Where to stay in Santa Maria, Sal: boutique hotel, apartment or resort
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Hotels in Sal, Cabo Verde
Most visitors to Sal (Cape Verde, Cabo Verde) stay in or around Santa Maria, on the long white beach in the south. Broadly you choose between a boutique hotel in the centre, an apartment or a large resort along the coast.
Sun, sea and beach under the palms
Sal is the island for a true sun, sea and beach holiday. You get more than 350 days of sunshine a year, miles of white sandy beaches lined with beach bars, and at Santa Maria you simply walk into the calm, clear sea for a swim. Lying under the palms, a drink on the beach and watching the sun set over the sea: that is a holiday on Sal.
The sea water is around 25 °C on average, and from August to October it is often 28 °C and up to 29 °C. Because it hardly ever rains, the heat is dry: the cooling trade wind keeps it pleasant, never too hot and never cold, and in the evening it cools down a few degrees.
How to choose where to stay
- Boutique hotel in the centre: within walking distance of the square, the beach, the pier, restaurants and beach bars. Ideal if you want to do everything on foot.
- Apartment: great for longer stays or if you want to cook yourself; many apartments are in and around Santa Maria.
- Resort along the coast: everything in one place, but often further from the centre.
Resort or boutique hotel?
On Sal you broadly choose between an all inclusive resort and a boutique hotel. Both are safe, and with either one you can arrange a transfer from the airport. It mostly comes down to what you prefer.
All inclusive resort
The resorts are a 15 to 20 minute walk outside the centre of Santa Maria. Everything is taken care of, but it is mass tourism.
- Pros: plenty of entertainment and facilities, such as several swimming pools.
- Cons: often twice the price, busy, and large dining halls with less atmosphere.
Boutique hotel
The boutique hotels are around the centre of Santa Maria. If you want to stay for less and get more of a feel for Cape Verde, a boutique hotel is the one to choose.
- Pros: small scale with no mass tourism, more variety in food, and you step out of the hotel straight into the local atmosphere. The price is often half that of an all inclusive resort.
How to book
Most holidaymakers book flight and resort together through a tour operator. If you go for a boutique hotel, you book the flight and the hotel separately. Compare flights to Sal.
Is a resort or a boutique hotel better on Sal? It depends on what you prefer. A resort offers plenty of entertainment and several pools, but is often twice the price and busy. A boutique hotel is around the centre of Santa Maria, small scale and often half the price.
Our partner hotels in Santa Maria
Damfjord Boutique Hotel, a 3 star boutique hotel on Rua das Salinas, in the heart of Santa Maria and a 5 minute walk from the beach. With an outdoor pool and terrace, air conditioned rooms with free wifi, a generous breakfast and an airport shuttle on request. Guests especially praise the location, the breakfast and the friendly owners.
Price per night: from € 110 for 2 people
Prices can change. Please check the current price and availability with the hotel yourself.
Hotel Central Santa Maria, a hotel with 24 rooms on Rua das Salinas, right in the middle of Santa Maria. The town square is a 5 minute walk and the beach is close by. Every room is decorated differently and has a balcony, air conditioning and free wifi. There is a rooftop terrace with a view, its own restaurant, a 24 hour front desk and multilingual staff. Breakfast is included and an airport shuttle is available for a fee.
Price per night: from € 133 for 2 people
Prices can change. Please check the current price and availability with the hotel yourself.
Staying longer?
Want to live on Sal for a few months, or rent or buy a home? The Huefter Group acts as your agent and helps with renting, buying and all the paperwork. Book a free intake call via WhatsApp: +238 597 56 78.
Frequently asked questions about where to stay
Where is the best place to stay on Sal? In or around Santa Maria: the beach, restaurants and beach bars are within walking distance.
Hotel or apartment? A boutique hotel in the centre is handy for a short holiday; an apartment is great for a longer stay.
Can The Huefter Group help with a home? Yes, we act as agent for renting and buying on Sal.
Read also
- Things to do and activities on Sal, Cape Verde
- Book activities on Sal, Cape Verde: kitesurfing, catamaran, buggy and more
- ☀ Temperature on Sal, Cape Verde: weather by month
- Is Cape Verde safe? Yes, especially on Sal
- Watersports on Sal, Cape Verde: kitesurfing, wing foiling and surfing
- The best beaches on Sal, Cape Verde
- Excursions on Sal, Cape Verde