The 8 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal

August 4, 2021 Ying Subia

Powdery sand meets turquoise water in Santa Maria, where morna music pours from beachside bars just a short drive from Ilha do Sal's airport and capital city. Add the sun-and-saltwater resort scene to energetic nightlife, and you get one of Cape Verde’s most popular escapes.
Restaurants in Santa Maria

1. Santa Marilha Horse Excursions

Excellent
94%
Good
5%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 436 reviews

Santa Marilha Horse Excursions

Horse riding excursions with english speaking guides along the wonderful beaches, the salt mines and the natural reserve of Sal Island (Cape Verde). Tailored horseback riding excursions for beginners, intermediate and expert riders. Transfer service from the hotels (pick up & drop off), comprehensive safety briefing, insurance and riding helmets included in the price

2. Djunta Mo Art

Rua 1 de Junho, Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal 4111 Cape Verde +238 594 28 28 [email protected] http://www.djuntamoart.cv
Excellent
91%
Good
9%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 200 reviews

Djunta Mo Art

The Djunta Mo Art project was started on the Island of Sal, Cape Verde, for the purpose of developing a sustainable market in the archipelago and especially, to promote Cape Verde’s art, culture and crafts. Djunta Mo Art is committed to an ethical approach; its main objective is to improve the lives of workers by increasing their access to markets, monitoring that no products are made by exploiting juvenile workers, by paying special attention to environmental problems. We currently have about 40 craftspeople we collaborate with and 2 cooperatives from several areas in the archipelago. Some of them, thanks to our support, are beginning to make a living from their work and are hiring personnel in order to increase output. Djunta Mo Art is also official distributor of the project "Maos de Cabo Verde" (Hands of Cape Verde") which brings together 10 women's cooperatives from Santo Antao, Fogo e Santiago. The project also provides and finances the non-profit Nu Bai Association

Reviewed By Flyer744561

Got a lovely warm welcome at this great little fair trade shop that sells local arts and crafts and supports the local community including organisations that support women and children in Cape Verde. Lovely selection of local crafts made sustainably and ensuring the is no exploitation of juvenile workers. Make sure to pay them a visit

3. Electrica Electric Bikes

Excellent
93%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 197 reviews

Electrica Electric Bikes

Rent an Electric Beach Bike and have fun visiting and exploring the village, surrounding salt mines and beaches. Try our "Guided Tour" and let us take you to unexplored places. All accessories are free (Kids Trolleys/Baby Chair/Surf Rack/Helmets) Or forget all the above and just ride to one of the many desert beaches and relax..!

4. Caramau Tours

Excellent
96%
Good
4%
Satisfactory
0%
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0%
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0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 251 reviews

Caramau Tours

Are you looking for a memorable holiday? You have to come to the right place! Welcome to Caramau Tours! I am Caramau, a born Cape Verdean and a tour guide on Sal since many years. It would be a pleasure for me to show you my little island. I can also give you all the answers to all the questions you might have about Cape Verde. Let’s enjoy a wonderful and unforgettable trip together.

5. Project Biodiversity Turtle Conservation Hatchery

Ponta Preta Beach, Santa Maria Mercado Municipal, local 22, Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal 4111 Cape Verde +238 594 36 52 [email protected] http://www.projectbiodiversity.org/
Excellent
83%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 243 reviews

Project Biodiversity Turtle Conservation Hatchery

Visit Project Biodiversity's Turtle Hatchery on the beach by the Riu Hotel to observe the excavation of Loggerhead sea turtle nests, learn about the conservation of the species and have the chance to see baby Loggerhead turtles. The public activities are during the turtle season, from August until mid-December. 2020 turtle season has officially finished!

Reviewed By CJD99 - Isle of Wight, United Kingdom

Very interesting talk given by volunteers at 5pm each day at hatchery. Saw baby turtles that had hatched that day being dug out of the sand and put into a bucket for transporting to the beach for release. Good work done by these people and a very worthwhile cause.

6. Viveiro, Botanical Garden & Zoo di Terra

Zona da Fatima Island of Sal, Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal 4111 Cape Verde +238 986 60 31 [email protected] http://viveirocaboverde.wixsite.com/viveiro
Excellent
53%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 694 reviews

Viveiro, Botanical Garden & Zoo di Terra

Pachamama Eco Park is not only a beautiful Garden with a lovely bar immerse in peace, but a wonderful botanical animal park, where Flora & Fauna live together in harmony. Come discover this Paradise on the island of Sal! Enjoy a stroll through the paths, pet the animals, have a picnic on the grass...or meditate in our walking-meditation labyrinth It’s also the perfect location for a photo shoot with the family, or for a birthday, or any event: cocktails, baby-shower, engagement parties, weddings, concerts and more! Contact us for any information you might need about our services.

Reviewed By Paulidsa

We expected nothing special from this botanical garden after reading reviews and given deserted views on the island after round trips across the island. When we arrived we saw an oasis with fresh green trees, various tropical species growing happily, and many animals having a good life. We took great photos. The garden is fed by the water which is re-used from hotel sewage. Very clever.

7. Shark Bay

Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal Cape Verde +238 984 48 84 http://www.projectbiodiversity.org
Excellent
36%
Good
33%
Satisfactory
21%
Poor
6%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 422 reviews

Shark Bay

Reviewed By astolata2015

We took a taxi from Santa Maria. 30 Euro and driver waited 30 minutes for us a local guide took us into the water we had our own sea shoes otherwise it’s €2 per pair. Saw lots of baby sharks and then waded out a bit deeper to see fins of the the bigger ones that were about 5m away you can’t get too close though as they might become scared and aggressive. Overall a fabulous experience! ????

8. Annes Info Point

Excellent
95%
Good
3%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 294 reviews

Annes Info Point

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