“No Stress” is the island motto of Cape Verde and can be seen and felt around every corner: it is written on T-shirts, shared taxis and house walls. The relaxed attitude of the locals, combined with the seemingly endless sandy beaches and year-round warm temperatures, is a balm for winter-weary vacationers and sun-seekers alike.
Cape Verde consists of 15 islands, nine of which are inhabited. The main tourist centers are Sal and Boavista.
Beautiful views on Boa Vista
Boa Vista (beautiful view) is the easternmost island of Cape Verde, just under 500 kilometers from the African mainland, Senegal. Before the Portuguese arrived 500 years ago, the 620-square-meter island was uninteresting and desolate. Salt, the island’s white gold, made it rich. Today, tourists appreciate Boa Vista’s riches: its beautiful long beaches of fine sand, its unspoiled nature and the cheerfulness of its people, who have a smile for every situation.
Boa Vista is the most unspoiled island of Cape Verde. Over a length of 55 kilometers, its beaches merge almost seamlessly. The most beautiful are Praia de Santa Monica, 18 kilometers long, which invites you to sunbathe and swim, and Praia de Chaves, where the desert seems to merge into a beach with turquoise waters. The island is also a paradise for water sports. Its waters are an excellent diving spot, thanks to the rich coral deposits that form a magnificent underwater landscape.
There are not many sightseeing highlights on the island, perhaps this is the secret to a “no stress” vacation. However, there are excursions to Sal Rei, the capital of Boa Vista, and the shipwreck of Cabo Santa Maria. More than 55 years ago, the cargo ship ran aground off the coast of Boa Vista. Today, all that remains is a rusty skeleton that serves as a popular photo op.
If you are looking for a relaxing vacation with all the comforts and excellent cuisine, the Spanish hotel chain RIU has just what you need, whether for families or adults in its “Adults Only” hotels. Just recently, the five-star Riu Karamboa in Boa Vista opened as an adults-only hotel, completely renovated. Thanks to the 24-hour all-inclusive service, hotel guests can enjoy a wide range of culinary delights in five restaurants without limits. Six bars offer refreshing drinks and cocktails. 67 of the 921 newly designed rooms are swim-up rooms with private pools. Outside, Riu guests can relax at five pools overlooking the ocean. The extensive adult entertainment program provides casual hours both during the day and at night.
The six Riu hotels (three on Sal and three on Boa Vista) are located on the most beautiful beaches and offer 24-hour all-inclusive service for a carefree vacation. www.riu.com.
Direct flights with TUIfly from several German airports.
