Top Things to do in Santa Maria
What to do and see in Santa Maria, Ilha do Sal: The Best Tours
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. Private Half-Day Island Tour with Shark watching experience from Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3 reviews
Get to know the life, the culture and the history of the Cape Verdeans while discovering the highlights of Sal with an exclusive tour. Starting with the best beaches, the natural swimming pools of Burracona, the mirage of Terra Boa, the volcano, and shark watching. Maximum capacity is 4 persons per vehicle.
Inclusions: Driver/professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Souvenirs (available to purchase), Drinks, Entrance fees to Salinas of Pedra de Lume 5 euro, Entrance fees to Burracona 3 euro
Reviewed By Jakub K
Nothing to add. Those buggies are awesome! Thank you guys :) the 2h is more than enough to enjoy all the adrenaline. Chips our guide ;)
2. Relaxing Massages
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
We offer a variety of massages. There are massages ranging from 30 minutes up to 90 minutes. We offer relaxing massages and deep tissue massages. Relax massage consists of a soft pressure treatment. This type of massage is perfect for the relaxation of the body and mind. Deep Tissue massage consists of a treatment that zeroes in on the muscle, with pressure and rapid change of grip. This type of massage is perfect for people with pain and blockages. But also for people who are looking for a more powerful massage. Hot Stone massage is perfect for the ones who prefer a warm massage. The warmth of the stones creates pleasure for the body and mind. The goal of the Hot Stone massage is to stretch out your muscles and leave you with a relaxed mind.
Inclusions: Certified Guide
Exclusions:
Reviewed By 978vanessab
Went for a massage last week while on holiday with my teenage daughter. Booked the massage with a guy on the beach and was wondering if I'd done the right thing! Needn't have worried, salon owner picked us up from the hotel at the arranged time. Took us to the salon for our massage. Lovely salon, clean, professional, staff very friendly. After the massage the owner dropped us back to the hotel. Definitely recommend this company rather than using the hotel spa as the money goes directly to a local business rather than a big hotel chain. My daughter loved her first ever proper massage!
3. Private Island Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Cabral Tours provides fantastic personal service, such as showing the main attraction points.Provides all the knowledge about Cape Verdian history and culture.On top of that people have the opportunity to experience the feel of the island too, by swimming in the natural pools,seeing the wild nature and eat/drink the local authentic food.
Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle
Exclusions: Dinner, All Fees and Taxes
Reviewed By elinnile95
It was a great day, interesting places and a really good guide. He really made sure that everybody was fine, and he really knew what he was talking about.
4. Salt: Experience with sea turtles
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 7 reviews
Cape Verde is important in the North Atlantic for sea turtles. Currently populations of 3 species and individuals of 2 others can be found. The yellow or common tortoise (Caretta caretta) is the most common species in Cape Verde. They will have differentiated for more than 10 million years. They are living dinosaurs! Sea turtles reach sexual maturity at 15-30 years of age. Postures almost always occur at night. Every 2-3 years, a female returns to the beach where she hatched to lay her eggs. She digs a well, lays about 60 to 170 eggs, buries the eggs, disguises the area of the well and her body to confuse predators and returns to the sea. The puppies will dig their way into the ocean. We make small group excursions to live this unique and magical experience in the best atmosphere and respecting nature following the guidelines of biologists. We are a group of local professionals trained to provide you with a good experience.
Inclusions: Private transportation, Certified Guide, Round-trip transfer from hotel / accommodation, Liability insurance
Exclusions: Baby seat (0-2 years) mandatory 15 extra
Reviewed By 587ariannaz
My boyfriend and I did a tour in Sal start of December. We booked this tour to get a general impression of the island. First of all the tour itinerary has been put together very well - you can see all highlight spots of the island. Second we had a fantastic guide, that can speak very well English and who is very easy going, cheerful and chatty. We enjoyed a lot the time spent together with the tour guide, who ensured we had the best experience on the island. For example he arranged we could taste some local wine and rhum at a bar of a friend. But the most amazing thing was that he arranged a private entrance to the Salinas, which at that time were closed for tourists. This experience has been amazing and we thank him a ton for this unique experience. Last also he was not strict with the time of the excursion at all and i believe we extended the duration of at least 1 hour. Had the best time on the island!!! Thanks a lot!!!
5. Complete Excursion and Flight on the Zipline Cabo Verde
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Zipline Cabo Verde is an incredible attraction and is new for 2021. A unique excursion in the whole island of Sal and is a mix of adrenaline, beautiful landscapes, sports and fun. Recommended for everyone without age limits !!! With Zipline Cabo Verde you will be able to see the Island of Sal from another point of view, because on the top of the mountain you reach an "earthly paradise". You will also have the opportunity to have a relaxing aperitif before the flight with local snacks and drinks and music at 100 meters high !!! Fantastic!!! Finally the feeling of flying like an eagle over the ocean !!! This is Zipline Cabo Verde !!!!
Inclusions: Private transportation, Kit Zipline ( Helmet, Arnes, Pulley ), Aperitif on the top of the mountain 100 mt hight, Music
Exclusions: Rent Action Cam
Reviewed By Petrovich82
Highly recommended to visit! Great team, great service and perfect emotions! You need around 2 hours for everything, transfer, food and drinks included in 45 euro per person. Thanks guys!
6. Electric Beach Bike All Terrain Guided Tour in Sal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 90 reviews
Explore every corner of Sal Island with the famous RED ELECTRIC BEACH BIKES TOUR around the south of the island! This unique outdoor excursion takes you to the hidden salt mines, dramatic white-sand beaches with turquoise sea and vibrant Santa Maria neighborhoods full of color and originality. Along the way, stop for a dip in the sea and snap photos of the breathtaking scenery. See more of Sal Island in a electric beach bike we guarantee it will be the highlight of your holiday.
Inclusions: Insurance, Local guide, Map, Use of e-bike, Use of helmet
Exclusions: Food and drinks, unless specified, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By johnvincent
We 70 and 63 haven't been on a bike in 10 years or more what fun, a must try. I booked this as a surprise for my myself and my wife. What a great time we had being guided by one of the guys from the shop around the sights.
7. 4h SSV Buggy Island Adventure 4WD
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 88 reviews
Venture into Buggy Island Adventure for 4-hours on a coast to coast, off-road and guided Island adventure. Get to know all the highlights of Sal within a 500cc automatic Buggy. Explore beautiful sand dunes, visit Serra Negra, the natural reserve of the island. Witness the mirage by traveling to Terra Boa. This tour is limited to 16 passengers with a limit of 2 passengers per buggy.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Local guide, Bottled water, Suit, Helmet, Belt and Glasses
Exclusions: Souvenir photos (available to purchase), Entrance fees to Burracona (3, Drinks, Transfer NOT INCLUDED from Murdeira Village, Shoes for the water (rental available) for Shark Bay
Reviewed By Jakub K
Nothing to add. Those buggies are awesome! Thank you guys :) the 2h is more than enough to enjoy all the adrenaline. Chips our guide ;)
8. Segway Tour of Santa Maria
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 18 reviews
A beautiful eco experience around Santa Maria village on 2 tires. Discover the desert and the beaches of the south.
Inclusions: All taxes, fees and handling charges, Use of helmet, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Exclusions: Souvenir photos, Transfer NOT INCLUDED from Murdeira Village
Reviewed By Jakub K
Nothing to add. Those buggies are awesome! Thank you guys :) the 2h is more than enough to enjoy all the adrenaline. Chips our guide ;)
9. Half day sailing trips
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 13 reviews
With a great passion for sailing and nature our Crew always do everything to give everyone the best holiday experience
Inclusions: Alcoholic Beverages, Bottled water, Snacks, Soda/Pop, Use of Snorkelling equipment
Exclusions:
Reviewed By Kobaliluka
Amazingly organised, and so so much fun! Booked a day out on the catamaran, and spend the day sailing up the coast of Sal which is absolutely beautiful. Lucas and Max were both amazing, and so welcoming. Would love to come back again!
10. Horse Riding in Sal Island - Cabo Verde
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 269 reviews
Uncover Sal Island on horseback with a savvy guide. As an experienced rider, you will find happiness on horseback at the highest level. As a beginner, you are warmly welcome by our gentle horses. Ride along the white sandy beaches of Sal island, wander through the Salt Mines and leave your traks on the sandy desert. All the rides start and finish at our stables, where you can meet our horses and get familiar with them before you start riding. Small-group format with multiple guides ensures a personalized experience. Hotel transfer service (pick up & drop off), Helmets and Insurance are included in the prices. Comprehensive Safety Briefing prior the Ride.
Inclusions: Local taxes, Professional guide, Hotel pickup and drop-off, Use of helmet, insurance
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 32katharinec
We were 2 friends, one complete beginner to riding and one with a small amount of experience. We did the 1 hour ride to the salt flat. We had a great time, the ride was easy and slow, just what we wanted. Some nervous people had their horses led, handled really well. The staff were all very good, and we got some wonderful photos. Really recommend!
