Sal
Sal is a flat, dry island in Cabo Verde, known for long sandy beaches and steady wind for kitesurfing. Most trips fit into a week.
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Sal is one of the islands of Cabo Verde, an archipelago in the Atlantic off West Africa. The island is flat, dry and sandy, with long beaches and a steady wind. Its international airport, Amílcar Cabral, lies near Espargos, and many hotels are around Santa Maria on the south coast. The name comes from the Portuguese word for salt. The salt pans and the Pedra de Lume crater, an old volcanic crater holding a salt lake, explain it.
Sal suits beach holidays, wind sports and easy day trips. Kitesurfers and windsurfers come for the trade winds, which blow strongest in the cooler months. Swimmers and divers use the bays near Santa Maria. Boat trips and day tours reach quieter villages and the dry interior. Plan four to six days for the beaches and one or two excursions, or a week for a slower pace.
Sal in five
- Set up mobile data before you landBuy a local SIM from CV Movel or Unitel in town, or set up an eSIM before you fly. Maps and taxi bookings need mobile data.Phones and eSIM
- Carry escudos in cashMany hotels and larger restaurants take cards, but taxis and small shops often want cash in Cape Verdean escudos. Withdraw enough for the first days before you leave the airport area.Money and costs
- Agree the taxi fare before you get inSettle the fare before you get in, especially from the airport. Ask your hotel what the usual fare is to where you are going.Getting around
- Check your entry status before you bookEntry rules depend on your passport, and visa-free or visa-on-arrival status can differ between nationalities. Check the official entry information before you buy flights.Visas and entry
- Confirm your insurance covers wind sportsKitesurfing and windsurfing are a main reason to visit Sal, and some standard policies exclude them. Check the activities list before you buy.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
- Entry
- Visa-free or visa on arrival for many passports; check first
- Emergency
- 132 police; 130 ambulance
- Tipping
- Not required; round up or leave a small tip in restaurants
- Time
- UTC-1, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryCool, windy
- FebruaryDry, windy
- MarchDry, windy
- AprilWarm, windy
- MayWarm, windy
- JuneHot, windy
- JulyHot, dry
- AugustHot, dry
- SeptemberHot, showers
- OctoberWarm, quiet
- NovemberWarm, calm
- DecemberCool, dry
Right now in Sal
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
26
- Feels like
- 29°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 11 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 10%
Sal
11:04 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°23°10%Monday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Tue31°23°14%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Wed29°24°64%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 64%.
- Thu30°25°47%Thursday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
- Fri30°26°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 30°, Low 26°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Sat32°25°0%Saturday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Sun33°25°0%Sunday: Clear. High 33°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 0%.
Updated 08:44 PM local time · 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
- Pedra de LumeBy car from Santa MariaA salt crater with a lake and salt flats, best seen with a driver.Read the guide
- EspargosBy car from Santa MariaThe island's main town, for shops and banks.Read the guide
- PalmeiraBy car from Santa MariaA fishing harbour and seafood restaurants near the airport.Read the guide
Before you go to Sal
Rules for Sal, checked
- Check visa or entry status for your passport on your government's travel advice page before you book, since rules change.
- Drive on the right, and check that your car rental insurance covers the roads and tracks you plan to use.
Plan around Sal
Islands, travel and the national picture
Read the guideWhere to stay on SalSanta Maria, Espargos and the airport side
Read the guideGetting around SalTaxis, car hire and the airport transfer
Read the guideMoney and costsEscudos, cards and cash for daily spending
Read the guideVisas and entryPassport rules and how to check your status
Read the guideTours and ticketsSalt crater tours and island day trips
Read the guideSal FAQ
How many days do you need on Sal?
Four to six days covers the beaches, a salt crater visit and a wind-sport lesson. Sal is small and flat, so a week is enough for most trips.
Do you need a car on Sal?
Not for the beaches around Santa Maria, which are a short taxi ride away. A car or tour helps if you want the salt crater, Espargos and the quieter coast.
Is Sal good for kitesurfing and windsurfing?
Yes, it is one of Cabo Verde's main wind-sport islands, with steady winds for much of the year. Beginners should book a lesson with an established school.
What language is spoken on Sal?
Portuguese is the official language, and Cape Verdean Creole is the everyday language of most people. Many hotel and tour staff also speak English.
Can you visit Pedra de Lume without a tour?
Yes, by taxi or rental car. Confirm the route and cost with your driver before you set off.