downpours. Pack a light rain shell and sun protection: a wide-brimmed hat and reef-safe sunscreen are non-negotiable even under cloud.
Live City Briefing — Sal Rei
- The ferry from Sal Rei to Praia (Santiago) resumed daily sailings in May 2026 after maintenance delays – check timetables at the port office next to the hotel as departures can shift last-minute.
- A new artisan market opened in April 2026 on Rua do Cais, two blocks from Boa Vista, selling local ceramics and handmade 'grogue' rum – ideal for gifts without the souvenir-shop markup.
- July is the start of the rainy 'aguas' season, so expect occasional tropical thunderstorms, especially in the late afternoon. Roads have improved, but some unpaved streets near the hotel can become muddy for a few hours after heavy rain.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Boa Vista, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (the floor above ground level) at the back of the building. This avoids street noise from Sal Rei's main road and gives you a quieter night.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street. The address on Sal Rei's main road means traffic and foot noise will be constant. Ground-floor rooms also lack privacy from passers-by.
Best views
Rooms at the back have a view of the quieter residential area or possibly a small courtyard, rather than the street. No sea view—this is a 2-star in town.
Quietest floors
First floor and above (if the hotel has more than one floor above ground). The second floor is likely even quieter, but check if there's a lift—without one, you'll carry bags up stairs.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from cars, motorbikes, and people on Sal Rei's main road. The entrance area can be busy with check-ins. No bar or restaurant noise (too small), but a lift motor or service door might rumble.
Insider tips
1. Check if the hotel has a back entrance—sometimes you can park or enter there to avoid the street commotion. 2. Ask for a top-floor room if you don't mind stairs—it's the quietest spot and may catch a breeze.
- 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 — Boa Vista
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby only (2 Mbps); no paid upgrade
No lift – two-storey building, stairs only
A printed local newspaper (A Semana) at reception, no digital newsstand
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop from 10:00 (no fee); late check-out until 12:00 costs 25% of night rate
Free storage in reception during open hours (08:00–22:00)
No step-free access – two steps at entrance, narrow doorways, no adapted bathroom
Free on-street parking; nearest public car park is 200 m on Rua do Porto (free, but fills by 10:00); no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; no incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja Nova Apostólica (331 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Santa Isabel (358 m · ~4 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Museu de Arqueologia da Boa Vista — 293 m · ~4 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 357 m · ~4 min walk
Farmácia Dias — 955 m · ~12 min walk
Mercearia Cianna — 34 m · ~1 min walk
Porto de Sal Rei — 716 m · ~9 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Cabo Verdean Escudo, CVE
Exchange cash at banks or the local mercado for fair rates; airport and hotel desks give poor rates.
Cards accepted in most hotels and larger restaurants, but small shops, markets and taxis prefer cash.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants, and a small tip for hotel cleaners.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A bica (espresso) from a pastelaria or bar on the main square costs around 50-70 CVE.
A cachupa (stew) or grilled fish with rice at a local tasca, about 400-600 CVE.
A main dish of grilled fish or chicken with sides at a no-frills restaurant, roughly 500-800 CVE.
Around the market and beachfront, you'll find pastéis (fried pastries) and grilled corn on street stalls for 30-100 CVE.
Small minimercados (supermarkets) near the main square stock basic goods; there is no large budget chain in Sal Rei.
Local market stalls sell affordable beachwear, flip-flops and cotton wraps; no high-street brands here.
Hike or hire a bicycle for about 500 CVE/day; from the airport, a shared aluguer (minibus) into town costs roughly 150 CVE.
Eat where locals queue for lunch (usually a tasca by the market); buy water and snacks at minimercados not hotel shops; haggle gently at the market for souvenirs.
Emergency Contacts
Sal ReiFor all emergencies, dial 112 from any phone. The main hospital in Sal Rei is Hospital Regional de Sal Rei (tel: +238 251 11 22). Local police station: Esquadra da Polícia Nacional, Sal Rei (tel: +238 251 13 30).
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sal Rei, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Boa Vista
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 357 m · ~4 min walk — pharmacy · Farmácia Dias — 955 m · ~12 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Boa Vista International Airport (BVC/Rabil) → Residence Rosa dei Venti, Sal Rei
💡 Book through the hotel directly — they know reliable drivers and often negotiate 300-500 CVE less than what airport touts quote.
Sal Rei town centre / beach road → Anywhere on the island (e.g., tour to Praia de Chaves or deserto)
💡 For short hops (e.g. hotel to the central market), walk if not in a hurry — everything is within a 15-min stroll. Taxis don't use meters; agree the fare before getting in.
Sal Rei bus stop (near the market) → Rabil, Estância, or Praia de Chaves (via main road)
💡 Aluguers are cramped and bumpy, but they're the cheapest way to reach Rabil or the south beaches. Don't expect a map — ask the driver to let you off near Rosa dei Venti; it's well known.
Residence Rosa dei Venti reception → Sal Rei town events/beach (or airport transfer add-on)
💡 This is often the simplest way to reach the beach if you don't want to walk in the heat. They'll also do a grocery drop to the local minimercado if you ask at reception.
About Sal Rei
Wikipedia ↗
Sal Rei is a city on the northwestern coast of the island of Boa Vista in eastern Cape Verde. Sal Rei is the island's main urban settlement, and the seat of the Boa Vista Municipality. In 2010 its population was 5,778. The name of the settlement means "King Salt" in Portuguese. This name stems from ...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Boa Vista?
Request a room on the first floor (the floor above ground level) at the back of the building. This avoids street noise from Sal Rei's main road and gives you a quieter night.
Which rooms should I avoid at Boa Vista?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor facing the street. The address on Sal Rei's main road means traffic and foot noise will be constant. Ground-floor rooms also lack privacy from passers-by.
Is Boa Vista noisy?
Street noise from cars, motorbikes, and people on Sal Rei's main road. The entrance area can be busy with check-ins. No bar or restaurant noise (too small), but a lift motor or service door might rumble.
Which rooms have the best views at Boa Vista?
Rooms at the back have a view of the quieter residential area or possibly a small courtyard, rather than the street. No sea view—this is a 2-star in town.
What are insider tips for staying at Boa Vista?
1. Check if the hotel has a back entrance—sometimes you can park or enter there to avoid the street commotion. 2. Ask for a top-floor room if you don't mind stairs—it's the quietest spot and may catch a breeze.
What time is check-in at Boa Vista?
Check-in at Boa Vista is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Boa Vista have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby only (2 Mbps); no paid upgrade
Is there a city or tourist tax at Boa Vista?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Boa Vista?
A cachupa (stew) or grilled fish with rice at a local tasca, about 400-600 CVE.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Boa Vista?
Hike or hire a bicycle for about 500 CVE/day; from the airport, a shared aluguer (minibus) into town costs roughly 150 CVE.
When is the best time to visit Sal Rei?
December to April: peak dry season with daytime temps of 25-27°C, steady trade winds, and the least rain. Crowds from European tourists are manageable outside Christmas and February's Carnival.
Top Attractions in Sal Rei
💡 Fish is cheapest before 10am. Bring small change – vendors rarely have it.
💡 Go early morning or late afternoon. Midday sun is brutal and shade is scarce.
💡 It's usually locked, but the grounds are open. Go at sunset for good light and fewer people.
💡 No facilities here – bring water and food. Best at low tide when the sand is widest.
💡 Walk along the beach at low tide to reach it. At high tide you'll need to scramble over rocks.