Refreshed November 13, 2025
Author: VayCay Couple.
Planning Boa Vista right now? Our Boa Vista travel guide gives you practical answers: when to go, how to reach the island, simple ways to get around, where to base yourself, what things cost in Euros, and the best beaches and tours.
Quick answers for Boa Vista
- Best time to visit Boa Vista: Nov–Jun for blue skies and steady trade winds; Jul–Oct for turtle season and warmer seas.
- How many days in Boa Vista: 4–6 days suits most trips (add time if kitesurfing or you want long beach days).
- Average daily budget (per person): €60–€90 shoestring, €100–€150 mid, €170–€240 comfort.
- Getting around Boa Vista: Walk Sal Rei, then taxis, aluguers (minivans), quad hire, or a 4×4 with driver for dunes and south-coast tracks.
- Is tap water safe in Boa Vista? Resorts and many cafés use filtered water; stick to bottled or filtered if unsure.
- Power plug in Cape Verde: European two-pin (Type C/F), 220 V / 50 Hz.
- Tipping in Boa Vista: Round up or add ~10% in restaurants; small coins for kiosks and beach bars.
What is the best time to visit Boa Vista?
Choose your season by what you want to see. Nov–Jun brings dry air, bright light, and classic trade-wind days (great for kites). Jul–Oct is more humid, seas feel warmer, and loggerhead turtles nest on protected beaches. Mar–May is the main window for whale-watching trips. Year-round, UV is strong—pack reef-safe SPF and a hat.
Boa Vista weather by month
| Month | High/Low (°C) | Rainfall | Sea Temp (°C) | Crowds | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 / 19 | Very low | 23 | Low | Med |
| Feb | 24 / 19 | Very low | 22–23 | Low | Med |
| Mar | 25 / 19 | Very low | 22–23 | Med | Med |
| Apr | 25 / 20 | Very low | 23 | Med | Med |
| May | 26 / 21 | Very low | 23–24 | Med | Med |
| Jun | 27 / 22 | Low | 24 | Med | Med–High |
| Jul | 28 / 23 | Low–Med | 25–26 | High | High |
| Aug | 29 / 24 | Med | 26 | High | High |
| Sep | 29 / 24 | Med | 26 | Med | Med |
| Oct | 28 / 24 | Low–Med | 25–26 | Med | Med |
| Nov | 27 / 22 | Low | 24 | Med | Med |
| Dec | 25 / 20 | Low | 23–24 | Med | Med |
Use this as a planning baseline; check a local forecast before you go.
How to get to Boa Vista
By air: Boa Vista’s Aristides Pereira International (BVC) sits near Rabil, a short drive from Sal Rei. There are seasonal/direct flights from Europe and domestic hops from other islands. If you find a good fare into Sal (SID), pair it with a short domestic flight to BVC. See our note on new UK routes to Sal for ideas, then connect on to Boa Vista.
- Read next: Cape Verde Travel Guide (for entry basics and island overviews).
- Planning multiple islands? Our 12-day Cape Verde itinerary shows how Boa Vista fits with Sal, Santiago, and more.
- UK readers: check our piece on easyJet’s new Sal flights if you’re mixing Sal + Boa Vista.
Transport options (into Boa Vista)
| Option | Typical time | Typical cost (one-way) | Book at | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Direct flight to BVC | 5–6 h from many EU hubs | Varies | Airline/app | Seasonal on some routes |
| Domestic flight SID ⇄ BVC | ~30 min | Varies | Airline/app | Handy if you land on Sal first |
| Taxi BVC → Sal Rei | ~15–20 min | €10–€12 | Airport rank | Agree fare before you go |
How to get around Boa Vista
- On foot: Sal Rei is compact; Estoril beach sits an easy stroll away.
- Taxis: Good value for town hops and airport runs; confirm the fare up front.
- Aluguer (minivan): Local shared vans on simple routes (e.g., Rabil ↔ Sal Rei). Cheap, leaves when full.
- Quad/buggy hire: Fun on firm sand tracks and in Viana Desert; keep off signed turtle-nesting zones.
- 4×4 with driver: Best for south-coast runs and remote beaches.
- Car hire: Limited fleet; sand tracks make a 4×4 or driver a smarter choice for most visitors.
Where to stay in Boa Vista (areas that work)
Choose based on how you like to spend your days: walkable town life, a calm beach base near cafés, or an all-inclusive on a huge strand.
Areas and who they suit
| Area/Base | Good for | Price (€/night, double) | Pros | Watch-outs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sal Rei (town) | Local vibe, walkable eats | €55–€120 | Markets, harbour, easy taxis | Some streets can be lively at night |
| Estoril (Sal Rei west) | Calm lagoon, snorkel | €70–€150 | Sheltered water, beach cafés | Fills up in peak weeks |
| Praia de Chaves | Long beach days, kites | €120–€220 | Dunes + bars, sunset views | Exposed to wind some days |
| South coast (Morro de Areia area) | Resort stays, pool time | €140–€240 | Big AI options, quiet nights | Farther from town; 4×4 tracks |
| Rabil | Airport access, quiet | €60–€130 | Simple base, pottery co-op | Car/taxi needed for beaches |
(Rates are mid-range estimates; peak weeks can sit above the top end.)
What to do in Boa Vista (top picks)
- Santa Monica beach: Wild, wide, and photogenic. Swim only when calm; currents can be strong.
- Praia de Chaves: Dunes, clear water, and beach bars. Good for a beginner kite lesson when wind sits in the 18–24 kt range.
- Viana Desert (quad/buggy): A short ride from Rabil; sugar-fine dunes. Bring a scarf and glasses.
- Shipwreck “Cabo Santa Maria”: Rusted hull on the north coast—best at golden hour.
- Rabil Pottery: Support the local co-op; pick up hand-painted bowls.
- Sal Rei old town wander: Market stop, grogue caipirinhas, sundown by the pier.
- Ilhéu de Sal Rei snorkel: Hire gear on Estoril; go on a calm-sea morning.
- Turtle patrol (Jul–Sep): Night walks with trained monitors. Keep to red-light rules.
- Whale-watching (Mar–May): Calm morning seas help; bring a windproof layer.
- Star-gazing: Zero light pollution inland—lie back on a dune and enjoy the Milky Way.
Island-hopping add-on: If you’re pairing islands, read our full Cape Verde itinerary for routing ideas and timings, including Boa Vista + Sal combos.
More Cape Verde context: Skim our Cape Verde Travel Guide for visas, money, and island snapshots, then branch into Boa Vista details here.
Costs and money in Boa Vista
- Coffee: €1.50–€3
- Beach lunch (grilled fish + sides): €8–€15
- Dinner (mid): €14–€25
- Quad tour (2 h): ~€55
- Whale-watch cruise: ~€60
- Turtle patrol (donation): ~€25
- Taxi BVC → Sal Rei: €10–€12
- Daily budgets (pp):
- Shoestring: €60–€90 (guesthouse, aluguer, street eats)
- Mid: €100–€150 (3*–4*, taxis, one tour/day)
- Comfort: €170–€240 (4*–AI, private 4×4 tours)
Cards work in bigger supermarkets and resorts; small bars often prefer cash. ATMs are available in Sal Rei and at the airport. Decline dynamic currency conversion at card terminals.
Is Boa Vista safe?
Yes—common sense goes a long way.
Do: use licensed guides for night turtle walks; keep valuables out of sight; watch surf conditions before swimming.
Don’t: drive quads on signed turtle zones; leave bags unattended on open dunes; ignore red flag days.
Emergency number: 132 (police) and 130 (fire); EU emergency 112 connects as well.
What to pack for Boa Vista
- All seasons: reef-safe SPF 50, hat, sunglasses, refillable bottle, Type-C/F adapter.
- For dunes/rafts: scarf or buff, closed-toe shoes for hot sand.
- For nights: light jacket (wind can bite after sunset).
- Water fun: rash-vest, snorkel gear if you have it.
- Respect wildlife: a small red-light torch for turtle walks.
FAQs
Four to six days suits most trips; extend if you want more beach or kite days.
Nov–Jun for dry, bright days; Jul–Oct for turtles and warmer seas.
Walk Sal Rei, then taxis, aluguer vans, quad hire, or a 4×4 with driver for remote tracks.
Stick to bottled or filtered water if unsure; many cafés and resorts use filtered water.
Good value versus many winter-sun spots. Mid trips land around €100–€150 per person per day.
Sal Rei for local life, Estoril for a calm lagoon, Praia de Chaves for dunes and beach bars, and south-coast resorts for pool time.
Yes—Jul–Sep is peak. Join a guided patrol and follow red-light rules.
Yes, pair a flight into Sal with a short domestic hop to Boa Vista, then split your nights.
