Boa Vista
Go for wide beaches, a dry desert interior and a slow pace, with sea turtles and wind sports on the coast.
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Boa Vista is the easternmost island of Cabo Verde, a volcanic archipelago off the coast of West Africa. The island is flat and dry, with wide sand beaches, desert plains around Viana in the interior, and the fishing town of Sal Rei on the northwest coast. Praia de Chaves holds the main resort hotels, and the sea is the main draw for most trips.
The island suits a beach holiday with room for desert drives, wind sports and wildlife. Loggerhead turtles nest on its sandy beaches, and conservation projects run guided night visits. Steady trade winds make it a base for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Expect sun, heat and wind with little shade. Plan for the dry season, roughly November to June, when rain is least likely. Three or four days covers Sal Rei, the dunes and two or three beaches.
Boa Vista in five
- Carry escudos for Sal ReiCash in Cape Verdean escudos covers markets, small restaurants and many taxis in Sal Rei. Hotels and larger shops are more likely to take cards. Change enough for the days outside your resort.Money and costs
- Rent a 4x4 or book a driverSal Rei can be walked, but the dunes and many beaches lie along sand tracks that a normal car cannot handle. Book a 4x4 with insurance that covers sand, or hire a driver for the day.Getting around
- Get a local SIM or eSIMCoverage is patchy away from town, and the local operators CV Movel and Unitel T+ sell prepaid data. Set up an eSIM or buy a SIM before you leave the airport.Phones and eSIM
- Check surf before you swimThe west and Atlantic beaches often have strong waves and currents. Ask your hotel or driver which bays are safe that day, and do not swim alone on the open coast.
- Book turtle visits through a projectLoggerhead turtles nest on Boa Vista's beaches, and conservation projects run guided night visits. Book through a project that sets rules on lights and distance, and ask which months the visits run.
Things to do in Boa Vista
See all attractions in Boa Vista
Need to know
- Currency
- Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
- Entry
- Visa rules depend on passport; check the official entry page Read more
- Emergency
- 132 police; ask your hotel for ambulance and fire numbers
- Tipping
- Not required; rounding up a small amount is welcome
- Time
- UTC-1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryDry, breezy
- FebruaryDry, breezy
- MarchDry, breezy
- AprilWarm, dry
- MayHot, windy
- JuneHot, windy
- JulyHot, windy
- AugustHot, humid
- SeptemberHot, rain risk
- OctoberRainy spells
- NovemberDry, warming
- DecemberDry, breezy
Right now in Boa Vista
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
25
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 83%
Boa Vista
09:41 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today30°24°83%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 83%.
- Tue28°23°46%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Wed29°23°27%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 27%.
- Thu29°23°12%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 12%.
- Fri29°26°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 29°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat30°25°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun32°25°0%Sunday: Clear. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 07:40 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 98.8 CVE
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Deserto de Vianaabout 30 to 60 min by 4x4 from Sal ReiAn inland dune field, best reached with a driver who knows the tracks.
- Praia de Santa Mónicaabout 30 min to 1 hour by 4x4 from Sal ReiA quiet beach for a full day, with few services, so bring water and food.
- Salabout 30 to 40 min by planeAnother island reached by air, with more hotels and flights. A short visit fits a Boa Vista trip.Read the guide
Before you go to Boa Vista
Rules for Boa Vista, checked
- Visa and passport rules depend on your nationality; check the UK government entry page before you book.Source
- Before you sign for a hire car, check that the insurance covers sand tracks and that your licence is accepted.
- At turtle nesting beaches, follow the guide's rules on torches, flash and distance, since light can disorient hatchlings.
Plan around Boa Vista
Islands, ferries and entry rules across the archipelago
Read the guideWhere to staySal Rei, the beach resort areas and quiet guesthouses
Read the guideGetting aroundCar hire, taxis and sand tracks to the beaches
Read the guideMoney and costsEscudos, cards and typical daily costs
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa and what to check before you fly
Read the guidePhones and eSIMMobile data options and coverage away from town
Read the guideBoa Vista FAQ
How many days do you need in Boa Vista?
Three or four days covers Sal Rei, the dunes and two or three beaches. Add a day if you want a guided turtle night.
Do you need a car in Boa Vista?
Yes, for the dunes and beaches away from town. Sal Rei can be walked, but a 4x4 with a driver is the easiest way to reach the sand tracks.
Is Boa Vista better than Sal?
Boa Vista is quieter, with more open beaches and sand tracks. Sal has more hotels, flights and nightlife, so choose Boa Vista for slow days by the sea.
What is the best month to visit Boa Vista?
December to March is the best window, with dry, breezy weather and a cooler feel than late summer.
Can you see sea turtles in Boa Vista?
Yes, loggerhead turtles nest on the island. Book a guided visit through a conservation project, and ask them which months the visits run.